Straight answers about pools, hot tubs and keeping them running
Most pool pumps run well for roughly a decade before the motor wears out, though heavy use, poor maintenance or a harsh climate can shorten that considerably. Filters usually last longer structurally, but their internal media — cartridges, sand or grids — need replacing on a separate, shorter cycle. How long does a pool pump … Read more
A pool pump loses prime when air gets into the suction side of the system instead of water, so the impeller spins in air rather than moving water through the pipes. The usual causes are a low water level, a clogged skimmer or pump basket, a loose lid or O-ring, or a suction-side leak drawing … Read more
A filter pressure gauge measures how much resistance the water is meeting as it pushes through the filter media. A rising number means the filter is catching debris and getting harder to push water through. A low or zero reading usually means low flow, a closed valve, or a pump problem, not a clean filter. … Read more
Pool heaters take so long because they’re raising the temperature of thousands of gallons of water while that same water is constantly losing heat to the air, the ground and evaporation. A heater adds warmth gradually; the pool loses it just as steadily, so the net gain each hour is small. How much water is … Read more
A solar cover is a lightweight plastic sheet, usually covered in small air-filled bubbles, that floats directly on a pool’s surface. It works by trapping heat from sunlight and slowing evaporation, which is the main way a pool loses both warmth and water. It is a heat-retention tool, not a safety barrier. What exactly is … Read more
A gas heater burns propane or natural gas to heat pool water quickly, in almost any weather, but costs more to run per hour. A heat pump uses electricity to move existing warmth from the outside air into the water, which is cheaper to run but slower and less effective in cold air. Neither is … Read more
A pool heater adds cost mainly through the energy it burns or draws to replace heat that constantly escapes the water. The size of that add-on depends on fuel type, target temperature, how exposed the pool is, and how many hours the heater actually runs — not on the heater itself. How much does a … Read more
A failing pool pump usually announces itself before it quits outright: louder or grinding noise, weaker return flow, water pooling under the housing, a burning smell, or a breaker that keeps tripping. Catching these early prevents a bigger repair and keeps the pool circulating properly in the meantime. What does a pool pump actually do, … Read more
Pump head — more precisely “total dynamic head” — is the amount of resistance a pool pump has to overcome to push water through the plumbing, filter, heater and back into the pool. It’s measured as a height of water rather than a pressure number, and it matters because a pump has to be matched … Read more
Why Is a Pool Pump the Biggest Energy User in Most Pools? A pool pump usually runs for hours every single day, moving the entire volume of the pool through the filter, while most other pool equipment switches on briefly or only in season. That combination of long runtime and constant motor load is what … Read more
About what you read here. Everything on Pools Shop is general information and our own editorial opinion. We research carefully and we say when the evidence is unclear, but we can be wrong, things change, and no article can know your particular situation. Please do your own research and make your own judgement rather than treating anything here as the final word. Prices, products and specifications around pools, hot tubs and their upkeep change constantly, and what suits one person will not suit another. Check current details yourself, and where a decision involves real money, safety or something you cannot undo, it is worth confirming with a qualified pool or electrical professional before you act.