Energy-Saving Tips for Your Pool Pump
By Scott Petty
The pump is essential for pool operation since it provides the circulation needed to keep the water filtered and sanitized. With energy costs increasing regularly, however, methods to reduce pump operating costs are needed more than ever. Below are a few energy-saving tips that will help you enjoy your pool without worrying about your next electric bill.
1. Understand turnover rate. The turnover rate for a swimming pool is the amount of time required to circulate the entire volume
of water through the system once to meet reasonably clean, safe water standards.
A pump must run long enough at the necessary flow(s) to assure the minimum number of turnovers. (You can check with local regulations for the minimum required turnover rate in your area.) In many cases, pumps may be running longer than needed, consuming additional energy that drives up your electric bill. Work with your local pool professional to better understand turnover rates and how they may impact the operation of your pump. As pool usage, temperatures, and sun exposure all increase during the summer, you may need to lengthen your pump’s run time to keep the water properly circulated. Your pool professional can assist in modifying your time clock or automation system settings based on your specific needs.
2. Consider running your pump at off-peak times. Contact your electric/utility provider to determine if it charges different rates depending on the time of the day, sometimes referred to as “Time of Use” rates. There may be financial incentives to run your pumps at “off-peak” times as determined by your provider. Taking into account the turnover requirements for proper sanitization as noted above, you may be able to substantially reduce the amount of time you run your pumps during peak electric demand and, in doing so, save money over the course of the pool season.
3. Use a multi-speed pump. A multi-speed pump, such as a two-speed or variable-speed pump, provides the greatest opportunity for energy savings. Running pumps at lower speeds uses significantly less power than traditional single-speed pumps, and therefore, dramatically reduces energy consumption. In many cases, you will save more money running a pump at lower speeds for a longer period of time than you will running a single-speed pump for a shorter amount of time. Your pool water will also be cleaner and less susceptible to algae since the water is being circulated more often.
Two-speed pumps, which operate at two fixed speeds and require a separate automaton system to adjust between speeds, can save as much as 70 percent on energy costs. A variable-speed pump, which can operate at a wide variety of speeds—including those even lower than two-speed models—can save as much as 90 percent on energy costs compared to typical single-speed pumps. Some variable-speed pumps also include integrated timers to adjust the speed automatically for the task they’re performing; this means you’ll rarely have to adjust the settings yourself and won’t need to buy any additional pieces of equipment.
While your actual savings will vary based on a comparison pump model, hours of operation, electrical rate, and other hydraulic factors (i.e. plumbing size), the savings can be quite significant. Many pool pump manufacturers have energy-saving calculators available on their websites to help you understand how much money you can save every season using two-speed or variable-speed pumps.
Scott Petty is the product manager of pumps and aboveground equipment for Hayward Pool Products, Inc., a manufacturer of pool and spa equipment. Hayward’s Energy Solutions line of energy-efficient products includes pumps, filters, heaters, heat pumps, cleaners, sanitizers, automation, and lighting.
Photo courtesy of Hayward Pool Products