High vs. Low: Which Is Better To Run a Pool Pump At?

Pool pumps are the heart of your pool. They assist with cleaning, filtering, and heating up your pool by ensuring the steady movement of water to different systems attached to the pool. But a common question I know many pool owners have is, “Should I run the pool pump at high or low?”

Running a pool pump at low conserves energy and saves you money. However, running a pool pump at high ensures better cleaning and heating. Ideally, you should run your pool pump at high for 2-3 hours and then at low for 6-9 (total of 8-12 hours) hours for efficient cleaning and energy conservation.

In the rest of this article, I’ll explain the benefits of running your pool pump at high or low and when you should adjust the speed. I’ll also clear up the question of how long you should run your pool pump. So let’s dive in!

When Should You Run a Pool Pump at High?

If you think of your pool’s management system as a circulatory system, the pool pump would be the heart. It ensures that the water in your pool is clean, healthy, and properly treated.

A pool pump pulls water from the pool and then pushes it toward the heaters, filters, and other treatment systems. The water circulates through those systems until clean, warm water is pushed back into the pool.

Many newer pool pumps have variable speeds. This means you can manually adjust the pool pump’s speed. So, in that case, should you run the pool pump at high speeds or low speeds?

You should run a pool pump at high speed in the following situations.

Lots of leaves have fallen into the pool.
The weather is very cold, so you need to heat the water before using the pool.
The pool hasn’t been cleaned properly for a while.
The pool water needs to be treated with chemicals and/or filtered.

Pros of Running a Pool Pump at High Speed

Since pool pumps now come with adjustable speeds, treating your pool water more effectively is possible.

Here are some benefits of running a pool pump at high speed:

You can heat up the pool much faster.
Your pool water gets cleaned faster.
The filtration and treatment systems clean your water more than at lower speeds.
You can quickly and effectively remove dirt and debris from your pool water.
You can swim in the water while it’s running because of how fast the pool pump cleans it.

Cons of Running a Pool Pump at High Speed

Although there are clear benefits to running a pool pump at a higher speed, there are also some downsides.

Here are a few cons of running a pool pump at high speed:

The pool pump uses a lot of energy and can become one of the most energy-consuming systems in your house.
High energy leads to higher energy costs.
You may also have extra charges for high energy consumption, during peak times of the day.
You can’t keep the pool pump running for too long without driving up costs.
Since you have to switch off the pool pump sooner, the water quickly becomes stagnant.
The pool pump becomes noisier at higher speeds.
Higher speeds means higher filter pressure, which can reduce filtration system lifespan

When Should You Run a Pool Pump at Low?

Did you know that pool pumps can often be your house’s second-largest energy expenditure? The only one that surpasses it is your house’s heating or cooling system. Conventional pool pumps (single-speed) can add as much as $450 to your annual energy costs!

Hayward W3SP2303VSP MaxFlo VS Variable-Speed Pool Pump

This is why I recommend using a variable-speed pool pump. These pool pumps have adjustable speeds, which allow you to increase or decrease them as needed. For example, the Hayward W3SP2303VSP MaxFlo Vs Variable Pump (available on Amazon) has a maximum flow rate of a whopping 160 gallons (727.37 l) per minute. It also has a lower noise level and advanced design, making it ideal for inground pools.

Commercial pools have to operate their pool pumps 24/7 to ensure clean water. However, homeowners can operate their pool pumps as needed. At a minimum, you should operate the pool pump for at least 8 hours. Ideally, you should run it for around 12 hours on average.

This is a long time to run a pool pump at high speed, so here are the times you should run it at lower speeds:

When your pool needs minimal cleaning.
When the weather is warm enough that you don’t need much heating.
When you want to save energy.
When you want to cut costs.
You need to keep the pool pump running longer (such as overnight cleaning).

Pros of Running a Pool Pump at Low Speed

As I mentioned earlier, there are some clear benefits to running a pool pump at high speed. However, there are also an equal number of benefits for running it at lower speeds.

Here are some benefits of running a pool pump at a low speed:

You can save money.
You reduce your energy consumption.
The treatment system distributes chemicals more evenly because of the lower water circulation speed.
The slow, steady water circulation prevents algae buildup.
Lower speeds mean lower noise levels.
You can keep the pool pump running for much longer while using the same energy.

Cons of Running a Pool Pump at Low Speed

Although there are many benefits to running a pool pump at a low speed, it can also be ineffective and slow.

Here are some cons of running a pool pump at lower speeds:

It isn’t always as effective at cleaning the water.
It takes more time to heat, treat, and clean the water.
You have to wait for a while before you can swim while the pump works.
Cleaning leaves or debris isn’t always effective because the lower speed might not pull all the dirt and leaves properly.

Should a Pool Pump Run All the Time?

Ideally, a pool pump should run all the time. However, running a pool pump 24/7 is very expensive and uneconomical for private pool owners. The rule of thumb for private pools is to run the pool pump at least 8 hours a day for conventional pumps and 12 hours a day for variable-speed pumps.

How to Program a Variable Speed Pool Pump

The next step would be adjusting your variable speed pool pump to maximize cleaning and cost-effectiveness. There are many pool pump brands and models, so it’s best to read over your specific pumps owners manual, or watch a few videos featuring similar models. To get you started, below is a video outlining the programming of a Pentair pump.

Final Thoughts

Running a pool pump at low speed is better for energy conservation and saving money. However, higher speeds clean the pool faster and more thoroughly.

Both have pros and cons, and the speed you choose depends on your specific needs. High speeds are the way to go if you need quick, thorough cleaning and treatment. However, for general use, low speeds are more economical and efficient.