We get reduced rates between 21:00 and 09:00 and all weekend, from 21:00 Friday to 09:00 Monday. I run my pump for 8 hrs at night. I also turn it on for an hour after the dogs have been swimming to collect the hair off the surface. On weekends I do the vacuuming and backwashing.

My pump is a 2-speed and runs on low at night. I only use the high setting when I do maintenance.

How long to run it? Honest answer? I don't know It depends on so many factors. I once tried to figure out how long it takes for one complete turn-over of water in my pool and it so boggled my mind that I gave up.

I'm very precise in my response to water test results, i.e., adding the appropriate chemicals in proper amounts. As to how long to run the pump I go by how the water and the pool bottom looks. The 8 hours are enough for my system to skim everything off the surface and circulate/filter the water sufficiently to keep algae from growing and dirt from collecting.

I think it's one of those YMMV things.

Anna