Just like with any other type, above-ground swimming pools need circulation so they can stay clear and healthy for people to use. So, all pools need a pump to move the water, which means all pools need electricity.
Above-ground pools in Orlando need more water movement than most areas of the US. This means their pool pumps need to be sized correctly and run longer. This also means more electricity.
THE WARMER THE WATER, THE MORE ALGAE GROWS
Since Orlando is in a hot region with about eight hot months, algae grow like crazy in swimming pools here. In addition to chemicals that kill and dispose of algae, the water needs to be moving too.
Moving water distributes the chemicals faster and more evenly, adds oxygen to the water, and slows the growth of algae overall. So, if you have a pool in Orlando, then you’ll be needing a good pump to move the water.
ABOVE-GROUND POOLS HAVE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PUMPS
Above-ground pool packages come with pump/filter combo packs. These packs are specially made for AG pools and ALWAYS have pumps with plug-in type 120-volt electric cords.
TYPICAL ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ABOVE-GROUND POOL PUMP IN ORLANDO
1 Standard 3-prong 120v outlet
This is a plug just like any other in your house. It’s ideal to run an outlet out to the pump sitting next to the pool in your yard, but many just use an extension cord using their existing outdoor electric outlet by the house.
NOTE: Some above-ground pumps come with a special “twist-lock” type plug. This is a pain because you will have to either install a twist-lock type outlet OR change the pump cord to a standard 3-prong type.
2 A dedicated circuit with a 15 or 20-amp circuit breaker
Pool pumps take a lot of electricity (for 120v), so they don’t like to share the power source with anything else.
If you just use your outside house outlet, it may have a couple of outlets inside the house sharing that same line (that goes back to the beaker panel). If it does and you are using the other outlets for something, then the pump may “trip” the breaker at the electric box due to an overload demand of electricity. Not good.
So, to have proper electricity going to your pool pump, you will need that electric line that is going from your breaker panel to your pump to be all by itself or “dedicated” to just the pump.
NOTE: Soft-sided, Walmart, Intex, or Bestway type pools have much smaller pumps and require much less electricity. They may be able to share a circuit with other things.
3 A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)
Have you noticed that some of the outlets in your kitchen and bathroom are different-looking? They may have a couple of buttons on them.
Those are outlets with a GFCI. And they are there because water is nearby. Since water and electricity don’t play well together. By code, a GFCI is there in case water mixes with electricity.
The GFCI will prevent you from killing yourself or your house from burning down by quickly killing the power if it senses a power surge or something.
A swimming pool has water. A pool pump has water running through it. So, as a protection, there should be a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) somewhere in line between the pump and the breaker panel.
DIFFERENT WAYS PEOPLE RUN ELECTRICAL TO THEIR ABOVE-GROUND POOL PUMPS
There is a big variation in how people choose to get the electricity to their pool pumps. Here’s a list of some of those ways from best and most expensive to easiest and cheapest.
A Hire an electrician
Having an electrician run power to your pump is the safest and best way, but you’re gonna pay for that.
Many getting an above-ground pool are on a smaller budget, so they don’t go this route. If you do though, you are currently looking at $500-$1500 on average depending on where your breaker box is and how far away the pool pump is.
B Run the power to code yourself
This will be cheaper than using an electrician, but will be a lot of work and you’ll have to know what you (or a friend or family member) what you are doing.
C Tap into your outside house outlet and run a wire to the pump to set up an outlet there
After making sure the outside outlet isn’t sharing any other power needs AND it’s got a GFCI on it, you can wire in #12 or #10 wire and run it underground out to where the pump is.
From there you will stub up an outside, waterproof outlet close enough to plug the pump into.
D Bury an extension cord from the outside outlet of the house to the pump
Although not ideal, I have seen this used and work for many years. Just make sure and use a good quality extension cord and somehow waterproof where the pump cord plugs into the extension cord.
E Lay out an extension cord on top of the ground from the house outlet to the pump cord
This is the fastest, easiest, and cheapest way to get your pool pump running, but I don’t at all recommend it.
I have seen this hundreds of times though. The cord will need replacing within a couple of years at the longest and it’s not good for mowing the lawn and is a tripping hazard.
My thinking is that many will do this as a temporary way to get power to the pump, but then never upgrade.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO CONSIDER WITH THE ELECTRICAL NEEDS OF AN ABOVE-GROUND SWIMMING POOL
1 Add a timer
Most above-ground pool pumps don’t have timers on them. And since most will only need to run about 8 hours a day, you’ll want a timer to automatically turn the pump on and off.
It’s very common for people to assume their pool package comes with a timer. Let me tell you, 99 times out of 100, it doesn’t.
1 Equipment add-ons that require electricity
Addons like salt chlorine generators and ionizers will need to be plugged in as well. Keep this in mind when running your electricity.
If installing a standard outdoor outlet, there will be two outlets (like in your house), so will be able to accommodate one extra plug, but not two.
2 Pool lights
There are many pool lights on the market that use solar to run, but there’s still no substitute for a light running from an electrical power source. Consider this with your electrical setup and consider where the light is going in reference to where your power is run.
3 Landscaping lights
Just like pool lights, there are so many landscaping lights that run on solar, but they are nowhere as good as ones running from a real power source.
If your budget is bigger and you are making your yard look nice around the pool too, then since you are already running power out into the yard, this is a good time to run some power for landscaping lighting.
4 Potential electrical needs for pool users
If you are planning on a pool deck or an area to hang out next to the pool, consider running an outlet in that area just in case you need to power something.
CONSIDERING ME TO INSTALL YOUR POOL? GREAT! HERE’S MY PRICE SHEET.
PLEASE NOTE THOUGH THAT I (OR NO OTHER POOL INSTALLER) DO ANY ELECTRICAL WITH THE POOL INSTALLATION