+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 17

Thread: Best time to run the pumps?

  1. #1
    slowtan is offline ** No working email address ** slowtan 0
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Houston, TX, USA.
    Posts
    33

    Default Best time to run the pumps?

    I was told by the pool guys that I should run the pumps during the hottest time of the day.

    I was reading in another post that electricity service is cheaper at night so that is why they run the pumps at night.


    18' round , 54" high , DE filter , 1 speed 1HP pump

    I live in TX so you know it is hot down here.

    I will be switching to the 3 B's this year as soon as I finish using my old stuff from last year.

    Stephen

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    Connecticut.
    Posts
    115

    Default

    Ive always preferred to run my pump during the day. I havent proven it helps any, but my pool has sun on it from 7am to about 5pm, so Id rather keep everything circulating during the really hot/sunny times to avoid the water growing stuff because its stagnant.

    I dont start right at 7am, and I let the pump run until a little into the evening hours, because its better to add chlorine when its not sunny out so I do that after the sun goes down and then the pump runs for a couple hours to circulate the new chlorine.

    -Chris

  3. #3
    waterbear's Avatar
    waterbear is offline Lifetime Member Sniggle Mechanic waterbear 4 stars waterbear 4 stars waterbear 4 stars waterbear 4 stars
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    St. Augustine, Fl
    Age
    70
    Posts
    3,743

    Default

    I run my pool (6600 gal fibeglass) for about 5 hours during the late moring and early afternonn, then my 300 gal spa for about 3 hours, and the pool again in the evening after the spa for 3 hours. This allows my heatpump to heat the pool and spa and my swg time to maintain mu chlorine levels.

  4. #4
    cajunfla is offline ** No working email address ** Thread Analyst cajunfla 0
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
    Posts
    50

    Default

    I run my FG pool (6000 gals) about 4 hours a day, 1am to 5 am. I have been told to run it JUST enough to circulate the total gallons thru your filter. Have not touched my pool since early November, and it is still crystal clear. No cover, in-line puck chlorinator.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    Katy, TX
    Posts
    336

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by slowtan
    I was reading in another post that electricity service is cheaper at night so that is why they run the pumps at night.
    If I had a dollar for every time I heard this....I'd have a lot of dollars!!

    Only some utilities give you reduced rates for off-peak usage. If your wattmeter on your house doesn't have a time clock on it, the power company has no idea of when you are using power.

    Michael

  6. #6
    kaybinster Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by mwsmith2
    If I had a dollar for every time I heard this....I'd have a lot of dollars!!

    Only some utilities give you reduced rates for off-peak usage. If your wattmeter on your house doesn't have a time clock on it, the power company has no idea of when you are using power.

    Michael
    That is true, but they (at least here in NJ) will gladly install a time-of-day meter for you at no cost. You can see how it works, and if you don't like it you can switch back to regular service for no charge. Once you switch back you can not make a change for 365 days.

    As far as circulating during the day or at night, I have done it exclusively at night for 8 years and have never had anything grow in my pool.

  7. #7
    slowtan is offline ** No working email address ** slowtan 0
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Houston, TX, USA.
    Posts
    33

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by kaybinster
    That is true, but they (at least here in NJ) will gladly install a time-of-day meter for you at no cost. You can see how it works, and if you don't like it you can switch back to regular service for no charge. Once you switch back you can not make a change for 365 days.

    As far as circulating during the day or at night, I have done it exclusively at night for 8 years and have never had anything grow in my pool.

    I have been switching light company's alot lately because of the difference in rates but I will call them and ask about time of day meter.

  8. #8
    duraleigh Guest

    Default

    I'm mildly surprised no one has suggested running more than once a day. If you feel your system needs to run 6 hours each day, why not split that into three 2-hour sessions.

    That's what has always made sense to me.

    Dave S.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    11

    Default

    Most Time of day rates penalize you if you use power duirng the power companies peak times. Since pools are used during the hot seasons just like your a/c is, the money you save by running your pool pump at night or other off-peak times might be negated by your a/c. The power companies carrot for theTOD rate is cheap power at off peak times but much higher rate for what you use during their on-peak times.

    Before you switch your rate from a GA rate to a TOD rate, make sure your power usage does not peak at the same time the power companies does. If it does then you are better off with the GA (general or standard) rate.

    To use a TOD rate you have to make sure your usage will be at the lowest when the power companies is at their highest. Thats hard to do in residence with folks home during the day unless they are willing to cut the a/c off between 8AM and 6PM. These are the peak times in my area during the summer.
    Last edited by mrduffin; 03-30-2006 at 09:19 PM.

  10. #10
    kaybinster Guest

    Default

    Its not as hard as you might think. Remember weekends are all offpeak. If you are home during the day you are right it may be hard. But if you are at work it should be very easy. You have to do the math, every situation is different.

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Long Time Lurker, First Time Poster
    By MikeD in forum Dealing with Algae & Slime
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 08-04-2012, 08:26 AM
  2. CAUTION Leaf Pool Pumps or Eco Pool Pumps or Spectra UV
    By mrrparker in forum The China Shop
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 04-07-2012, 04:31 PM
  3. Long time reader, first time author
    By j_stewart89 in forum General Interest
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-06-2012, 06:05 PM
  4. Pumps to big I think...
    By bell7272 in forum Pool Equipment & Operations
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 06-13-2007, 11:03 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts