Get matched with top above ground pool installation pros in Absarokee, MT

Yes, pool pumps use a significant amount of electricity, making them one of the biggest energy consumers in a home. A pool pump can use up to three times as much electricity as a refrigerator. Typically, a residential pool pump consumes about 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) for every hour it runs. Because pumps often need to run for about eight hours a day to properly filter the water, this can add up to an annual consumption of 3,000 to 5,000 kWh, which can cost between $480 and $800 per year based on average electricity rates.

The amount of electricity your pump uses depends on its size, energy efficiency, and daily run time. To lower your energy consumption, you can choose an energy-efficient or variable-speed pump, ensure it is correctly sized for your pool, and run it only for the minimum time required to keep the water clean.

The best time to schedule an annual pool inspection is early or late spring, before the busy summer season. Your inspector can identify urgent issues so you can address them before using the pool. If your region is warm year-round, schedule an inspection before you start swimming regularly. 

It takes more electricity to run one, so it’s not necessarily cheaper to run a salt water pool. However, the cost difference is relatively minor; it may cost an extra $50 over the course of a year. However, salt costs a lot less than chlorine sanitizers. This lowers the overall maintenance costs for a salt water pool compared to chlorine pools.

Pool chemical levels should include a pH between 7.4 and 7.6, alkalinity between 80 to 120 ppm, and chlorine from 1 to 3 ppm. The size and type of your pool determine additional chemical levels, such as stabilizers and pool shock, but you can get to know these numbers using our pool maintenance 101 guide.