Black + Decker Pool Pump Savings
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One of the more popular video and article series I have made is a cost comparison video showing a Pentair Superflo variable speed pump compared to a similar size pump that runs only on high speed and only for part of the day. In both examples we achieve the same amount of filtered water each day, however with a low-and-slow 24 hour pump schedule we are able to pump the same (more, actually) water as the single speed pump for substantially less money every day. These savings certainly add up over time. Now, continuing this series we are looking today at a new Black + Decker 1.5hp variable speed pump and comparing this to a single speed pump run schedule.
Black + Decker pool pumps are new to the market for the 2022 swimming pool season. As one of the lowest price point variable speed pump offerings available to pool owners it is of little surprise that many pool owners are deciding to buy one and try it. To help with the decision making process (as well as for comparison) this page looks at the daily operating cost, the monthly operating cost, and then the total cost to operate for a service cycle of 84 months. Note that while any variable speed pump has the potential to save you money on electricity, in order to get the maximum benefit from investing in a variable speed pump you need to also have a flow meter so you can dial in your filtration amounts and flow rates for different RPM motor speeds.
Pool width: 16'
Pool length: 32'
Average depth: 5'
Volume: 20,000 Gallons
Filtration goal: 60,000 gal/day
The goal with pool water filtration is that you want to filter all of your water every day. Due to the math behind water diffusion you require three turnovers of the pool volume to achieve 95% of the water in your pool being filtered one time. You can filter less if you choose to, but anything not filtered from your water will then need chemicals like chlorine to deal with, where you could have used mechanical filtration. The first turnover of your pool volume will net about 63% of the water in your pool to be filtered at least one time. 86% on the second turnover and by the time you pump the volume of your pool three times through the filter this will result in 95% of your pool water being filtered at least one time.
1.5 HP Single Speed Pump
100 GPM / 6000 GPH
1.56 kW per hour (6000 Gallons)
10 hours needed to reach 60,000 gallons
10 x 1.56 kW x $0.13 (nationwide average electricity cost)
= $2.03 per day
= $60.90 per month
= $5115.60 after 84 months
In the example above the 60,000 gallon per day filtration goal is achieved by 10 hours per day of operation for the pump. During this time the pump is consuming about 1560 Watts every hour, during which time it is able to pump approximately 6000 gallons. After 10 hours the pump has moved the total filtration goal of 60,000 gallons, and the total electrical cost based on the nationwide overage of $0.13 per kWh of power consumption equals $2.03 per day to operate this pump and filter the pool water properly. With a variable speed pump you want to run the pump 24 hours per day instead of turning it off part of the day as this is the key to maximizing your savings. The pool only needs a few hours at higher speeds and a few hours at medium speeds to satisfy flow requirements for gas heaters and salt systems. The majority of your day could and should be at lower RPM operation.
1.5 HP Variable Speed Pump
3 Hours @ 3000 RPM / 86 GPM
6 Hours @ 2000 RPM / 55 GPM
15 Hours @ 1000 RPM / 29 GPM
1040 W/h @ 3000 x 3 = 3.12 kW
348 W/h @ 2000 x 6 = 2.1 kW Watts
68 W/h @ 1000 x 15 = 1.02 kW Watts
6.24 kW per day x $0.13 / kWh
= $0.81 per day
= $24.30 per month
= $2041.20 after 84 months
That is a total savings of $3074.40 after 84 months for the variable speed pump! Watch the video below to see it for yourself:
As you can see by changing to a variable speed pump with a 24 hour filtration schedule you are actually able to filter more water than with the single speed pump, and you are able to do so for considerably less money. Over $3000 less in this example based on a projected 84 month service cycle for the pump. It does not matter whether you live in a place where your pool runs 365 days per year or whether you live in a colder climate with a short swimming season...every month that you run your variable speed pump you are saving money. It will just take you longer to get to 84 months of operation. Also worth noting in this direct comparison between single speed pumps and variable speed pumps is that with the single speed the pool is siting stagnant 14 hours every day where the variable speed pump pool never sits stagnant, which is decidedly better for your pool.
The key to unlocking the savings potential of a variable speed pump boils down to a few key components. The first is a variable speed pool pump, next is understanding how a low and slow 24 hour filtration schedule with periods at medium and higher speeds is an advantage for you, and finally, the missing link is that you must buy and install a flow meter so you know how much water your pool filtration system is moving. This is critical to being able to get the maximum savings for your investment. Like a speedometer for a car, a flow meter tells you exactly how much water is moving through your system which you need to know in order to recreate the savings shown on this page in your own pool.
The final component is to know and understand that every swimming pool system is unique. No two pools are exactly the same and what might be sufficient for one pool might be lacking for another in terms of motor RPM. This is why it is important to not simply import these settings to your pump, but try to understand the concepts at work here and the use a variable speed pump and a flow meter to recreate similar results for your unique pool.
Savings for a 20,000 gallon pool example
Small pool VS pump savings breakdown
Swimming pool flow meters
Why don't more pools have flow meters?
How much power does a pool pump use?
Variable speed pool pump reviews
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Swimming Pool Steve is an award winning, second generation swimming pool specialist from Ontario Canada and one of the most trusted voices in the swimming pool industry. With over 20,000,000 views on the Swimming Pool Steve YouTube Channel, winner of the Pleatco Pool & Spa Industry Leadership award and author of hundreds of pool and spa articles both online and in print. Steve is committed to helping pool and spa owners as well as pool and spa industry workers learn more about the technical side of building, renovating, repairing and maintaining all types of swimming pools and spas. Follow Swimming Pool Steve on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
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www.PoolPartsToGo.com
New Black + Decker variable speed pumps are available online from www.PoolPartsToGo.com and they are a drop in replacement for many popular pump models including Pentair Superflo and Hayward Super Pumps. With an adjustable platform base, union connections included and a very strong warranty these pumps offer an impressive value to pool owners.
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