Is closing the Pool Pump in the night when not using good?

Question

Due to prices of electricity, oil going up... I am contemplating of closing the Pool Pump just during the night from like 8 or 9 till 6am in the morning. I will turn the pool pump back on. I know that having the pool pump runnning all the time is good for the pool as well as it 'turns' the water over. I have an inground pool and so far I had it on 27/7 since May and water is crystal clear at least for now. It is a chlorine based pool and the chlorine is not over added or other chemicals added too much. Should I turn of pump off if so will algae grow if I turn it off but will turn it back on after 5;30am before leaving for work. I have the chlorinator to add it automatically.

Answer 1

You will be perfectly fine turning your pool pump off at night. I service about 50 pools weekly and ALL have timers that turn the pumps off at night. All of our pools run from 9am-9pm. If your equipment is properly sized you will turn the water over much more than 1.5 times in that 12 hour period. All pumps today move near 100 gallons a minute.  Dont worry and save the electricity.

Answer 2

Pool pumps and filters are sized to turn over your pools water volume 1.5 times in a 24 hour period. You need at least one turn over, so anything less than an 18 hour run time is asking for trouble. 6 hours off, maximum. One thing to remember here. By turning on then off your pump, you actually add wear and tear to it not to mention that it gobbles quite a bit of juice in start up, around 10-13 amps or so. You're electrical savings won't be 25%, they'll be less and then factor in the wear and tear.