To be honest, sizing the pump is actually pretty straightforward. There is a general rule we use that makes it very easy to pick. 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.
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
What is the best swimming pool pump?
- BEST OVERALL: Hayward W3SP2610X15 Super Pump Pool Pump
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Pool Pump by Blue Torrent, 1 HP Maxiforce In Ground
- BEST SINGLE SPEED: Hayward W3SP2307X10 MaxFlo XL Pool Pump
- BEST DUAL SPEED: XtremepowerUS 2HP In-Ground Pool Pump
- BEST VARIABLE SPEED: Hayward W3SP2303VSP MaxFlo Variable-Speed Pool Pump
What are the best swimming pool pumps?
- A variable speed pool pump operates on a permanent magnet motor (PMM)
- The best types of variable speed pool pumps last longer, run quieter, and are cooler than other types of pool pumps
- It is energy efficient, saving you money on energy costs
- The pump can be programmed to pump only according to what is necessary for the health of your pool
How do I know what size pool pump I need?
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 you size an above ground pool pump?
0:178:01How To: Select Above Ground Pool Pumps - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe necessary size or horsepower pump can be determined by the following general rule for above-MoreThe necessary size or horsepower pump can be determined by the following general rule for above-ground pools up to 24 feet round use a 1 horsepower pump. And for above-ground pools over 24 feet round.
What size pump do I need for a 21 foot above ground pool?
For pools up to 24 Ft Round, use a 1 HP pool pump. For pools over 24 Ft Round, we recommend using a 1.5 HP pool pump.
What size filter do I need for my above ground pool?
When deciding on a pool filter for your above ground pool swimming pool, a useful tip is to pick one that is at least 1 sq. ft. for a 10,000-gallon pool capacity. For instance, a 16” sand filtered system has a 1.55″ sq.
Is 1 HP pool pump enough?
Let's start with an unpopular and incredible statement: A typical size residential pool can be circulated effectively with a 1 HP pump.
Can a pool pump be too big?
You might think bigger is better in terms of pump size, but a pump that is too big can cause serious problems. In the example above, the pool's average depth is 8 feet. Now use the formulas below to determine the volume of water in your pool.
How much HP pump do I need?
Horsepower theoretically required for pumping water equals the gallons per minute multiplied by the head in feet, and divided by 4.000 For power recommended, divide by 2000 instead of 4000.
How many HP does my pool pump need to be?
According to the chart for 50 Feet of Head (closest to 47'), we need a pump between 3/4 HP (31 GPM) and 1 HP (50 GPM). Since we always go for the higher GPM, we would select the 1 HP pump.
How many gallons of water is in a 24 foot round pool?
11,895 galsAbove Ground Swimming Pool Water Volumes by Size15 ft Round4,646 gals5,310 gals18 ft Round7,646 gals8,602 gals21 ft Round9,106 gals10,408 gals24 ft Round11,895 gals13,594 gals9 more rows
How do I choose an above ground pool filter?
Choosing the right Above Ground Pool Filter SystemFirst, figure out what size range your pool falls into. Filter sizes are relative to the pool size. ... Second, find out which filter type you'd prefer. ... Third, know what type of cleaner you'll be using. ... Things to Remember:
How do I choose a pool pump filter?
10 Tips on How to Choose a Pool Pump and Filter1) Measure Your Pool. ... 2) Calculate the Area. ... 3) Calculate the Water In Your Pool. ... 4) Calculate the Minimum Flow Rate. ... 5) Calculate the Maximum Flow Rate. ... 6) Choose the Right Pool Pump. ... 7) Choose the Right Pool Filter. ... 8) Decide on Sand or Cartridge Filter.More items...•
What filter is best for above ground pool?
Our Verdict. The Intex Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump simply does the best job on most above-ground pools. Its flow rate is appropriate for smaller pools, but it can still safely handle larger-size framed pools and keep the water sparkling.
What size pump do I need for 18 round 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.
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.
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
What size sand 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.
How to determine the right size sand filter for my pool?
Once you get the value right, divide the number by 10 or 8 depending on your turnover rating. Once this is done, divide the value by 60 to get the GPM. The number you get will help you find the right size sand filter for your pool.
How to determine how much water is in a pool?
1. Determine Your Pool Volume. Before we discuss anything in detail, you need to start by determining the amount of water that is in your pool. Note that the depth, size, and shape of your pool will dictate how many gallons of water can be contained in your above ground pool.
How to calculate gallons per hour?
To determine the gallons per hour, you have to divide the pool volume by the turnover time. Note that the turnover time refers to the amount of time you will need to move enough water to fit your above ground pool. Understand that the volume of water has to move through the sanitation and filtration process once. 3.
Do you need a pool pump for above ground pool?
Did you know that a suitable pool pump will help stop bacterial breeding in your pool while ensuring a steady supply of water? However, you need the right size pool pump for your above ground pool if you want to enjoy the benefits above. Notice that your pool performance gets compromised when you have an over or under-powered pump.
Do you need a bigger pool pump?
You will need a bigger pump if you have extra water features such as spas, fountains, and waterfalls . Understand that your pump will have to serve the additional water features as well as your above ground pool. Always ensure that the pool pump size matches the filter size.
Is the GPM of a pool pump lower?
The GPM of your pool pump will be lower depending on the location distance from your pool. Note that the GPM might also be a bit restricted depending on the pipe construction.
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.
What determines the maximum flow rate of a pool system?
The flow rate of any given pool system is limited by the equipment and the size of the piping. This determines the maximum rate of flow through the system.
How fast does water flow through a pool?
Generally, the velocity of the water through the piping shouldn’t exceed 7 feet per second. Count the intake lines as that will determine what the maximum flow into the pump will be. It’s also important to make sure the lines going back into the pool will support the same level of flow.
