It is completely dependent on your plumbing system and other pool equipment, all of which should have documentation on maximum flow rates. Heads up: your plumbing setup may be different across your entire pool environment. Pool Pump Size Calculator: What Size Pump Do You Need? While pools traditionally purchased in the Spring or even late Summer can usually have many weeks of use that same year, the entire industry is currently delayed by several weeks and in some cases several months. Single Speed and Variable Speed Pumps Here! 
Free Shipping on Qualifying Orders over $99 - Get Details, If you're looking to build a new pool or simply looking to replace a pool pump you may find yourself asking, "Is a larger horsepower (HP) pool pump always better?". As a general rule of thumb, sand filters typically fall between 19-22 Max GPM per square foot of surface area. Choosing a pump with a higher flow rate than the filter will put strain on both the pump and filter, reducing life and efficiency of each. So, lets say you have a 15,000 gallon inground pool.
Okay, lets move on to the next part of my pool pump sizing figuring out your maximum flow rate. The GPM of the pump will go down the farther away the pump is in relation to the pool. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(4779281, '8af6d94c-3bfc-4f56-8e22-89747933f30b', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); 2019 Royal Swimming Pools Inc. All Rights Reserved. He has built pools and natural landscapes for hundreds of homes and businesses across the country. While outside of this simple yet extremely import we get asked a lot about what HP a pump should be. With two turnovers per day, your minimum flow rate comes to 20.8 GPM. Can a Swimming Pool Cause a UTI, Yeast Infection, Ear Infection, or Other Health Issues? You can choose to run your pump 24 hours per day (decreasing your GPM needs) or twice a day in different segments. You never want to put more pressure in your pipes than they can handle.
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. 300 square feet surface area = 80-112 GPM, 400 square feet surface area = 100-150 GPM. 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. If you are looking to buy a new pool in the next few years you may have a longer wait time than anticipated. Fortunately, you dont have to do a bunch of fancy math to figure your maximum flow rate. The best plan you can have is to, before you'd like to start building. Otherwise, you could risk damaging the setup for part of your pool environment. Lets also say that you have a 2.3 square foot sand filter (50 GPM max) and 1.5 plumbing (43 GPM). More on purchasing a pool during or even post-pandemic can be foundhere. Proper pairing of these two units is essential for a pleasant pool experience. Most pool builders are booked 6-12 months out presently.
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Your pool will most likely have multiple sizes of piping. Mineral System Pools: Pros and Cons, Vinyl Pools vs. Fiberglass Pools vs. There you have it! For this reason, each pool has a maximum flow rate, which is determined solely by your pool's pipes. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(4779281, '198b5843-4912-4919-acc3-6821108ff39f', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); There are ways to get themostgallons per minute from your pool pump with the least horse power motor. Determine how any gallons of water your pool holds. Download my free, printable pool maintenance checklist to help you accomplish regular pool care tasks for any type of swimming pool. Questions? It's important to shop early. Before I get into the calculation, you have a few options here. 24,000 gallons 8 hours = 3,000 60 = 50 GPM (gallons per minute), 24,000 10 hours = 2,400 60 = 40 GPM (gallons per minute). Running at low horsepower for longer periods of time results in a more balanced water chemistry, but can be a sink on your electricity bill. Most pool builders are booked 6-12 months out presently. Pool Alkalinity Calculator: What to Add & How Much. IMPORTANT INTERRUPTION: Due to the rise in demand caused by the 2020 pandemic,pools in general are experiencing delays in manufacturing and shipping.
If not, you can use these common values or ask your contractor.
