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Swimming Pool Pumps
A swimming pool pumps is needed to properly
operate all but a temporary swimming pool:
they circulate the water in the pool, keep
the chemicals that provide water clarity
and cleanliness correctly mixed, and remove
debris. If you are thinking of buying a pool
pump, consider the following:
- You should purchase the smallest size pump
possible for your pool. Recent studies have
shown that most pool pumps are too big for
the size of the pool, resulting in reduced
filter effectiveness, too much wear and tear
on the plumbing system, and increased electrical
costs. A properly sized pump should circulate
all of the pool’s water about once every
24 hours.
- To choose the right size pump, consult the
pool supplier’s chart and match the hydraulic
capacity of the pump to the size of the piping
system. For example, an average residential
pool with commonly installed 1 1/4 inch to
1 1/2 inch plumbing pipes needs a pump with
a 1/2 to 3/4 horsepower motor.
- The pump will operate more efficiently if
you decrease the length of the pipes or replace
90 degree elbow pipes with 45 degree or flexible
pipes. These changes can reduce water flow
resistance and can result in a savings of
up to 40% of electricity costs.
- Look for a pump that can be installed with
a timer that can activate the pump for a
number of short periods every day rather
than running it for a single period of many
hours. Short cycles keeps the pool water
cleaner.
- Clogged pool drains require the pump to work
harder, so keep the intake grates clear of
debris by routinely using a skimmer or pool
vacuum.
If you are using a solar swimming pool heater, you will also need to consider the workload
to pump the water to and through
the collector. |
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