I'm somewhat lazier--I turn mine on when I get home from work in the morning, and off when I leave for work at night (or go to bed, on my off days). So I guess it averages 8 or 9 AM to 6 or 7 pm. The exception to this is during the hottest part of the summer, because I'm in Louisiana and my pool temp right now is in the 90's (read: hot tub) so I turn it on when I leave at night and off in the morning. Helps cool the water.

Janet