How to Figure Out What Pool Pump Size You Need
- Calculate the volume of your pool
- Calculate minimum flow rate
- Determine maximum flow rate
- Determine your flow rate range
- Add in Total Dynamic Head (TDH)
- Settle on your final specs
What size pump is best for pools?
- 16” Sand Filter Pump
- Best for large Intex pools
- Max pool size: 19,600 gallons
- Pump flow rate: 3,000 GPH
- Pool turnover: 2,450 GPH
- Type of filter: Sand
How to calculate pool pump size?
What Size Pool Pump Do I Need?
- How Much Water Does Your Pool Hold? To figure out the size of the pool pump that we require, we first need to know how many gallons of ...
- How Many Turnovers Per Day Do You Want? Gage-Bidwell’s Law of Dilution Unfortunately, the specifics of the previously mentioned Gage-Bidwell’s Law of Dilution aren’t available. ...
- Finding the Flow Rate
Should you run your pool pump daytime or Nightime?
The time of day or night you need to run your pool depends on factors such your energy saving needs, the length of time you need to run your pool pump and the pumps’ efficiency among other factors. Experts recommend running the pool pump during the day for 8 hours for efficient pool cleaning and maintenance. Why do you need to run the pool pump?
What size pool pump for inground pool?
All pool pump models will have charts with horsepower estimates based on flow rate ranges and total dynamic head. In our inground pool example, we need a pool pump with a 20.8-43 GPM flow rate range and 50 TDH (also called Feet of Head). There you have it!
How do you size an above ground pool pump?
Divide the pool volume by the number of hours that you would want the pump to be running, so that would be 65,947.5 divided by 6. This would give you 10,991 which means your pump should be able to turn around this much water in 6 hours.
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.
Can an above ground pool pump be too big?
You might think bigger is better in terms of pump size. 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.
What size pump do I need for a 15 000 gallon above ground pool?
Best Pool Pump for Pool (10,000 – 15000 Gallons) 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 a bigger pump better for pool?
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.
What size pool filter do I need for a 20000 gallon pool?
Typical D.E. Filter sizes are 36 sq ft, 48 sq ft, 60 sq ft, and 72 sq ft (they also make a 100 sq ft Quad D.E. Filter). So you can easily get away with using a 48 sq ft D.E. Filter on a 20,000-gallon pool.
What happens if my pump is too big for my pool?
If your pump is too large and the water flow to the filter is above the filter's rated flow rate, the filter will not filter properly. In sand filters it can cause channel and in cartridge filters, it can deeply embed debris in the filter medium blocking it up.
Should above ground pool pump run 24 7?
Above Ground Swimming Pools They are generally undersized and would require 24-hour a day circulation to maybe accomplish a turnover of the swimming pool water. If you have an above ground pool that you plan on keeping, I would suggest upgrading the pump and filter.
What happens if pool pump is too small?
If your pool filter is too small for the pump, there will be additional strain on the pump motor as it tries to push water through and encounters resistance at the filter. This will eventually burn out the pump motor and your filtration will also be compromised.
How many gallons is a 15 ft by 42in pool?
3,861 gallonsWater capacity is 3,861 gallons (90%) and it is ready for water in 45 minutes.
How many hp pump for above ground pool?
For round above ground pools up to 24 ft. ( pools with less than 15,300 gallons) use a 1 HP pump. For round above ground pools over 24 ft. (pools with more than 15.300 gallons) use a 1.5 HP pump.
How many gallons does a 15 ft above ground pool hold?
Above Ground Swimming Pool Water Volumes by SizeSize48in Wall*52in Wall*12ft Round2,975 gals3,398 gals15ft Round4,646 gals5,310 gals18ft Round7,646 gals8,602 gals10 more rows•Sep 9, 2021
Can I replace my 1 HP 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.
Can I replace a 1.5 HP pool pump with a 2 hp?
If you are building a new pool, you have the option to go with pretty much whatever horsepower pump you want as long as it meets the minimum requirements of your pool and is properly sized for the filter and plumbing.
