Some people assume that pool pumps run all day, every day, but that’s just not true. While it’s possible to run your pool pump all day, doing so may bring you a shock when you get your electricity bill!

First, let’s start with describing how a pool pump works. The pump pulls water in from your pool and then pushes it out through the filter. Then, the filter catches all the bacteria and debris – everything you don’t want in your pool – to keep the water clean and inviting.

So, you want your filtration system to run for long enough to achieve these tasks.

So how long then?

All the water in your pool must run through the filter at least once a day. This is called the turnover rate, and it’s an important aspect of figuring out how long to run a pool pump.

Most pool pumps should run approximately 8 hours a day. But here’s the thing. You don’t have to run your pool pump consecutively. You can choose to run it for three hours in the morning before you leave for work and another 5 hours in the evening.