Does Pool Heat Faster with Pump on High?
The heating and cooling systems depend on how effectively they create a temperature gradient, making them efficient and affordable, especially compared to traditional heating or cooling pool methods.
Heat transfer effectiveness is higher with higher flow rates, but pump speeds increase at the cost of energy efficiency. You can use higher pump speeds to heat a pool faster, but it sacrifices efficiency. Flow rate does not affect pump speed because the same amount of energy flows regardless of whether it’s flowing from a low- or high-pressure tank.
Note that higher flow rates cause more turbulence in the water, which can lead to greater erosion and damage to pool walls and equipment.
So, when selecting pump speed, you should be aware that high-speed pumps are capable of greater problems than slower ones in certain circumstances.
The first test is to compare pump flow on a downward slope. If the water temperature exceeds the preheat required by the pump motor, the pump will operate at a lower flow rate while still pushing enough water to heat an empty pool adequately.
The second test is to compare pump flow on a typical upward slope.
Because the water temperature is lower than the preheat required by the pump motor, the pump should run at a higher speed while pushing enough water to heat an empty pool adequately.
The final test compares a steady level in a pool, where no gradual slope tells us which direction and how fast the pump flow should be.
In this case, a higher flow rate is necessary to heat the pool quickly.
How Can I Make My Pool Heat Up Faster?
- Use A Solar Cover
If you don’t have a cover, leave the pool open and use a solar blanket to help heat it.
- Add A Pump
To deal with the water level continuously dropping as you heat your pool, add a pump or aerator to push water down from an overhead pipe into your Spa or filter.
- Use Solar Sun Rings
This is an excellent idea because it helps the water to heat up faster, and you can use less water in your pool.
You will have to keep moving the rings around to prevent them from becoming too hot, but the water in them will slowly heat up.
- Build A Windproof Pool Enclosure
You can use wood, aluminum, and plexiglass. Using these materials can help keep the heat in around the pool.
- Snag A Pool Heat Pump
This pump works like a mini air conditioner, pumping heat from the bottom to the top of the pool. You can find these at many swimming pool supply stores.
- Use A Solar Blanket
You will have to place it at night and during summer. You can do this by tying some rope to a stake in the ground; that way, your neighbor’s dog will not bother you. This is also an alternative way of using solar heaters as well.
Keep in mind that when using a solar blanket, you must take it off during the daytime and apply water to it. You should do this so that it will be able to absorb more heat.
7. Use A Timer on Your Pump
In the summer, you can set your pump timer to run for several hours during the day so that your heater can use less energy and save you some money.
When Should I Use a High-Speed Pool Pump?
When Vacuuming the Pool | The High-speed vacuum pump will do the vacuuming for you -Reducing the work to about one week out of four |
When Emptying and Cleaning the Pool | When emptying and cleaning the pool, you can make use of a high-speed vacuum pump to suck up all the dirt/debris in a few minutes instead of having to do it by hand, which can take hours |
When Cleaning Out the Filter/Pump | When cleaning your filter/pump, you can use a high-speed vacuum pump to suck all the dirt and debris clogging up your filter in no time at all |
When Vacuuming Leaves and Pine Needles Out of The Pool | If you have lots of leaves and pine needles in your pool, then a high-speed vacuum pump will be useful for sucking them up and capturing them quickly before you need to do something with them |
When Cleaning Up After a Lot of Snow | If you have lots of snow in your pool, then a high-speed vacuum pump will help suck up all the snow and ice in the pool in no time at all |
We use high-speed pumps for vacuuming, cleaning, and suspending particles or granules. Sometimes the vacuumed material is so fine that it needs siphoning from one container into another.
High-speed vacuum pumps have a variety of uses. In addition to its vacuum use, some models are well suited for use as washing stations, high-speed dispersers, or treated filters.
Pool Pumps: Single Speed Vs. Two Speed
Single Speed | Two Speed | |
Speed Of the Pump-Up Pool | The single-speed reversible pump-up pools come with a higher horsepower motor, which can stir and lift water more effectively and reach greater depths.
