How long you should run your pool pump for

By Clark Rubber | 17th October, 2019

How long should I run my pool pump for?

Whether you live in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or other locations Australia-wide, swimming pool maintenance is important all year round. Even if you're not using your pool in the winter, you should still be running the pumps every day to keep your pool clean and prevent algae build-up that can be difficult to remove.

Pool pumps have two major functions: filtering dirt and debris and producing chlorine. You need to run pumps long enough to clean and chlorinate the entire pool. Some pumps switch off automatically when the optimal level of chlorine is reached, but others need to be set manually.

If you're not sure how long to run a pool pump for, follow this general guide to recommended pool pump hours and adjust according to your own circumstances.

Average pump times

In general, pool pumps in Australia should be run for approximately

8 hours per day in summer
4 hours per day in winter

However, this is only an average and your situation may be different.

How long to run the pool pump calculator

The main factor that affects pump times is the volume of your pool (length x width x depth). Most backyard swimming pools are between 40,000 and 100,000 litres in volume.

Once you know this figure, you can compare it to the output of your pump to work out the minimum hours it needs to run. For example, a 60,000 litre pool with a pump running at 200 litres per minute should be run for 300 minutes (5 hours).

Other factors to consider

As well as pool size, your pumping needs may vary based on:

the size and type of pool pump you have
whether you have a pool cover
how much foliage is surrounding the pool
whether the pool is shaded or exposed to the sun
your local climate
how many people use the pool and how often
whether swimmers shower before entering the pool

An uncovered swimming pool that has more exposure to dirt, debris and sunlight will usually have a longer daily pumping cycle than a covered pool.

How to reduce pumping time

If running the pump for so long each day has you worried about your energy bills, there could be ways to reduce the time needed without compromising a clean swimming pool.

If you think you might be running your pump for too long, try to reduce pumping time by an hour. Check the water quality after a week to see if there's any noticeable difference. If not, you can try to reduce it by another 30–60 minutes until you find the ideal level.

Keeping your pool clean by running and vacuums will lighten the load on the pump and help it to last longer. You should also clean the filters once or twice a week and install a pool cover if you haven't already.

Search our online catalogue to find all the pool equipment or maintenance accessories you need to keep your swimming pool in perfect shape all year round, or find your nearest Clark Rubber store.