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 Much Water Does Your Pool Hold?
The reason for this is that your pool pump should be able to turn over the water in about 8 hours. (For a more exact calculation on how many hours to run your pump, check out How Long to Run a Pool Pump.) In other words, all the water in your pool should run through your pump in that time span. And that should happen once a day.
How to figure out how much water a pool holds?
To determine how much water your pool holds, start by looking at the paperwork that came with your pool. If you can’t find the number of gallons it holds, don’t worry. With a little simple math, you can figure it out on your own.
Why are variable speed pumps more efficient?
These pumps are more energy-efficient because they use a magnet motor as opposed to the induction motors the other two types use. Magnet motors produce less friction, which increases efficiency. They’re also quieter than the other types. You will pay more for a variable speed pump, but save in the long run.
How to find the average depth of a pool?
To determine the average depth in your pool, which you will need for the above formulas, add the shallowest part of your pool and the deepest part of your pool and then divide the number by two.
What is a dual speed pump?
Dual-speed pumps. These pumps have two speeds: low and high . The high-speed setting is equivalent to a single-speed pump, while the low speed is much less. Depending on the size of your pool, the low speed may not be enough to turn over the water in your pool within a day. Variable speed pumps.
Why is it important to buy a pool pump?
When it comes to your pool, it’ s the pump that does all the hard work behind the scenes to push water through your filtration system. That’s why it’s so important to buy the right size pump. Buy the wrong one and it may not be able to keep up with the demand, resulting in cloudy—or worse—green water.
Is a pool pump good for a filter?
You will hear about horsepower when you go to purchase a pump, but just because a pump has more horsepower, that doesn’t mean it’s the right pump for your pool. You need to ensure that the pump will work well with your filter. If the pump is too strong, it can overwhelm the filter, making for an ineffective filtration system.
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.
How should a pool pump be rated?
That being said, it's important to know that pool pumps should really be rated by the gallons per minute of water flow instead of the motor's HP.
How to get the most gallons per minute from a pool pump?
There are ways to get the most gallons per minute from your pool pump with the least horse power motor. Increasing the PVC pipe size from 1-1/2" to 2" will increase any pumps GPM. Other options to make your pool pump more efficient are: Include a pump timer. Opt for a pump with a 2-speed motor.
Why should my pool filter be higher than my pump?
You'll want your filter's GPM to be higher than your pumps to alleviate any additional strain on the pump motor . While some may think it's just easier to go with the highest GPM and HP and not worry about anything further, note that your pool's pipes can only take so much movement and pressure based on their size.
How long does it take to pump water through a pool filter?
What you're looking for is a pump that will be able to pump all the water in your pool through the filter in no more than 8-10 hours. This typically looks likes 40 GPM (gallons per minute) for smaller pools and 80 GPM for larger pools. However, you can determine the more precise needs of your individual pool by following these steps:
How much water can a 1.5 inch pump move?
This means that you can have a pump capable of moving 100 gallons of water per minute, however, if the 1.5-inch piping will only allow 42 gallons per minute you risk damaging your system by creating too much strain on your pump that cannot move water as quickly as it'll be trying to.
How many hours does a pump move?
As pumps are labeled with how many gallons they move per minute, you'll now need to divide the above number by 60 (as there are 60 minutes per every hour). Keep in mind that the desired time frame of turnover is between 8-10 hours, so you get a range by substituting the 8 hours used above, for 10 hours instead.
What is the maximum flow rate for a pool?
For example, if you primarily have 3-inch pipes in the plumbing system of your pool, but also have a spa with a 2-inch plumbing pipe, you're maximum flow rate would be 73 GPM.
How many BTUs does a 15,000 gallon pool pump need?
Looking at the chart above, we can see that 15,000 gallon pools require a heat pump with 90,000 BTUs, which is right in line with our 92,160 BTU figure.
Why Is Pool Heat Pump Sizing Important?
A heat pump works by drawing in warm air from the outside environment and injecting it into the pool water.
How many BTUs does a heat pump need?
According to these calculations, you’ll need a heat pump that can output at least 92,160 BTUs to increase the temperature in a 16 x 32 pool by 15°F.
How many BTUs for a pool heater?
Electric heat pumps have BTU ratings in the range of 50,000 to 150,000. Calculating the amount of BTUs required will help you determine the size of the heater for your pool. Smaller inground pools and above ground pools can get away with using a 50,000 BTU heat pump, but if you have a large pool you’ll need something bigger. A small pump on a large pool means it will be very slow to heat and might not even reach the desired temperature you’re aiming for.
What is the best way to warm up pool water?
With different types and sizes of heaters available, heat pumps are an energy efficient and effective solution to warming up pool water.
How to keep pool water warm?
With a heat pump, maintaining the warm water temperature can reduce your use of electricity. You should ask yourself the following: 1 Are you using a solar cover? A solar cover is a must. Heat mainly escapes the surface of the pool water. Covers trap that heat in so you can get away with using a smaller pump, less often. They also keep water from evaporating so you won’t have to spend more money refilling the pool. Solar covers come in a few variations: a large bubble wrap-like blanket, smaller, interconnectable solar sun rings, or chemical liquid solar covers. 2 How often are you swimming? If you want to maximize the heat in your pool and keep your electricity bill low, you should only keep the pool uncovered for about 2 hours per day. Of course, you can use the pool longer, but after 2 hours you’ll have to run the heater to replace the heat that was lost.
What temperature should a pool be?
What is your desired water temperature? Most pool owners want warm water between 82°F and 86°F. With heat pumps, they can only generate so much heat and will eventually top out (especially smaller pumps) due to their dependence on the outside temperature for the level of BTU output. Generally, though, you should be able to heat your pool to 82°F on warm days.
