Most pools need 8–12 hours of circulation per day, depending on the pool size, equipment, and season.

• In summer (or heavy use): Aim for the higher end (10–12 hours).
• In cooler months: You may only need 6–8 hours.
• If you have a variable-speed pump, you can run it longer at lower speeds for better efficiency and lower electricity costs.

👉 Rule of thumb: Your pump should circulate the entire pool volume at least once daily.

It depends on your pool volume (gallons) and how quickly you want turnover.

• Pump: Must be sized to match your plumbing and filter. Too big wastes energy; too small doesn’t circulate water properly. (For example: A 20,000-gallon pool often needs a 1.5–2 HP variable-speed pump).
• Filter: Aim for at least 1 square foot of filter area per 10,000 gallons. Larger filters last longer between cleanings and put less strain on the pump.
• Heater: Gas or heat pump sizing depends on surface area, not just gallons. Example: A 400K BTU gas heater or a 120K–140K BTU heat pump is common for a standard backyard pool.

👉 Best practice: Always size equipment to the largest need (surface area, gallons, expected usage), and if unsure, oversize the filter/heater slightly but not the pump.

On average: 2–3 years, depending on use and care.

• Heavy use, lots of debris, or poor water balance → closer to 1–2 years.
• Light use with regular cleaning and good chemistry → up to 3 years.
• Signs it needs replacing: fabric fraying, cracked end caps, water still cloudy after cleaning, or pressure staying high even after washing.

👉 Tip: Rinse cartridges every 2–4 weeks and deep clean with filter cleaner a few times per year to maximize life.