Do you have your filter on a timer?

[Anonymous [GDPR] European in Spain]

Watermom, perhaps you could get a program to allow "virtual swimming" that way you could save washing towels etc.:-)

[drband]

I run my filter 24/7 is this bad?

No, it's not "bad" but it costs you a great deal more in electricity.

I have a 2-speed-converted 1 hp superpump that I run only on low 24/7. It's as cheap as running a regular speed pump on 8 hours of timer. Definitely use a timer if you don't have a 2-speed or variable speed. You might even want to do so if you have a low speed option, though most of the saving comes from getting off the high speed pump. I use a standard intermatic pump timer when I choose to run the pump on a schedule-- never have to worry about it!

[392papa]

Drband,

What did you have to do to convert you pump to a 2 speed? Just change out the motor?

[PoolDoc]

Timers are required in "We're your nanny" areas of the country, like California, as a means of enforcing energy savings.

[CarlD]

Carl, why would it be part of the building code and required? That seems strange to me. My timer is also wired into my breaker box but I'm not using it too much these days. My geeky friend Poconos installed some kind of outlet control software on my laptop when he was here visiting one time that allows me to turn my pool pump on and off from my computer. How is that for the ultimate in laziness!

I'll have to look into that!

I don't know why it's code, but it is. And codes about pools are enforced to a very high level. We couldn't build a balcony off our bedroom until we clipped the corners off it and slid it over so that a 10' radius from the corner of the pool couldn't reach the balcony...fear of someone trying to jump from the balcony to the pool? I don't know, but every part of the balcony had to be 10' or more from the water!

I couldn't build the pool closer than 50' to the property line because TECHNICALLY it's attached to the house (it's attached to the deck)...but had it been free-standing, with a path rather than a deck to it, I could have gone to 20' of the property line. I also had to have it parallel to the house, not perpendicular...then my back-fence neighbor was allowed to build THEIR pool perpendicular!

Sometimes, building codes just "are"--can't even put a "nanny state" spin on them because THAT at least has SOME logic, whether you agree with it or not. We have codes that have no discernible reason for existing, but you just have to follow them anyway!

[drband]

Drband,

What did you have to do to convert you pump to a 2 speed? Just change out the motor?

Just changed out the motor. The impeller works just fine. Be sure to change all the seals if you do this! There are a couple of ways to wire this though. I opted for a motor mounted toggle switch for hi/off/low, since I primarily run on low except for vacuuming. You can wire it for an external 2-speed controller (expensive) or for an external switch (I believe it's called a single-pole double-throw switch) that works like the motor switch. You can still use an intermatic timer with that type of switch. Good luck.

[392papa]

Thanks, I'll get to work on it

[Gretzky99]

does it matter what time of day you have the timer set for?

[PoolDoc]

2x per day is better than 1; in our area, having an evening run to catch debris from thunder storms (if any) is important.

Just noticed the DE filter -- many DE filters do not handle cycling super well. You'd be better off with a 2-speed pump.

[Leehicks79]

My pump only has one speed. I have been running it 24/7. Will an outdoor timer for Christmas lights work? No codes where I live.