What Happens If Your Pool Pump Is Too Big
- A large proportion of the pump’s activity (and therefore running costs) will be unnecessary if it is much too large for the pool.
- Unnecessarily high electric bills mean a much bigger carbon footprint.
- A huge swimming pool pump needs a similarly huge filter. ...
Can a pool pump be too big for my Pool?
Most people don’t know that you can get pumps and filters that are too big for your pool. It’s important to understand that a bigger pump and filter doesn’t mean better performance. For optimal output and water flow rate, a pool pump needs to be sized correctly with the amount of water in your pool.
What happens if you don’t put a filter on a pool pump?
A huge swimming pool pump needs a similarly huge filter. If you don’t buy a filter to match, you could end up damaging both components. Pump cavitation can cause bubbles in the pump to burst with undue force and cause damage to the impeller and/or other internal components.
What happens if your pool pump is low on water?
Keeping an eye on the pool water level is a must – don’t let it drop below the skimmer opening. If the pump has no water to pull from the skimmer, it will draw air instead and lose prime which leads to running dry. At the least, this will ruin the motor shaft seal which is what prevents water from getting inside the motor.
Can You oversize a swimming pool filter?
Oversizing a swimming pools filter is unlikely to cause problems but having a huge pump and a small filter can result in accelerated wear and tear. A larger filter with a smaller pump reduces the work the pump must do to keep the swimming pool’s water clean. Massive amounts of horsepower may be flashy and appealing at a surface level.
Can my pump be too big for my pool?
However, a pump that is too big can cause serious problems. To get the right size pump, you need to know the volume of water in your pool. The volume is the pool's total capacity, which is measured in gallons. Start by figuring out the average depth of your pool.
What happens if you oversize a pool pump?
A pool pump that is larger than needed has a more powerful motor and circulates water at a higher flow rate. This uses significantly more energy to pump the same amount of water and puts additional stress on your pipes and filter, meaning you'll need to replace them sooner.
Can I replace a 1hp pool pump with a 1.5 HP?
Conclusion. So to answer the question, yes, you can replace your 1hp pool pump with a 1.5hp pool pump, but only if your situation calls for it. If you've determined that your current pump is too small for your pool, then we'll suggest replacing it with a larger ECO pump like the Water TechniX Pump Alpha ECO.
What happens if my pump is too small for my pool?
If a pool pump is too small for the size of the pool it is forced to work much harder to keep up, running more often and therefore decreasing the pump's lifespan. In general, there are two different types of pumps; single speed and variable speed.
Can I replace a 1.5 HP pool pump with a 2hp pump?
Pool owners often mistakenly believe if they choose a 2 HP pump over a 1 HP pump, they are getting double the performance. This is simply not true. In this scenario, you will get only about 15% more flow from the 2 HP model. But the amp draw of the larger pump will be significantly higher, raising your electric bill.
What size pump do I need for a 15000 gallon pool?
10,000 – 15,000 gallon pools need a pool pump with flow rate between 20 and 35 GPM. Based on our flow rate per pump size(in hp) table above, a 1hp pool pump will generate this flow rate.
Is it OK to run pool pump 24 hours a day?
A Rule of Thumb Generally running your pool pump for 12-hours a day is a good option. This is based on the assumption that your average pool pump has a turnover rate of about 8 to 12-hours. That means that the total volume of your pool water will filter through your system 2 to 3 times per 24-hour period.
How much horsepower should my pool pump be?
Pool Pump Operating CostsPump SizeGPM (varies with plumbing)Cost/24 Hours1.0 HP60$1.441.5 HP68$2.162.0 HP76$2.883.0 HP85$4.321 more row•Nov 4, 2019
How do I choose the right size pool pump?
Determine your pool capacity. Divide the number of gallons of water in your pool by the number of hours you want per turnover. Then divide this number by 60 to determine your required flow rate per minute (GPM).
What would cause a pool pump to explode?
If your filter's pressure valve is defective, incredible pressure can build up within the filter, causing an explosion. Usually a pool filter will maintain a steady pressure well below it's engineering limits, but if there is a fault in the system or excess air, this can cause excessive pressure.
