The swimming pool is the focal point of the home for many Jacksonville homeowners. Pool companies like us know the importance of keeping your pool clean and functional year-round. This starts with installing the right pump.

The right pump keeps your pool spotless and inviting 365 days a year. It’s crucial to understand your options and what factors into the decision before making your purchase. One of the main areas of confusion for Florida Luxury Pools clients is what kind of pump maximizes a pool’s functionality. Read below for our expert advice on selecting the right pool pump.

How to Choose the Right Pump for Your Pool

The best way to make sure you’re making the right decision is to work closely with a five-star rated pool company. Yep, that’s Florida Luxury Pools! Keep these three factors in mind before purchasing a pump.

Factor #1: The Pump Must Perfectly Match the Pool Size

This is a tricky decision that greatly impacts the price you pay down the road. The right size pump maintains the right “turnover” — how long it takes to move the volume of water in your pool through the sanitation and filtration process. For example, one turnover for a 15,000-gallon pool is equal to 15,000 gallons.

It’s a simple calculation, really. Your pool must turnover twice per day, so the equation is:

Your pool volume (gallons) × 2 = gallons required daily for a 12-hour turnover

Pumps use the terminology of “GPM” or gallons per minute. After you recall your middle school math skills and complete the equation above, it’s time to convert it to GPM.

Your pool volume (gallons) ÷ 24 hours = x gallons/hour

x gallons/hour ÷ 60 minutes = x gallons/minute (GPM)

This means a 15,000-gallon pool requires an output of 20 GPM to run the entire day. Although, many people choose to run their pool just eight hours per day. Stagnant water for the other 16 hours results in algae growth and pH imbalances.

With all that being said, it’s crucial to work closely with an expert to make the right selection. A Florida Luxury Pools team member will help you select a multi/variable-speed pump to eliminate concerns and fit your pool filtration needs.

Factor #2: Keep Your Backyard in Mind Before Buying

Another instance of the purchasing process where size certainly matters. The space surrounding the pool impacts the brand and type of pump you purchase. Some pumps require a lot of space, which isn’t often ideal for small backyards found in many Jacksonville homes.

We recommend selecting a small to medium variable-speed pump that can be adjusted based on your filtration needs at the time.

Factor #3: Select a Pump with Just the Right Amount of Power

It’s crucial to find the sweet spot between too much and too little power. Many pool companies try to sell homeowners on larger pumps as a buying incentive, but it’s not necessarily beneficial to you and your pool. In fact, it can cause serious problems and high electric bills.

If the pump is too powerful and moves the water too quickly then your pool water may not be properly filtered and cleaned. An overpowering pump can harm the pipes, filter and heater.

Alternatively, a pump without enough power isn’t capable of filtering and cleaning all of the water in your pool. If you’re trying to save some money by selecting a low horsepower pump, you’re doing a great disservice to yourself and your pool.

Skip the Confusion and Consult One of the Local Pool Companies

Feeling overwhelmed? We don’t blame you. Selecting the right pump is stressful work that’s best left to experienced pool builders you can trust. It’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make when it comes to your custom swimming pool — influencing maintenance costs, cleanliness and pool functionality.

“The whole team did a great job with our pool. Very professional and lovely to work with. We love our pool and so do our kids!” -Rami K., Google Review

We work hard to maintain a reputation in the Jacksonville community to be a custom pool builder you can trust. Whether it’s helping you select a pump to perfectly fit your pool or installing a fully-custom pool feature, our team is here to bring your backyard pool vision to life.

Chat with one of the Florida Luxury Pools experts today to get started on your custom pool and pump selection. We look forward to working with you!