How Does A Variable Speed Pump Save You Money?
SwimmingPoolSteve.com is user-supported. In order to keep this resource about pools and spas available for free to all readers I earn commissions for purchases made through links on this page. For more information see the full disclaimer page. By using this website you are agreeing to the terms and conditions.
How does a variable speed pump save you money? Pool owners want answers more than ever since energy conservation laws have been introduced to help curb excessive energy use for both commercial and residential swimming pools. Any time you are forced, more or less, to invest into an expensive piece of technology it is only normal to be skeptical about whether this is really in your best interests or not. Well, rest assured, the technology behind the energy saving benefits of variable speed pumps is beyond refute. If you operate a proper filtration schedule for your variable speed pump this will cost you less money than a proper filtration schedule for a single speed pump.
The only real concern you should have as a pool owner is to make sure that you program and use you new variable speed pump properly. When you do this you will be able to meet the filtration requirements for your pool for less money than any possible operating schedule that uses a single speed pump. Take a look at this example of a super minimal approach to pool water filtration running a pool pump 4 hours per day. No matter how much you try to augment your filtration schedule with a single speed pump it still uses more power than a properly scheduled variable speed pump of similar size. Most importantly, the vast majority of pool owners do not actually run a lean filtration schedule with their single speed pump so the difference will be noticeable when they upgrade to a variable speed pump.
A variable speed pump saves you money by moving water more slowly, which reduces losses due to friction and turbulence, while also saving costs on electricity due to the nature of pump affinity laws. As the speed of the motor reduces by half, the power consumption is only 1/8th the value it was at full speed operation. In reality the questions from pool owners should not be about whether a variable speed pool pump really works or not - the questions should be about why we were all filtering pools in such an inefficient way for so long! To put this into a recent historical perspective, single speed pool pumps are like the gigantic and heavy cars from the 70's which made sense when gas was cheap. Once gas prices went up those cars were simply too impractical and the automotive industry had to change and adapt. With the cost of electricity being so high, and always getting higher, it makes sense to explore most energy efficient methods of filtering water.
1) Slow moving water moves more efficiently than fast moving water that loses energy to friction, turbulence and resistance to flow
2) Variable speed pump interfaces allow for customizing filtration schedules to maximize energy savings
3) Permanent magnet motors (variable speed) are more efficient than induction motors (single speed)
4) TEFC (totally enclosed fan cooled) motors on variable speed pumps are less prone to contamination from dust or moisture for longer life
5) Pump affinity laws allow for drastic decreases in electrical consumption while still allowing for adequate pool water filtration at lower RPM's
The rate at which your new variable speed pump will return money to you will depend on how well you program your new filtration schedule, as well as how inefficient your previous filtration schedule was. Whether you live in an area where your pool operates all year long, or a seasonal area with a short swimming season, both pools will save the same amount of money every month. It will simply take more time for a seasonal pool to recover the upfront costs for a new variable speed pump than a year round pool. Without a doubt variable speed pumps will save you money but in order to get the maximum return on your investment you need your new pump to last as long as possible. Continue on to this article that looks at how long do variable speed pumps last.
How much electricity does a pool pump use
How does a variable speed pump save you money
Variable speed pump schedules
Variable speed pool pump reviews
3 reasons to get a variable speed pool pump
How long do variable speed pool pumps last?
Top content from www.SwimmingPoolSteve.com
Pool and spa chemistry crash course
New pool owner guide
The Swimming Pool Steve blog
Have a question - ask Steve
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.
Paid PDF Books From Swimming Pool Steve
Steve's Pool Survival Guide
The Swimming Pool Steve Pool Survival Guide is intended to help pool owners understand their pool and pool equipment better, understand water chemistry, water testing and chemical corrections to the water, troubleshoot the most common pool problems and have confidence in interacting and caring for their pool in the fastest possible frame of time. Also covers pool safety, things to avoid and how to operate your pool more efficiently.
Salt Water Recommendations
Are you considering upgrading to salt water in your pool? In this paid PDF Steve talks about which pools should avoid using salt water. Find out concerns about using salt in your pool but also the potential benefits of salt water. Finally hear which specific brand and model of salt chlorine generator Steve thinks is the best option currently available to pool owners and how to choose the right size salt system for your pool.
New Pool Heater Buyer's Guide
In this guide Swimming Pool Steve will help you to better understand your heater options as well as which would be best suited for your pool. Learn about BTU output and sizing of both gas/propane heaters as well as electric heat pumps for residential swimming pools. You will also learn about which specific brands and models of currently available pool heaters Steve likes to recommend. If you are thinking of adding a new pool heater to your equipment pad this buyer's guide would be a useful resource to help you make a more informed buying decision.
New Pool Installation Value Guide
This is a value shopping guide written by Swimming Pool Steve to help home owners hiring for a new pool installation to get the maximum value for their investment with tips about how to protect your interests during the vetting, hiring and pool installation process. Anyone serious about having a pool installed will find value in this guide. Pool installers will sell the pool package that is best for them - not for you! Become an informed value shopper with this PDF guide.
Endorsed Brands From Swimming Pool Steve
The following links and products are to affiliates of the Swimming Pool Steve website. These are brands, products and services hand selected by Steve for endorsement. Please note that these endorsements can include monetary compensation, affiliate links and referral fees to Swimming Pool Steve, however there is zero additional cost to you should you use one of these products or services. Income generated from these links helps to keep this pool and spa resource available for everyone. To have your product or service considered for listing here as an endorsed brand email SwimmingPoolSteve@gmail.com.
Amazon Disclosure Statement - As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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.
- Swimming Pool Steve