5 Things to Know About 1 HP Pumps for Above-Ground Pools

A 1 HP pump works for most above-ground pools up to 24 feet across. Anything bigger is usually overkill for standard round or oval setups.

Above-ground pools are shallow with low plumbing resistance. A 1 HP pump provides enough flow to turn over the water in 8-10 hours, which is the target.

A 1.5 HP pump can cause problems in standard above-ground pools. Too much flow can suck the liner inward, stress the filter, and waste electricity.

You might need 1.5 HP only for very large pools over 30 feet or high-flow sand filters. For 90% of people, 1 HP is sufficient.

If you’re between sizes, choose the smaller pump. You can always run it longer to achieve proper water turnover.