Quick answer: Work out your pool volume in litres, divide it by the turnover time in minutes (about 6 hours for an outdoor pool) and you have the flow rate your pump must deliver. Most home pools need 0.45 to 1.1 kW. A variable-speed pump can cut running cost by 60 to 75% at current South African tariffs, and a solar pool pump removes grid use during the day.
How do I calculate my pool volume?
Multiply length by width by average depth, all in metres, then multiply by 1,000 to get litres. A rectangular pool of 10 m x 4 m x 1.4 m holds 56,000 litres. For a pool that slopes from shallow to deep, use the average of the shallow and deep ends. For an oval or kidney pool, take length times width times depth and multiply by about 0.85 as a rough guide.
Do not guess. A pump chosen for the wrong volume either never cleans the water or wastes power.
What flow rate does my pool pump need?
Divide the pool volume by the turnover time in minutes. Astral Pool’s guide gives turnover standards of 4 hours for indoor pools and 6 hours for outdoor pools. For a 56,000 L pool on a 4-hour turnover (240 minutes), that is about 233 litres a minute.
The pump must deliver that flow against the resistance of the pipes, valves, filter and fittings, known as total dynamic head. The same guide gives typical values of about 15 m for in-ground pools and 9 m for above-ground pools, so check the pump curve at your head, not just the headline flow. Avoid oversizing, because a pump that is too big raises running costs and can overload the filter.
How long should I run my pool pump?
Enough to turn the full volume over at least once a day, and longer in summer. EnergyBee’s 2026 guide suggests roughly 4 to 6 hours in spring and 6 to 8 hours in peak summer. The US PNNL guide goes further: run the pump at the lowest speed that keeps the water clear and circulating, and follow the rule of running it slower and for longer.
Run times also depend on bather load, leaves, algae and water temperature. Test the water regularly and adjust.
Which pump size suits which pool?
| Pool volume | Typical pump | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 35,000 L | 0.25 to 0.45 kW self-priming | Small plunge pools and ponds |
| 35,000 to 55,000 L | 0.45 to 0.75 kW | Typical townhouse or small garden pool |
| 50,000 to 85,000 L | 0.75 kW | Family pool, 63 mm plumbing |
| 80,000 to 150,000 L | 1.1 kW | Large family pool |
| 140,000 to 190,000 L | 1.5 kW | Very large or commercial-style pool |
These ranges follow the volumes quoted on Kamano’s listed pump specifications. Treat them as a starting point and confirm against the manufacturer’s flow data for your pipe size and filter.
How much does it cost to run a pool pump in 2026?
Eskom raised tariffs by 8.76% for direct customers from 1 April 2026, and municipalities are expected to apply an average of about 9.01% from July, according to EWN. EnergyBee’s August 2026 guide puts the Durban rate at R4.17 per kWh and other metros between R3.70 and R4.50, depending on tariff block.
| Pump type | Draw | Cost per month at 6 h/day (R4.17/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Single-speed 0.75 kW | 0.75 kW | about R563 |
| Single-speed 1.1 kW | 1.1 kW | about R826 |
| Single-speed 1.5 kW | 1.5 kW | about R1,127 |
| Variable-speed (filtration speed) | 0.25 to 0.35 kW | about R188 to R263 |
EnergyBee estimates the pool pump can add 20 to 25% to a typical home’s winter electricity use, and it calls the pump the second-biggest load after the geyser.
Why does variable speed save so much?
Pump power falls much faster than speed. The PNNL guide explains that running a pump at half speed uses about one-eighth of the energy, and it gives an example where a 30% speed reduction cuts a pump’s power by about 70%. The pool still gets filtered because it runs longer, just much more gently. PNNL says variable-speed pumps can reduce energy use by 50 to 90%.
Solar pool pumps take it a step further. A DC solar pump runs from panels in daylight, so the pool is filtered when the sun shines and no battery is needed, as EnergyBee notes. That works best where load-shedding or high tariffs are a concern.
Worked example: an 8 m pool in Durban
A family has an 8 m x 4 m pool, 1.5 m average depth, outdoors.
- Volume: 8 x 4 x 1.5 = 48 m3, or 48,000 L.
- Flow for a 6-hour turnover: 48,000 / 360 = about 133 L/min (8 m3/h).
- Pump choice: a 0.75 kW pump comfortably covers this on a 63 mm system.
- Running cost: at R4.17/kWh and 6 hours a day, a 0.75 kW single-speed pump costs about R563 a month. A variable-speed pump costs about R188 to R263.
- Saving: about R300 to R375 a month, or R3,600 to R4,500 a year.
With Kamano prices, the 0.75 kW variable-speed pump is R7,864 and the 0.75 kW single-speed is R2,399, so the extra R5,465 pays back in roughly 15 to 18 months if your tariff and run times match these numbers. Your own bill will vary, so check your tariff before deciding.
What does a pool pump cost?
Prices below are Kamano prices, VAT included. See all pool and pond pumps.
If you want to see how solar pumping works at larger scale, our solar borehole pump guide explains panels, DC versus hybrid and payback.
Delivery is by Kamano’s own trucks to all 9 provinces in 1 to 3 business days. Fees by order weight, VAT included, are R550 up to 30 kg, R950 up to 60 kg and R1,450 up to 100 kg, and over 100 kg is quoted. Orders of R20,000 or more get free delivery with coupon code KH027, which does not work below R20,000. See the Johannesburg delivery page. Payment is by EFT, and resellers and pool businesses can request a quote at our quote page.
What else affects pool pump performance?
Clean the strainer basket and skimmer weekly, because a blocked basket starves the pump and raises power use. Keep the pump below water level or ensure it is self-priming, and use a filter sized for the pump. Astral Pool pairs 500 W pumps with a 20 inch filter and 750 W pumps with a 24 inch filter, for example.
Electrical work around water carries real danger. Have a qualified electrician fit the pump circuit, earthing and an earth-leakage device. You can also fit a pump timer to run the pump when your tariff is lowest, or a controller to ramp the speed up for vacuuming and down for normal filtering.
Buying from outside South Africa?
Kamano’s standard delivery covers South Africa only. Buyers in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique and Eswatini should contact Kamano before ordering to discuss cross-border options. Call or WhatsApp +27 73 679 0837 or email sales@kamanoindustrial.co.za.
Sources
- What size pump do I need for my pool? (Astral Pool)
- Pool pump electricity cost in South Africa, 2026 (EnergyBee)
- Variable speed pool pumps (PNNL Building America Solution Center)
- Eskom electricity tariffs to rise by nearly 9% in April (EWN)
Frequently asked questions
What size pool pump do I need?
Divide your pool volume in litres by the turnover time in minutes. An outdoor pool is normally turned over in about 6 hours, so a 48,000 litre pool needs roughly 133 litres a minute. Most home pools use a pump between 0.45 and 1.1 kW, but check the flow at your head.
How many hours a day should a pool pump run?
Enough to turn the whole pool over at least once a day. Many owners run 4 to 6 hours in spring and 6 to 8 hours in peak summer. Variable-speed pumps are often run longer at low speed because that uses far less electricity.
Is a variable-speed pool pump worth it in South Africa?
Usually, yes. EnergyBee estimates running cost falls 60 to 75% against a single-speed pump. At R4.17 per kWh and 6 hours a day, a 0.75 kW single-speed pump costs about R563 a month and a variable-speed pump about R188 to R263.
Can a solar pool pump run without batteries?
Yes. A DC solar pool pump runs directly from panels in daylight, so no battery is needed, and the pool is filtered while the sun is out. It only filters while the sun shines, so make sure your daytime run time covers the pool’s turnover needs.