How Long To Run Your Pool & Electricity Cost

Having a pool is going to cost you money each month in electricity and water. There is just no way to avoid the added costs. You can try to limit the costs by adjusting your pool run time down during the winter months, and in some cases depending on how you are charged for power by running it at certain off peak hours can also save you money.
Feel free to post a comment on your local cost of running your pool. You can check online with your local power company to see if they posted an average cost.

I have Southern California Edison (SCE) in my area. They do offer a Time of Usage billing option, but most people are just charged on usage. SCE uses a Tier system as the more you use the higher the kWh charge. I mentioned that having a pool in my area will put you in Tier 3 which is the $0.17 kWh rate. If you are not careful and run your Air or Heater often along with your pool you can be put into Tier 4 or 5 very easily. So those of us with a pool need to conserve in other areas (unless a high bill doesn't faze you that is).

I mention that the water needs to cycle through the filter at least once per day. The cycle through rates are directly from the manufacturer and are the maximum flow rate. Your pool may have less flow due to a dirty filter or older pump. The main reason is for the health of the water and to filter out any microorganism or disease causing bacteria. It is also important for the chemistry of the pool, especially in Summer. Too low a run time will lead to algae growth and cloudy water. So you want to try and save your money in the colder months by running your pool less.

To see the best and easiest flow meter it install:

To reset your Automated timers and more on the Intermatic Timer seen here:

For more on the Filter water cycle thru time:

For more on Pool Remodeling and pool's by Huntington Pools see this playlist:

So the bottom line is that running your pool will cost you more in your electric bill. But as a pool owner you know that the pool in general is going to cost you.

TO SEE HOW MUCH IT COST YOU TO RUN YOUR PUMP:
Pentair Pools has a couple of Online Calculators (to compare to their variable speed pumps, but you can get an idea on your current pump cost).

Hayward has one too (you don't need to enter your e-mail):

You can probably find more online if you look.

I also have a video on variable speed pumps -

Or you can do it yourself:

Look at your pump online to see how many watts it uses to run. It may be on the pump label too.
Multiply the watts your pump uses per hour. Times that by 30 days.
To get kilowatts, divide by 1000.
Now multiply by your cost per KWH (kilowatt-hour). Look on your utility bill. It should tell you what you pay per KWH.

Mrdgvb1 Social Media Links:

[ksavage]

Thank you for posting. I am on a fixed income and I started to do my own pool service to save $. Your channel has been tremendously helpful.

[e.hernandez]

I watched tons of your videos thanks for all the knowledge and advice. Anytime I have any questions or thought about my pool I just scroll through your videos and the chances are you have made one to solve my problems. Last night I watched one of your first videos on how you manage your finances and stayed out of debt. Your train of thoughts and work ethics are amazing. I hope your nephew takes full advantage of everything you're teaching him. I live in PHX our pool is a masta 23k gallon. My question is what's the best time to run the pump? And how long? Currently I'm running it at night from 10pm-4am

[SPL]

The entire pool water should cycle through the filter at least once, twice in the Summer. 2 hours may be too short a run time. Micro Organism, bacteria, parasites, mold, mildew and algae are destroyed by the chlorine in a matter of seconds, but the pool must circulate long enough for all water to be treated by passing through the filter. When the pool is in use sweat, urine, body fluids, saliva, mucous need to be oxidized. If this does not happen the water can be unsafe to use. Hope that helps.

[daphnietudor]

So i have a 1500 gallon per hour pump on my 1400 gallon pool. The other one was not doing it. Ive been running it 2 hours except when i add chemicals that say run for 24hrs. Is that ok?? The rate of the pump total it like 1100 it's labeled has a 1500 gallon pump so in 2 hours my water would circulate VERY Well. Or should i only do an hour or should i do 3?? Thank you...i do have everything in it possible. Ph, calcium, cya, chlorine, alkalinity. Can you give advice please and thank you so much for taking time to help!!

[bcarr]

Yes a pool is worth the extra effort and it adds to the resale value of your house. Great investment and its fun.

[Otic]

I have never heard of the SCE program and I have been paying too much for my electricity for the pool.

[taskforceripper]

At what speed RPM or percent should I run my Hayward VSP. For an 18G pool? Live in SoCal... If I run it for four hours in the summer and eight in the winter...

[mackeycharli]

In Australia during summer we’re looking at around $1200 every 3 months for your electricity bill if you have a pool. Insane.

[Army-syex]

Hi there! great video. At :50, it shows an easy dial timer to set the pump on & off. Do you know if the Aqualink RS by Jandy 6613/6614 model has the same dial to set the timer? I don't recall seeing it and need to shorten the pump time for winter. If not, how is that set? Thanks!!

[paweldanielswinto]

Can I run my pool pump at 1377 rpms 24 hours a day I love in fl got a heater that needs constant flow to make sure it runs...am I still having on my electricity on the vs pool pump if it runs long but low rpms or is that not good. Pool is 13500 gallons

[electriciandallastx]

Thanks for the concepts you have provided here.

[goshen]

Can someone please explain to me how a variable speed can save money if the kw/h rate is static and if you’re only pumping your pool water 1.5x over a day? I’m trying to wrap my head around it but I don’t see how if a persons goal is to Finn a 20k gal pool 1.5x over a day that’s 30k gal, and if the kW/h rating is static then running a variable speed would cost more since its not pumping the same amount of water within the same time....

[jamesfawnvista]

My pool is 18K gallons. With Pentair IntelliFlo VSP, what speeds and duration should I schedule? Thanks

[NasalObstruction]

How do I calculate how long to run my pool which is a 12x24x52 oval ?