Express Pool Care, service contractors explain how to choose a swimming pool pump

If you’re a new swimming pool owner or if you’re having your swimming pool upgraded and renovated, you may be wondering how to choose a swimming pool pump. There are many considerations and your swimming pool service contractor from Express Pool Care explain the nuances of pool pumps and how to choose the one that is right for your swimming pool.

This is no one not a one size fits when it comes to choosing a swimming pool pump because there are myriad factors to take into consideration. Your pool contractor will explain you need a pump that is big enough to the its job, but not one that is too big as to be inefficient. In order to understand the intricacies of a pool pump you need ot know what it does, how and why. The pool pump is the heart of your pool. It is responsible for circulating the water throughout the entire pool. It pushes the water from the pool and into the filter, where debris is removed. The water is then pumped back into the pool.

How to choose a swimming pool pump

Having the largest pool pump on the market isn’t necessary. Choose a pool pump that is “just right.”

You need to “turn over” your pool water at least twice in a 24 hour period, you need to calculate the gallonss per minute against the number of gallons of water in your pool and find a pump that meets the specifications. The calculations are a breeze for a pool contractor.

Here is an example of how to calculate the size pool pump you will need:

  • The pool holds 20,000 gallons of water
  • To turn it over twice a day you need a pump that can handle 40,000 gallons a day
  • Look for a pool pump with a gallons per minute ratio that allows for a 40,000 gallon turnover in 24 hours. For 40,000 gallons you will need to circulate 1,667 gallons per hour; now take your 1,667 gallons per hour and divide that by 60 minutes and you will need to circulate 27.8 gallons per minute — the pump you purchase should have a rating that allows you to do just that
  • Another item to consider though is this is based on a 24-hour run cycle for your pool pump. If you want to run the pump for eight or twelve hours, you and your pool contractor will want to recalculate for the actual number of hours you will run the pump daily
There are some pool owners and pool contractors who feel it’s beneficial to run the pump constantly,b ut this could be a personal preference. Talk with your pool contractor to determine whether the benefits outweigh any disadvantages. Run the pool at night when the draw on the energy grid is less and electricity costs may be lower.