What size pump do I need for a 30000 gallon pool?
You use the following formula. Pool gallonage x 2 (the recommended number of cycles in a day) ÷ daily hourly run time ÷ 60 (minutes in an hour). So, for a 30,000-gallon pool that runs continuously (24-hours), the formula is: 30,000 x 2 ÷ 24 ÷ 60 = 41.6 or rounded up it's a 42 GPM minimum flow rate.
How many gpm does a 1.5 HP pump?
Pool Pump Operating CostsPump SizeGPM (varies with plumbing)Cost/Hour1.0 HP60$0.061.5 HP68$0.092.0 HP76$0.123.0 HP85$0.181 more row•Nov 4, 2019
Why is it important to size an above ground pool pump?
An undersized pump lacks the power needed to circulate your water properly to prevent algal blooms. Adversely, a pump that is too large will completely bypass your filter altogether. This, too, creates a dirty pool.
What to do if your pool pump GPMs exceed your filter?
In other words, do not go over this number. If your GPMs on the pump exceed the GPMs on your filter, sit back and analyze which one needs to be bigger, the pump, the filter, or both. Look at the turnover rate listed on the filter. Your pool size should fit within those parameters.
What is the flow rating on a filter?
The flow rating is essential because it dictates the maximum gallons per minute your filter can handle. In other words, do not go over this number. If your GPMs on the pump exceed the GPMs on your filter, sit back and analyze which one needs to be bigger, the pump, the filter, or both.
Is a pool filter bigger than a gallon?
A properly sized filter is always larger than the gallon size of the pool. You want wriggle room in your filtration area because that way you aren’t backwashing or cleaning your cartridges every week. So, unlike your pool pump, we always recommend oversizing your filter.
Is an above ground pool the same size as an inground pool?
The General Sizing Rule. For the most part, above ground pools are similar in size and shape. Therefore, unlike most inground pools, there aren’t too many extra variables you need to consider when sizing your pool pump.
Can a pump exceed a filter's GPM?
Your pump’s GPM should never exceed your filter’s GPM. We will show you how to check that later in the blog. To be honest, sizing the pump is actually pretty straightforward. There is a general rule we use that makes it very easy to pick.
Is My Filter Too Small For My New Pump?
After selecting your pool pump, verify the GPMs of your pool filter. The GPM information is typically listed on the outside label on the filter housing. If unavailable or weathered, you can also locate this information in the user manual. If for whatever reason you cannot find your manual, we recommend doing a quick search in our manual database or a Google search. Once you find the manual, print and keep it. I guarantee that you will use it in the future. If it’s an antique of a filter, you may want to call the manufacturer.
How to determine pool pump size?
How to Figure Out What Pool Pump Size You Need 1 Calculate the volume of your pool 2 Calculate minimum flow rate 3 Determine maximum flow rate 4 Determine your flow rate range 5 Add in Total Dynamic Head (TDH) 6 Settle on your final specs
How many turnovers per day for a pool pump?
For both traditional chlorine pools and saltwater pools, the industry standard is 2 turnovers per day.
How many GPM per square foot for a cartridge filter?
Cartridge filters are a lot bigger and a little less exact. Typically, you’re going to average 0.3 to 0.35 GPM per square foot of surface area.
What is the minimum flow rate for a 15,000 gallon pool?
So, let’s say you have a 15,000 gallon inground pool. With two turnovers per day, your minimum flow rate comes to 20.8 GPM.
What are the different types of pool filters?
Filters. There are three types of pool filters (sand, cartridge, and DE) and all of them have different maximum flow rates based on their surface area. Make sure you stay below the maximum flow rates for your filter system or you could end up damaging it. Here are the flow rates for common filter types and sizes.
Can you put more pressure in your pipes?
You never want to put more pressure in your pipes than they can handle. The maximum flow rate of your plumbing setup depends on the pipe size and should be clearly labeled on your system. If not, you can use these common values or ask your contractor.
How often do I need to clean out the basket that’s in my pool pump’s strainer housing?