will require a higher GPM rate which equate to a higher HP pump. Most inground pools will be somewhere around 50 TDH. This means that you would not want to choose a pump designed to be used with 2" plumbing piece, and then use a filter designed to be used with 1 1/2" plumbing piece. First, you need to figure out how many gallons of water are in your swimming pool. If you are looking to buy a new pool in the next few years you may have a longer wait time than anticipated. For example, the pipes leading to your spa could differ from the main pool area. Concrete Pools. In this example, our flow rate range comes out to 20.8-43 GPM. Once you have the approximate number of gallons of water in your pool, I have to figure my minimum flow rate for the pump using a Gallons Per Minute (GPM) calculation. XYou wouldnotwant to attempt to use a pump with 2 inlet/outlet with a filter that has a 1-1/2 inlet/outlet as they would not be sized correctly or efficient when used together. Okay, we now have everything we need! The pump needs to be sized appropriately compared to the filters flow rate. 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. He also holds multiple patents for pool performance products he has engineered over the years. Something went wrong. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(4779281, '1edb0dfd-90a9-45a0-9087-54d9efc51963', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Your pool pump's GPM will directly relate to your pool's filter GPM. The maximum flow rate of your plumbing setup depends on the pipe size and should be clearly labeled on your system. You can use out Swimming Pool Gallon Calculator. You'll want your filter's GPM to be higher than your pumps toalleviate anyadditional strain on the pump motor. Plan for approximately 1.75 GPM per square foot of surface area, assuming the middle of the ranges below. If choosing a pump with a 1-1/2 inlet/outlet, you should choose a filter with a 1-1/2 inlet/outlet as well. The typical two-a-day segments are 6-hour cycles, 8-hour cycles, and 10-hour cycles. You're now looking for a pump with a GPM range between 40-50 regardless of what the HP is. Below, well run through how to quickly figure it out step-by-step and choose your pool pump confidently. The best plan you can have is topurchase your poolat least3-6 monthsbefore you'd like to start building. 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 minuteyou risk damaging your system by creating too much strain on your pump that cannot move water as quickly as it'll be trying to. Other optionsto make your pool pump more efficient are: For more on Pumps, like the difference between single, two or variable speeds, try this article! Now that we have filters settled, lets move on to maximum flow rates for plumbing. Be sure to check out my recommendations for the best single and variable speed pumps as well, and my article on how long to run your pump every day. Divide the gallons of water your pool holds (answer from step 1) by eight. However, you can determine the more precise needs of your individual pool by following these steps: 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. So, lets calculate the minimum flow rate we need for all four of these options. That's on the manufacturers side of the business. It's important to shop early. For both traditional chlorine pools and saltwater pools, the industry standard is two turnovers per day. Okay, lets move on to the next step. Extra water featureslike spas, fountains, waterfalls, etc. Lets figure out the last main spec you need for your pool pump: total dynamic head. DE filters are a little rangy as well. Total dynamic head is a resistance metric it tells you the total amount of resistance in the hydraulic system of your pool. The ultimate goal is efficiency balancing electricity bill savings with pump horsepower and balanced water chemistry. All good? Valves and PVC turns will also restrict the pumps GPM. Make sure you stay below the maximum flow rates for your filter system or you could end up damaging it. That's on the manufacturers side of the business. How much does it cost to install an inground pool, What to know when buying an inground pool. Now back to choosing the best pool pump for you. Using the example number of gallons previously given, this equation would look as follows: 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). In my 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). However, a pump with a 1-1/2 inlet/outlet can work with a filter with a 2 inlet/outlet if needed to. The filter, pump, pipes, heater, backwash valve, return, and other accessories have an effect on how water flows throughout your system. . Please check your entries and try again. Additional resources for your pool buying journey: READY TO RELAX? Determine how many gallons you need to pump per hour to clean all the water in your pool in eight hours. You'll want to err on the side of caution and use the smallest piping for your pool's maximum flow rate. Concrete: Pros, Cons, and More! GPM considers your pool size and the number of turnovers you need per day (your turnover rate). This is where variable speed pool pumps come in handy they can speed up and slow down when you need them to, resulting in a much safer pool chemistry and energy efficient setup, which is a nice savings on that electric bill. This would allow a range of acceptable pumps instead of assuming only one options. 1.5-inch intake line, the maximum flow rate is 42 GPM, 2-inch intake line, the maximum flow rate is 73 GPM, 2.5-inch intake line, the maximum flow rate is 120 GPM, 3-inch intake line, the maximum flow rate is 160 GPM. 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. You have to take the lower of those two values to make sure you dont overwork any components of your pool, so your maximum flow rate comes to 43 GPM. 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DESIGN YOUR DREAM POOL TODAY. 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. Well start with filters.
All pool pump models will have charts with horsepower estimates based on flow rate ranges and total dynamic head. There are a few primary factors that go into finding the right size pool pump. Shoot me a message and Ill be happy to help. Increasing the PVC pipe size from 1-1/2" to 2" will increase any pumps GPM. Now that we have the minimum and maximum flow rates for your pool setup, put them together to get to your flow rate range: one of the two main specs for determining the pool pump size you need. Typically, youre going to average 0.3 to 0.35 GPM per square foot of surface area. Vinyl VS. Fiberglass VS. Sand Filter Calculator: How Much Sand Do You Need? Always remember to take the lowest of the maximum flow rates for sizing up your pool pump. More on purchasing a pool during or even post-pandemic can be found. Above ground pools typically fall around 30 TDH. Michael has over 25 years of experience in the swimming pool industry. Now back to choosing the best pool pump for you. Here are the flow rates for common filter types and sizes. While pools traditionally purchased in the Spring or even late Summer can usually have many weeks of use that same year, the entire industry is currently delayed by several weeks and in some cases several months. PRO TIP: No matter which type of pump you choose, youll want to make sure you properly select the correct pump and filter combination. This typically looks likes 40 GPM (gallons per minute) for smaller pools and 80 GPM for larger pools. This calculation differs based on pool shape but is pretty straightforward. You can also learn more about Single Speed and Variable Speed Pumps Here! Almost there! Cartridge filters are a lot bigger and a little less exact. Use my pool volume calculator below, and then Ill start calculating the minimum flow rate you need for your pump. Pool Salt Calculator: How Much Salt Do You Need to Add? Well go into more specifics on TDH in another post.