Can you oversize a pool filter?
Aside from the recommended flow rates and maximum flow rates, there's no such thing as a minimum flow rate for both cartridge filters and sand filters. If you have a huge filter, it may take a longer time to fill it up the first time, but once everything is up and running, it will filter your pool water just fine.
How do I know what size pool pump I need?
Determine how many gallons you need to pump per hour to clean all the water in your pool in eight hours. Divide the gallons of water your pool holds (answer from step 1) by eight. Using the example number of gallons previously given, this equation would look as follows: 24,000 gallons ÷ 8 hours = 3,000.
What size pump is needed for a 24 foot pool?
Swimming pools over 24 ft. around, a 1.5 horsepower pool pump is needed.
What causes a pool pump to burn out?
A pool pump can overheat in two ways: because of an electrical problem or friction. While electrically related failures are by far the most common cause for pump overheating, as we will discuss at length, there is also the potential for a friction fire to develop if a pump is starved for water.
Can A Pool Pump Be Too Big
Bigger is better is a common recommendation that encourages homeowners to spend more money on components for the promise of a pool that runs efficiently and requires no maintenance.
Pool Pump Size Calculator
Calculating the size of a pool’s pump can be a confusing process because it involves lots of different figures and sums. But they all come back to the same characteristic: flow rate.
Can A Pool Filter Be Too Big
Compared with a pool’s pump, the filter is a lot more accommodating and will tolerate sizing issues much better. There are some good reasons to install an appropriately sized filter but, generally speaking, any problems that can be caused by a large filter take a long time to develop and may be indistinguishable from regular wear and tear.
How Big Should My Pool Filter Be
I’m not going to say it isn’t important to calculate the perfect filter size for your home’s pool. What I will say is there’s more room for variation.
Helpful Tips To Know If Your Pool Pump Or Filter Is Too Big
It can be tricky to diagnose pump problems because a swimming pool’s internal components form a carefully balanced system of cleanliness, regulation and control.
Final Thoughts
I know we’ve been over it a few times already but, if you take anything from this guide to pool pump and filter sizes, make it this. Your pump must be appropriately sized.
Why are variable speed pumps so popular?
We are big fans of big pumps. Why? Because they can run slow, quiet, and last a long time. That’s the whole idea of a variable speed pump. Really it’s a variable speed motor attached to a pump with a fixed impeller. You adjust the motor speed to change the flow rate. By “oversizing” the motor you can run it at a slower speed.
How many RPM does a 3HP pump run?
For example, to achieve a 55 gallon per minute flow rate at 40 feet of head, the 3HP pump needs to run at 2,350 RPM. The 1HP pump needs to run at 2,700 RPM.
Is a Pentair Intelliflo pump too big?
We have heard it over and over again. A client tells us that their pool builder or service company said a 3 horsepower Pentair Intelliflo pump is too big for their pool. It’s oversized. It’s overkill. It will destroy their pool plumbing. It will drain the oceans dry, trap baby seals, and eat all of the lobster in the sea.
Does noise affect service life of Intelliflo pumps?
That means more noise, more heat, and theoretically shorter service life. Even if you don’t think service life will be affected, noise is absolutely a factor. And guess what – these two pumps cost the same amount as the full Intelliflo 2 VST!
Is the Superflo 1.5 HP pump the same as the Intelliflo 2 VST?
It does cost slightly less. But the result is that the pump motor must run at a much higher speed to achieve the same flow rate as the Intelliflo 2 VST. Again, more noise, more heat, reduced service life. While the pump does cost less, you have to buy a separate interface cable to connect it to automation systems, and it does not have the same automation options as the flagship Intelliflo series.
Is a 2HP pump too big?
The pump should be matched to the size of the pool and, more importantly, the size of your filter.#N#2hp really does sound much too big for that size pool.
Can a pool pump be too big?
Yes, a pump can be too big. It needs to be properly sized for the plumbing and filter. If you can, please give some more details about the pool setup.
How many gallons does an Intex pool hold?