When answering the question of how often should you clean out your pool pump’s strainer basket, I will start by telling you why this is so important. It’s because if that strainer basket gets too full, it will cut down the flow through the pump and negatively impact the circulation in the pool.
How do variable speed pumps work?
Variable speed pool pumps have taken pool equipment technology to a whole new level.
Do I need to use a special pump with my saltwater pool?
If you own a saltwater pool, it’s good that you are concerned with how this will impact your pool filtration equipment including your pump. That’s because salt can be corrosive but then again if you do not have a saltwater pool, you are probably using even more corrosive chlorine as a sanitizer.
Is it ok to leave my pool pump running 24-hours a day?
This is one of the oldest debates among swimming pool professionals such as myself. I am a big fan of running a swimming pool pump 24-hours a day during the swim season.
How to determine the best pool pump size?
Your best pool pump size must meet your minimum and maximum flow rates, which you get by finding the pool volume first. And for you to get all these, you have to do a series of calculations. In the end, you will have the ideal min-max flow rate range to help you find the perfect pool pump size for your swimming pool.
How many feet of head does an above ground pool have?
If you higher the total resistance to flow, you need a powerful pool pump to overcome it. Most above-ground pools have 30 Feet of Head, and inground pools have 50 Feet of Head.
What is the minimum flow rate?
The minimum flow rate gives you the number of gallons pumped per minute or per hour to meet the pool turnover.
How to calculate minimum flow rate?
Calculating the minimum flow rate is quite simple; all you need is your pool’s volume in gallons and divide it by the turnover in minutes (GPM) or hours (GPH). If you don’t want to go along with all the math, below is a simplified minimum flow rate calculator.
What are the different types of pool filters?
The next stop is the pool filter. And as you might already know, pool filters are of three types. There is a sand filter, cartridge, and DE filter , and they all have different maximum flow rates.
What is the minimum flow rate for a 50,000 gallon pool?
Assuming you have a 50,000-gallon inground pool and two 12-hour turnovers in a day, the minimum flow rate 69.44 GPM.
What is the first metric in pool?
The first metric is the pool volume which will help you determine the minimum and maximum flow rates required.
How many turnovers should a pool pump have?
That’s why your pool pump’s calculated turnover rate should be capable of 3 to 4 turnovers per day.
What is the GPM of a pool pump?
The GPM is the measurement of how many gallons the pool pump can push through the filtration system each minute.
Why is my pool pump so big?
A pool pump can be too big if you do not have sufficient control of the flow rate. Filters only operate effectively within specified ranges of pressure. If your pool pump overpowers the filters, your filtration will suffer. The increased PSI will push those contaminants straight through the filter. For this reason, you should never buy a single-speed pool pump that is rated higher than your filter’s manufacturer’s recommendations. Instead, if you choose to buy an overpowered pool pump, look into variable-speed pool pumps. Dual-speed pumps can work if the lower setting fits within the filter’s effective range.
What is pool volume?
Pool Volume: Volume can be measured in a few ways. In this article, pool volume refers to how many gallons fit into your pool.
How long does it take for a pool pump to turn over?
For normal day-to-day maintenance, you only need the water to turn over a minimum of once per day to achieve an acceptable level of filtration.
How many turnovers are needed to clean a pool?
Using a standard but unknown pool pump and filter, this duo found that 7 turnovers are needed each day to cleanse 99.9% of the water. Below that, we find the following:
What is flow rate in pool?
The flow rate is the measurement of how many gallons a pool pump can process every minute or every hour. We can use the pool volume and desired turnover rate to calculate what flow rate we need.
What is the GPM of a pool pump?
When choosing a pool pump, you have to select the most efficient one to save energy. Typically these work with a GPM unit, which means gallons per minute.
How many GPm per minute for 1500 gallon pool?
Ultimately if you have a 15000-gallon pool, look for a pool pump that runs for about 28GPM to 35GPM per minute. Before purchasing one, it is always good to know the size of your pool.
