Why run your pump 24/7??

Jump to latest Follow Reply
M

MLG0303

Member
Jan 16, 2025
7
Melbourne, FL
Jimrahbe said:
NTX,

I have a 3 HP IntelliFlo that is about five feet from my head when I am in bed. It is impossible to hear the pump, even when I try..

It runs 24/7/365, mostly at 1200 rpm. You have to almost touch it, just to make sure it is still running..

It is just one of the advantages of having a large VS pump. They still move a lot of water at low rpms.

My pool equipment is right next to my house. This allowed me to build a shed to protect the equipment.

DSCN0643.JPG

DSCN0643.JPG

Decking for shed

IMG_4124.JPG

IMG_4124.JPG



Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
Jim,

Curious - why do you run your pool 24/7/365? My understanding is the "normal" schedule is something 6- 10 hours per day depending on season....
 
MLG,

I have a saltwater pool and you have to run longer to generate the amount of chlorine the pool needs..

I like making a little chlorine all the time, rather then making a lot of chlorine all at once, then hoping it lasts until the pump comes on again.

I also like skimming all the time.. You won't find junk floating in my pool.. :mrgreen:

I like the look of my pool when there is a little motion to the water.

The cost for me to run 24/7, mostly at 1200 rpm, is less than $20 bucks a month, and I have an old 3 HP IntelliFlo pump. Newer pumps are much more energy efficient.

Without a shred of proof, I believe that it is much better on the pump to run 24/7, than it is to start and stop it every day. Until just this month, I had three pools, that all had 3 HP IntelliFlo pumps running 24/7/365.. They have been running this schedule for well over 12 years, and the pumps operate today just like the did when they were new.. I recently sold my two rent houses that had pools, so now I just have the one at my house to 'play' with... :)

Many members here run 24/7, others here think I am crazy for running 24/7.. That's ok, as I think they are crazy for not running 24/7... :mrgreen:

It is not a requirement, but it makes me happy and makes my pool maintenance easier.

You should do whatever works best for you.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: MLG0303, twoandadog, DSMinAtlanta and 5 others
You will find that lots of the pool industry and owner actions are stuck in the past.
20 years ago when you had single speed pumps that consumed lots of energy, you would want to limit your run time to a few hours a day.

With my variable speed pump, I can run it 24/7 at low rpms for the same energy usage as a ceiling fan. The benefits to me are:
  • My SWCG is always making chlorine
  • My skimmer is always working so the leaves falling in end up there and not at the bottom of my pool
  • My pump never has to prime and saves wear and tear on the equipment
 
  • Like
Reactions: MLG0303, DSMinAtlanta, Ahultin and 3 others
I'm in the same camp as Jim @Jimrahbe

I had a Hayward EcoStar that lasted almost 10 years. I attribute that to running it 24/7. Many had major issues with the early versions of the EcoStar (mine was an early version) - but most didn't run 24/7. While my experience is not scientific proof that running 24/7 is better than daily (or more) start/stop cycles, I'm sticking with 24/7 pump runtimes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MLG0303, Newdude and Jimrahbe
The skimming struggle is real. You just know that the wind will start up 20 mins after the pump shuts off, and 12+hours is a long time for anything to get waterlogged and sink. Once it's not floating, you need to manually remove it. Skimmers don't pick stuff off the floor.

Filtering needs vary wildly from month to month. You need lots in the spring/fall and very little mid season. But also this rando week in July was real breezy and you needed alot more again. I've never once in 13 years wondered if I was filtering enough.

I also like that with a schedule, I'd forever wonder if the pool ran that day when I saw it off. It doesn't matter when I glance back there, I know it worked today. The dogs can wake me up for an overnight potty break and I can hear it trickling in the pitch dark.

Running 24/7 also removes one variable from SWG production. I only have to adjust the length of runtime for one device, not 2. Then the SWG keeps me topped off around the clock with less FC swing. It doesn't matter what, happens when, from a big storm to an impromptu swim party, I'm covered. If a particularly high UV day hit with the pump/SWG off, my FC might dip too low.

We also prefer the look of the running water.

But all that said, I'm lazy. Like. Gold metal contender in the lazy Olympics.....lazy. So I set the pool up to fiddle with it as little as possible. 24/7 with a SWG is priceless IMO.
 