This speed is usually low, so you must use it carefully | Two-speed pumps extract water efficiently in summer and winter periods by moving the impeller speed faster when it is hot and slower when it is cold. |
Power Consumption for These Pools | The single-speed reversible pump-up pool works efficiently but will consume a larger amount of electricity | Two-speed pumps have a lower rotation speed which can absorb more energy and deliver more water than the former types |
Performance In Different Temperatures | Single-speed Pool Pumps are specifically for cold weather. It does not tend to work in warm weather periods, as we consider the water temperature that rises above 25 degrees Celsius, a very hot day. | The two-speed pumps can also cope with cold weather and work effectively in hot weather. |
Application | Single-speed pump-up pool is for public washroom use | Two-speed Pump-up pool is for residential and commercial environments. |
Why Is My Pool Heater Not Reaching the Set Temperature?
- The Thermostat Is Set Too Low
When your thermostat boasts a low setting, it has the potential to be a major obstacle for your pool.
Low settings are set to conserve energy, but this can harm your heating system and will likely make your pool ice cold.
While the water may feel comfortable at low temperatures, it’s unsafe for swimmers. Ideally, you should be able to maintain a constant temperature range of 76-86 degrees Fahrenheit to keep everyone happy.

- Small Heater
If you use a small heater system, you will need more than the water flow to circulate throughout the pool.
This can cause the water to drop below the temperature set by your thermostat, and your heater will not be able to compensate.
- Low Quantity of Water in The Pool
If there is enough water in your pool for proper circulation, your heater can warm the pool to the desired temperature.
For your heater to function correctly, there must be at least 3 inches of water in your pool.
- Low Water Pressure
Your water pressure is integral for circulating heat through the pool. If you are experiencing low water pressure, then your heater will not be able to function appropriately and heat your pool to the desired temperature.
- Outdoor Unit Iced Up
If your outdoor unit is not adequately ventilated or covered for snow or ice, it may be unable to function.
Before you conclude that your heater has broken, check the temperature settings and ensure that the thermostat is high enough.
- A Faulty Heater Switch
Sometimes faulty switches will prevent your heater from functioning correctly. This problem can also occur if too much pressure forces the breakers inside the electrical box to shut off.
If this happens, your heater will not be able to heat your pool when you want it to.
Does Variable-Speed Pool Pumps Save Money?
Yes! Variable-speed pool pumps use considerably less power than single-speed pumps, saving the average pool owner anywhere from $300-$500 per year on energy costs.
This is a significant saving and one that you can see quickly in the returns of your investment.
Many people consider variable-speed pumps the best bang for the buck because of their ability to save energy cost-effectively.
Variable speed pumps do not increase noise or wear out parts quickly (this is a big problem with single-speeds due to the simple design of those units).
Variable-speed pool pumps can last longer than many other pool equipment types that are more expensive.
Variable speed pumps work by employing something called “load matching.” This means that the pump can detect the load on it and then adjust accordingly, which can mean up to 90% energy savings.
In addition, variable-speed pumps can also reduce wear on the impeller, which keeps things running smoothly for a long time.
While variable speed pumps reduce energy consumption by a large amount, they are for more than just the average pool owner.
They also help with the following:
-Reduce electricity costs all year long and into the next summer season.
-Allow you to use solar panels more effectively, as you can use the pool pump to run your water heater, hot tub, or Spa, which would otherwise require additional electric use.
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Pool Pump 24 Hours A Day?
Running a pool pump 24 hours a day would cost an average of $1.36 daily. The running cost for pool pumps primarily depends on the pump’s wattage rating and the number of days a pool is open.
The cost can also result from many things, such as if the pump is on a timer or not, if it is on the main breaker or an add-on breaker, and if it is on a solar-powered charge controller.
Pool owners who own multiple pool pumps will find running them non-stop more cost-effective than running them daily for 24 hours.
Each pool pump costs approximately $1.06 per day and $1.36 if operated 24 hours a day.
Still, if the pool owner has multiple pumps running on the same day, it will reduce the total cost of electricity used by each pump because they are not running at total capacity throughout the entire day and night.
