Pool Pump Run Time Calculator

Enter your pool volume and pump specs — get turnover time, a recommended daily schedule, and the electricity cost per day and month.

Don't know it? Use the pool volume calculator.

~1,700W for 1.5 HP single-speed; 300–800W for variable-speed at low RPM.

Run time for one turnover
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Cost per day (one turnover)—
Cost per month—
Cost per season (6 months)—
What to buyPool pump timerBuy on Amazon

One turnover per day suits most residential pools; heavy use, heat waves, or algae recovery call for more.

Pool Pump Run Time Calculator — free from poolcarekit.com

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The turnover formula

turnover hours = gallons ÷ (GPM × 60)
daily cost = (watts ÷ 1,000) × hours × $/kWh

A "turnover" pushes the pool's full volume through the filter once. Filtration is probabilistic — one turnover actually filters about 60–70% of the water since filtered and unfiltered water mix — which is why sizing matters more than perfection.

A worked example

15,000 gallons through a 50 GPM pump: 15,000 ÷ 3,000 = 5 hours per turnover. A 1,700-watt pump for 5 hours at $0.17/kWh costs $1.45 a day — about $43.50 a month, or $260 over a six-month season.

The variable-speed math that sells itself

Pump power scales with the cube of speed: run at half RPM and you draw roughly one-eighth the power while moving half the water. Doubling the hours at half speed filters the same volume for about a quarter of the cost — run your own numbers above with 400W and 10 hours and compare. It's why utilities offer rebates on variable-speed upgrades.

Frequently asked questions

How long should I run my pool pump each day?

Long enough to turn over the full volume once — typically 6–8 hours in swim season. A 15,000-gallon pool with a 50 GPM pump needs 15,000 ÷ (50 × 60) = 5 hours per turnover.

How much does it cost to run a pool pump?

A 1.5 HP single-speed pump draws roughly 1.6–1.9 kW. Eight hours at $0.17/kWh is about $2.30 a day — $70 a month. Variable-speed pumps running longer at low RPM often cut that by 50–80%.

Is it better to run the pump at night?

Night electricity is cheaper on time-of-use plans, but daytime running fights algae when the sun and swimmers are active. A common compromise: run through the sunniest hours plus a nighttime block for cheap circulation.

How do I find my pump's GPM?

Check the pump label or manual for its flow curve — real-world GPM depends on your plumbing's resistance. A rough field method: note your filter pressure and look up the curve, or use the pump's rated GPM at medium head (most residential systems run 40–60 GPM).

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