  • Like
  • Love
  • Haha
Reactions: TProfit, MLG0303, Ahultin and 4 others
NTXpoolboy said:
With the Pentair VS pump, what is the best way to run it 24/7? Do you have a schedule with it set to run 24/7? or no schedule and just manually turn it on and never turn it off?
Click to expand...
It depends on the pump and if you have automation. Most pentair pumps (without automation) have 3 speeds / times you can set.

I tend to get a small bubble in the pump over 24 hours because I run at low speed.

I set speed 1 for 15 minutes at 3000 to clear the bubble, then
Set speed 2 for 12 hours at 1400,
Set speed 3 for 11h45m at 1400.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MLG0303 and Newdude

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
Why run your pump for sporadic intervals?

what are the benefits of that?
 
I run mine at 1500 RPMs because we like the look of the water moving a little more and the bump to 200W is no biggie. That's higher than I need to skim (1100 RPMs / 110W) or run the SWG (700/35) so those are covered by default.

If i want to manually vac, I go press the button a few times to get 2200 RPMs where that works well, then put it back after.

Other than that, I have 2 'times'. Summertime and wintertime. Because lazy. 😁
 
  • Like
Reactions: MLG0303
Jimrahbe said:
MLG,

I have a saltwater pool and you have to run longer to generate the amount of chlorine the pool needs..

I like making a little chlorine all the time, rather then making a lot of chlorine all at once, then hoping it lasts until the pump comes on again.

I also like skimming all the time.. You won't find junk floating in my pool.. :mrgreen:

I like the look of my pool when there is a little motion to the water.

The cost for me to run 24/7, mostly at 1200 rpm, is less than $20 bucks a month, and I have an old 3 HP IntelliFlo pump. Newer pumps are much more energy efficient.

Without a shred of proof, I believe that it is much better on the pump to run 24/7, than it is to start and stop it every day. Until just this month, I had three pools, that all had 3 HP IntelliFlo pumps running 24/7/365.. They have been running this schedule for well over 12 years, and the pumps operate today just like the did when they were new.. I recently sold my two rent houses that had pools, so now I just have the one at my house to 'play' with... :)

Many members here run 24/7, others here think I am crazy for running 24/7.. That's ok, as I think they are crazy for not running 24/7... :mrgreen:

It is not a requirement, but it makes me happy and makes my pool maintenance easier.

You should do whatever works best for you.

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
Thank you Jim and all for the responses! Lots to learn in this new pool era. I am used to my Dad's pool from the early 2000s with single stage pump and traditional chlorination system. I am pleasantly surprised to learn that the new pumps are that efficient.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DSMinAtlanta and Newdude
MLG0303 said:
I am pleasantly surprised to learn that the new pumps are that efficient
Click to expand...
No lie. :) I could run most of the time @35W with a 3 HP pump. It's so cheap we splurge a little higher because we like the look of the water moving more.

Screenshot_20231010_192222_Chrome.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: MLG0303
suzook said:
I'm debating running 24 hrs, but anything below 1200 rpm doesn't seem to actually have the skimmers...well, skim. Tough decisions.
Click to expand...
Try it. 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500 until you get the skimming you like. All will be cheaper than running high speed.

You Got This Good Luck Today GIF by MOODMAN
 
suzook said:
I'm debating running 24 hrs, but anything below 1200 rpm doesn't seem to actually have the skimmers...well, skim. Tough decisions.
Click to expand...
Most need at least 1000 rpm to skim. 1200 is entirley fair IMO and only 110W or so, so it's still a bargain by a mile.
 
  • Like
Reactions: suzook
Suz,

If you looked down into my skimmers you would tell me they are not working..

But my hairnets tell a much different story.. You really don't need a lot of suction to make skimmers work

Skimming is more a function on how well your weir doors are working.. Skimmers.... 'skim' due to how a weir door works and not how much suction you have..

With the pump running at 1200 rpm, look at the weir door and see if water is going over the top of the door.. It kind of pulses.. open a little, closed a little, etc...

One of the great things about running 24/7 is that you are skimming all the time.. Most of the junk that falls into my pool does not sink and is captured by the skimmers.. Except if you are watching, in which case, nothing will ever enter the skimmer.. :mrgreen:

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Haha
  • Love
Reactions: MLG0303, Turbo1Ton, Newdude and 3 others
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply