Pool owners: How long do you run the pump? (Phoenix: how much, house)

[HX_Guy]

We have our pool pump set to run for a total of 4 hours a day, split into two shifts.

Do you guys have it running more? Less? The same?

What's the best way to determine how much time it needs to run?

[AZBigJ]

I run mine from 10pm until 6am daily. I thought someone mentioned it has to due with the pool temp. Something like 4 hours plus one hour for every ten degrees over 60F. I have a play pool with a salt chlorinator.

[kdog]

There are a lot of variables, and yes, including temperature that help determine how long to run your pump. One way is to start off with a long run time, say 12 hours for a few weeks. At that point your pool should be pristine. Become very familiar with how things look, with particular emphasis on water clarity. Look at your water at night with the pool light on. That shows everything. Any algae growth would also be a bad sign. Then subtract an hour or two and observe water quality again for a couple of weeks. When the pool or water starts looking crappy, increase it till it's good again.

I've heard tell that you want at least one full turn over of water each day. So that's another guideline. Of course determining how many GPH you are actually getting out of your system could be very difficult. I believe most pool systems are sized to turn over the water in the vicinity of once per eight hours.

[fotoverdi]

our pool company advised to start with 4 hours a day.

[RAZZEL]

Lived in Phoenix mostly all of my life and always had a pool-10 hours per night was the norm for us and never had any problems. Had a Shasta and Paddock- Why don't you call your pool builder and see what they recommend? All filters have different run times depending on the type you have.

[Vinny536]

roughly what does a pool cost a month in utilities and maintenance? Assuming you maintain it yourself.

[AZBigJ]

Originally Posted by 61scout80

roughly what does a pool cost a month in utilities and maintenance? Assuming you maintain it yourself.

Not exactly sure what the cost of the pool alone is, but we moved into our home in south Gilbert last July (1675 sq ft single story w/ salt pool) and our electric bill ran from $250 in the summer down to $110 in the winter. We run the pool about 8 or so hours per day at night and we keep the house at 78* in the summer months and 73* during the winter.

I do my our maintenance which on a salt pool is very easy (just dumping in some acid weekly).

[RAZZEL]

Originally Posted by 61scout80

roughly what does a pool cost a month in utilities and maintenance? Assuming you maintain it yourself.

Lived in Gilbert (3500 sq ft) 2 story-my utilities were on averaging w/ SRP and i paid $215 per month. Chlorine, water, ect was approximately $150-$200 per month depending on the monsoon and evaporation of pool water. I think a pool is necessary. We used ours quite frequently-even when it felt like bath water-used the aerator and it did not make a huge difference. Oh, we also had a spa. Hope this helps.

[Vinny536]

thanks for the input. I might plan to have one installed for next summer. I just want to make sure the its not going to cost more to maintain it than the amount of enjoyment I'll get out of it.