For example, look at a scenario where four pool pumps run 16 hours a day on average. The number of pumps will divide the power usage of each pump run that day.
If the pool owner used two pumps per day and ran 16 hours, they would only consume 4.66 kilowatts of power daily.
If this pool were to use two pumps 24 hours a day, they would consume 7.28 kilowatts of power each day, which, when divided by four, equals 2.54 kilowatts per pump running 24 hours a day.
What Size Pump Do I Need for My Pool?
40 GPM (gallons per minute) for tiny pools and 80 GPM for larger pools.
The recommended size of a pool pump is 40 to 80 gallons per minute. The larger the pool, the more gallons per minute a pump needs to run.
For example, if you have a pool that holds 3,000 gallons of water and wants it filled in 10 minutes, then your pump needs to run at 400 GPM, and if you want it filled in half an hour, your pump needs to be able to run 800 GPM.
Pumps need power along with their flow rate. A pump that can fill a pool quickly and closely is a good upgrade for speedier pool filling. The motor power will have to be higher as well.
Using more power also means more fuel expense and wear on the pump’s bearings. The motor could overheat, leading to expensive repair bills and damaged parts.
And the motor’s bearings can overheat and fail prematurely, leading to costly repair bills. If you want to know what your pool pump wattage needs to be, use this equation:
(Pool size in gallons) x (water temperature in degrees Fahrenheit) / (desired pool fill time in hours) = watts
Most pumps have maximum flow rates of 80 GPM, though there are pumps that can go up to 100 GPM. The 80 GPM number is an ideal number for most pools.
However, you probably don’t need more than 40 GPM if you have a small pool. The best way to tell how much flow rate your pump has is to check the pump’s label.
Can You Oversize a Pool Pump?
No! Using a bigger pool pump is not recommended if it already has an undersized pump installed, as the filter will not operate properly. Oversizing a pool pump can:
- Cause leaks in the pool.
- Create dangerous backpressure and make the system blow out.
- Waste energy and money on unnecessarily large pumps.
It may be tempting to believe that oversizing a pump will help save money, but it can increase costs over time.
Oversized pumps are more likely to fail long-term, so you should stick with your original pump size and ignore the temptation.
If you need help determining the size pool pump you need, get in touch with your local pool store, and they can tell you if you need an upgrade.
They can also set up the pump to ensure no unnecessary backpressure comes from it, which will help reduce costs over time.
If you choose to install an oversized pump, it’s recommended that pool owners consider installing a bigger filter than they usually would.
This is because the oversize pump will not be able to remove the same amount of debris as a smaller size would. This can lead to leaks and other problems, so taking care of pool filters is essential.
How Many Gallons Per Hour Should My Pool Pump?
The key to the right amount of circulation depends on the size of your pool. A larger pool needs a larger pump, as well as more water pressure at the pool and less friction.
The greater the volume of water in the pool, the faster it will circulate.
Ground and In-Ground Pools work best when they have an average water circulation rate between 40 – 80 gallons per minute.
If you have a smaller pool, keep your circulation rate lower at 40 gallons per minute. You may need an even higher rate if you have a larger pool.
To see how much water flows through your pool, you can instantly change your settings and see real-time measurements of your pool’s circulation rate.
However, you can:
Add more skimmers. This increases water speed and improves the type of particles escaping into the deep end of your pool.
Install powerful skimmer baskets and add a top-rated filter system to catch floating debris. Using an integrated skimmer combined with powerful filtration eliminates many floating particles before they reach the main skim chamber.
Add a circulation pump. If the pump is not strong enough for your pool, the circulation rate will not be adequate.
Adding a separate pump with a high-performance impeller will ramp up water circulation and improve water quality quickly.
This powerful tool can push flow rates beyond 150 gallons per minute, an excellent way to improve your pool’s water quality quickly and effectively.
Conclusion
Pool heating costs have increased over the years, and continuing to run your pool pump will increase those costs.
If you use a fast pool pump with your hot tub, water heater, or Spa, you can see a decrease in electricity costs.