Run it 8–12 hours a day, low and slow.

Yes, that’s the sweet spot for most pools. Variable-speed pumps are built to run longer at lower RPMs, which is actually more efficient than blasting it for four hours.

The goal is to turn over the entire pool volume at least once per day. On low speed (say, 1,000–1,500 RPM), a typical 20,000-gallon pool takes about 8–12 hours to cycle through. If you’re not sure, time how long it takes to move one full volume—there are simple calculators online.

Run it during off-peak electric hours if your utility has time-of-use rates. That’s where the real savings live. Two shorter cycles (e.g., 4 hours morning, 6 hours evening) work fine too, especially if you’re skimming debris.

Don’t overthink the schedule. Set it once and let the pump do its thing. Your electric bill will thank you.