How To Set A Pentair Pool Pump To Run Continuously

To maintain clean and healthy pool water, the water needs to circulate. This means water entering into the system from your skimmer and/or the main drain is then pushed by your pool pump through your circulation system. Without proper circulation, you will not maintain proper chemical balance in your pool water. The chemicals need to mix and that means the water needs to keep moving.

If you do not run your pool pump long enough, you may end up with "dead spots." These dead spots are where uncirculated water stays and the dirt and debris in those areas will not make it into the filter. In this blog, we'll talk about if you can run the pool pump continuously and how to set your Pentair pump to run nonstop. We also cover the recommended amount of hours to run your pump and if it is okay to run your pool pump while it is raining. Continue reading to learn more!

Is it OK to let the pool pump run continuously?

Yes, it is ideal for pool pumps to run continuously, 24 hours a day. Pool pumps are essentially the heart of your swimming pool, keeping the water circulating through the various cleaning systems. It is a vital part of keeping your pool clean and healthy. The filter can only be effective at removing dirt while it is active.

You can run variable speed pump for 24 hours. For regular filtration, you can set your variable speed pump on a low setting, then adjust it to a higher setting when cleaning or adding chemicals to the water.

There are many energy-saving pumps that meet government standards. We recommend using a Pentair IntelliFlo pump. It is one of the most efficient pumps on the market and about 33% more efficient than other standard pumps. A Pentair IntelliFlo pool pump is the solution for those looking to save money and increase performance with an eco-friendly, energy saving pool pump. IntelliFlo offers the same reliable performance and energy savings that have made it the best-selling variable speed pump on the planet.

How To Program Pentair Pool Pump To Run Continuously

Pumps cannot technically run 24/7 because the pump needs at least a minute to reset—so they can run for 23 hours and 59 minutes. It is pretty close to 24 hours, and you will still get an all-day cleaning.

It is recommended to put the schedule on either speed between 5-8 so speeds 1-4 can be for any quick use or egg timers. Below, we lay out the steps to set a schedule; take a look and follow each step in the instructions. We also included our Youtube video, which will show you step-by-step how to program your IntelliFlo pump.

Steps:

1. Push the menu button and push the up arrow button until you get to speeds 1-8.
2. Choose which speed you would like to schedule and press select.
3. You will see the word disable, press select again and push the up arrow until the schedule comes up and press save.
4. Push the up arrow and now you can set your time to stop, you will have to push the up or down arrow to get to the start time. You can also change your RPMs to whatever you would like it at during this time schedule.
5. Push save when it is all set how you would like it. 

Here is our Youtube video to help you learn how to program the Pentair IntelliFlo (EC-011028):

How many hours should I run my pool pump per day?

To keep all the water in the pool clean and clear, plan to run your pool pump long enough to filter the entire volume of water in your pool at least once a day. The number of hours it takes for all the water in the pool to go through the filter is called the turnover rate.

The rule of thumb is generally 8 hours, although it could be anywhere from 6-12 hours, depending on your pool’s size. Each is unique, so to keep your pool pump efficient and effective, you need to figure out exactly what your pool’s turnover rate is. To figure out your turnover rate, you will need to divide your pool volume by the filtration rate and that is how many hours it will take for 1 turnover. Use this formula: (Pool Volume / Filtration Rate) = Hours for 1 Turnover.

Should I turn off my pool pump when it's raining?

Rain can change the chemical makeup of the water, such as the PH and alkalinity, in addition to adding dirt and debris. To keep your pool in the best condition, you can run the pump while it is raining. Running your pool pump during a lightning or electrical storm should be avoided as a power surge or nearby lightning strike could damage your pump.

However, running your pump during the rain can be beneficial most of the time. The extra filtering will help clean out the impurities rain has introduced into your pool's water. Pool pumps are made to withstand rain and it is beneficial to run your pump during or after rain.

If you have your pump located in a spot that has been known to flood, you should unplug your pump before it rains and switch it off at the breaker. Do not switch it back on until it has thoroughly dried out. Although pool pumps are usually waterproof and designed to withstand rain and splashes, they are not designed to be submerged in standing water.

Here's a quick summary:

• Light rain = safe to leave pool pump on (if the manufacturer declares rainwater safe for the pump and you have no drainage issues)
• Heavy rain = safe to leave pool pump on (if the manufacturer declares rainwater safe for the pump and you have no drainage issues)
• Electrical thunderstorm = switch off and unplug all electrical devices in your pool

Benefits of running your pool pump in rain:

• Circulates rainwater with the existing pool water
• Filters out the impurities the rainwater brings 
• Helps control algae 

In conclusion, you can run your pump continuously and it is beneficial. Running your pump for 24 hours will keep your pool crystal clear. If you do not run your pool pump long enough, you may end up with "dead spots." These dead spots are where uncirculated water stays and the dirt and debris in those areas will not make it into the filter.

Using a variable-speed pump would be best and will save you more money than any other pump. To get started, check out all of the variable speed pool pumps we carry.

Contact us if you have any questions!