How long to run filter pump - Winter/Summer?

[dcsmith]

Yes, I have read numerous threads in this forum on the subject and yes, the pool supply guy recommended daily "two times" turnover. I'm guessing this is to sell more supplies.

I live in Ocala, FL and have a good sized pool as you can see in the signature block. I also have a screen cage. I do have dwarf orange trees near the pool that occasionally drop leaves in the pool during the Winter. Other than that, no debris except for slight dust & pollen.

I am currently running the filter pump six hours a day, every day during the Winter. I was running the filter pump ten hours a day during the Summer. Is this overkill? I do have VSPs and the power drain is not too bad. However, if I can cut the runtime down, it would be a great help. Note I do have a SWG (IC-60) that is running only 10% during the Winter to keep the Cl level at 3.75 (currently).

 

[Jimrahbe]

Dave,

You can run an IntelliFlo pump 24/7 for less than $20 bucks a month, so no matter what you do, it will not affect your electrical bill very much.

The minimum time you need to run your pump is whatever time it takes to generate the amount of chlorine you need and to provide the amount of skimming that you need. Since you have a screen room, skimming should not be much of an issue.

I see you have an IFCS, so I should add that into the equation. My guess is that the time you need to run the IFCS is probably more than it would take to make the chlorine you need, so that might be your minimum.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[dcsmith]

OK. For the Winter I have dropped back to 4 hours. We'll see how it goes.

 

[kul]

I run my pump four hours (6am-10am) during cooler months (October-May) and 6 hours (6am-12pm) during warmer months (June-September). On days where we are using the pool I run it a little extra while we are using the pool. This has worked fine for me for about a year now.