For background, we bought and installed an Intex metal leg kiddie pool. It's 16' x 48" so it holds around 5000 gallons. The pump that comes with these pools is rated at 800 gph. I was thinking of buying a more powerful (or higher flow rate) pump, when by brother offered to give me his older sand filter/pump combo.
Can you use a pool pump with a filter?
You should be fine with the pump and filter. It will work MUCH better than the one that came with your pool!
What happens if a pump is too large?
Too large of a pump can cause poor filter performance and even damage it, if the filter is not also oversized accordingly. Another possible consequence is pump cavitation in which bubbles form in the water inside the pump and then burst with great force, resulting in damage to the impeller and other internal parts.
How long does it take for a pool pump to turn over?
Depending on the gallons per minute your pump is moving, this usually takes 8 – 12 hours.
What does it mean when a pool pump is self priming?
“Self-priming” refers to the pump being able to reprime, and this depends upon a proper initial prime and maintenance. Priming a pump means filling the intake with water.
What happens if a pump is running dry?
If it keeps running dry, the pump heats up and so does the water inside. Commence melting plastic. The motor might survive due to the high temp sensor kicking in but the wet end of the pump will be a casualty. If your pump has run dry and appears to have survived, replace the shaft seal!
Why does my pool pump run dry?
A loss of prime will cause the pump to run dry which you never want to do. Keeping an eye on the pool water level is a must – don’t let it drop below the skimmer opening. If the pump has no water to pull from the skimmer, it will draw air instead and lose prime which leads to running dry.
How long does it take to filter a pool?
Do the math to calculate how many gallons are in your pool (and spa if applicable) and how many gallons per minute are required to filter all of that water in 8 – 12 hours. Then consult the manufacturer’s pump performance charts to determine what pump actually meets your needs.
What happens if you don't filter water?
If you don’t give all the water a chance to pass through the filter, you can end up with dirty, cloudy water, algae and the need to spend more on chemicals and maintenance than you would’ve given to your utility company to run the pump a little longer. On the flip side, there is running the pump too long.
How does an oversized pump affect a system?
If the chosen pump is undersized in terms of power, a lower flow rate than required will be achieved in the system. This will either require additional pumps or adjustments to the system, such as opening discharge valves and adding recirculation lines. An oversized pump will deliver more flow than is required for the system. Depending on the application, it may be necessary to reduce the flow with a throttling valve, or by trimming the impeller. In cases where the pump operating point can be corrected for by simply adjusting valves in the system, it may appear to have little effect on the system. However, the effects of oversizing or undersizing the pump become more apparent when considering the pump efficiency.
How does efficiency affect pump?
The most obvious effect is that the efficiency decreases, requiring more power to be used by the pump. This energy not being transferred to the fluid has to be outlet in other forms such as heat or vibration. So, as efficiency at the pump decreases, the amount of vibration and heat being generated at the pump increases.
What is the primary goal of a pump and piping system?
When selecting a pump and piping system, the primary goal is typically to achieve the required pressure and flow for the application , whether this is a cooling water system, fuel pipeline, chemical production plant or one of many other applications. The required flow rate for the system is used to determine the total dynamic head at the pump, which is then used to compare pump curves for potential pumps. Oversizing or undersizing a pump can have a serious impact on the system, which is why using an accurate operating point for this process is crucial.
Is bigger better for a pump system?
However, when it comes to designing a system it is clear that bigger is not always better. Designing efficiently can help to not only decrease the material and installation costs when building the system, but also prevent additional wear on components in the system such as the pumps.
Can too much safety margin affect pump design?
However, some engineers fail to consider that applying too much of a safety margin to a design can actually have the effect of increasing wear on components and decreasing system life, especially when sizing pumps.
What affects the size of a pool pump?
Other factors could affect the size of the pump you need, such as water elements or heating devices. The pool pump is vital to keeping a clean pool, if you are having trouble figuring out the best one for your circumstance, ask a professional to help you with the calculations.
What Size Pump?
Ideally, your pump should be filtering all of the water in the pool in an 8 hour time period. So the next step after determining how many gallons the pool holds is to figure out how much water needs to be filtered per hour in order to accomplish this task within that time frame. This formula is simple, simply divide the number of gallons your swimming pool holds by 8.
