The phrase "bigger is better" is often untrue.
- is a bigger dent in your brand new car or truck better?
- is heavier snowfall better?
- is a massive headache better?
- is higher debt better?
- is a bigger leak in your pool better?
Too many pool owners think that the bigger the pump's horsepower the better. Wrong. 100% incorrect. Not ever close to being right. Just plain wrong.
If the horsepower of your pool pump is too big, here are the results:
- the water will move so fast through the pipes that the potential for entrapment and drowning at suction fixtures and pipes (primarily the main drain) increases.
- the water will move so fast through the filter that the filter media will not be able to trap and remove dirt and debris from the pool water.
- the water will move so fast through the filter that it could actually damage internal parts of the filter, which will result in down-time and also necessitate a service call.
- your electric bill will be way higher each month than it needs to be.
What about any of this is better?
A pool is not a spa - you are not looking for therapy-action, pulsating water, and massive water movement. For a pool pump, make sure the pump is just big enough to circulate and filter the water so that the water is clean and clear.
You can read the Pool Manual for additional information about pool pumps and proper sizing of the pump, to include flow rates, turnover rates, and velocity of water movement.