Best Pump Size for Swimming Pool Heating

If you have a pool that you like to keep warm, then you may wonder what the best pump size for swimming pool heating is. That’s a very legitimate question because if you get the size of your pool pump wrong, your system may run inefficiently and it can also cause your pool heater to run erratically. None of these are conditions that any pool owner wants to have to deal with.

So, using a proper size pump on your heated swimming pool is definitely very important. The problem is, determining what is the right size pump for your heated pool is not as simple as giving you a number for the amount of horsepower your pool pump needs to have. Here are some other factors that go into sizing a swimming pool pump for a pool filtration system that has an added heater. 

Pool Size/Gallonage 

Current health standards say that a pool pump must circulate the entire amount of water in your swimming pool at least two times a day to keep it clean and sanitary. So as a pool’s size increases in surface area and depth so too does the pump size have to increase accordingly. This is regardless of whether or not you have a pool heater on the system. Gas heaters and heat pumps do not usually require extra pool pump pressure to properly circulate the water in the swimming pool. Just the opposite is true for rooftop solar pool heating systems. You will probably need to go up at least ½-horsepower on the calculated swimming pool pump size to properly circulate your swimming pool.

The Number of Feet of Plumbing

Another factor when determining the best pump size for pool heating is the length of the underground plumbing and the height the water has to be pumped upward to get into the swimming pool. The number of turns in that underground plumbing will also have to be compensated for. This is what pool professionals call ‘the amount of head’ that your swimming pool plumbing has. The higher the amount of head on a pool filtration system, the bigger the horsepower pump you must have. If the area you place your pool pump in is significantly far below the swimming pool, you may have to substantially increase the horsepower in your pump to properly run a pool heater. 

Swimming Pool Pump Type is Important Too

Not only is the best pump size for pool heating important when running a pool heater, so too is the type of pool pump that you use. Here are the two most common types of swimming pool pumps used on pool filtration systems with heaters. 

Single Speed Pumps

These are the most popular types of swimming pool pumps that have been used for decades. That’s because they consistently pump a set amount of pressure as long as the filter on a swimming pool system or the water intakes in the pool is not clogged up. They are ultra-reliable and last a long time as long as they are properly maintained. The only problem is they have constant energy draw on them even under working conditions when a high amount of pump pressure is not necessary. 

Variable Speed Pumps

This is the most modern and most expensive type of pool pump but they will easily pay for themselves over time in energy savings. That’s because the amount of energy they draw is automatically adjusted internally to meet the demand placed on the pump. If you are heating your swimming pool by using an energy-efficient solar pool heating system, then the only energy costs that you will incur while that system is running is the cost of rubbing your pool pump. That’s why many swimming pool owners with solar pool heating systems try to make their heater even more energy efficient by adding a variable speed pump to their swimming pool filtration system. 

Pool Pump Size

If you have an average-sized inground pool with a deep end, say a 16 x 32 size pool, you can usually run a 2-horsepower pump and sufficiently keep it clean and still run a heater. Smaller size pools can run even smaller horsepower pumps. The safest way to properly size your pool pump to run a heater on the plumbing system is to consult with your local pool or solar heater installation professional. They know how to factor in such things as the amount of head on your plumbing system and the pool size and gallonage to determine the correct size pump you will need to run a heater on your swimming pool. 

Solar Pool Heaters and Pool Pumps in Jacksonville, FL

When you call Wayne’s Solar, we will guide you and provide expert recommendations on the best pump size for swimming pool heating. We have a team of extensively trained professionals who are more than happy to assist you in the installation of Jacksonville solar pool heaters and pool pumps for your home. Our services are also available in Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Palm Coast, Ormond Beach, New Smyrna Beach, and surrounding areas. Contact us at 386-673-9720 to get a free estimate.