I Installed a Variable Speed Pool Pump, Should You?

In my seemingly never ending quest to conserve energy and lower my utility bills, I have turned my eye to my swimming pool’s old single-speed pump. Pool pumps, especially these older models, are notoriously large consumers of electricity. Depending on where you live, those pumps can be running upwards of 8 to 10 hours per day. Where I live in sunny, hot southern California, anything less than 6 hours a day will result in algae overrunning the pool. Eight hours per day is the practical minimum with longer running times when the temperature stays over 100 degrees for days on end. Warm water and insufficient circulation is a recipe for algae disaster!

So, I set out to see what could be done about this energy hog while still trying to maintain the beautiful, crystal blue water my family had become accustomed to. My search didn't take long as the new variable speed pool pumps are a hot topic these days. After doing some research, it was clear that upgrading to one of these new pumps was a no-brainer. The advantages were plenty and the drawbacks were few.  There are quite a few manufacturers such as Hayward, Pentair, Jandy, Sta-Rite and more.  Take your time to ensure the pump you choose meets your needs and budget.

Save Energy, Save Money

Older single-speed pool pumps use much more energy than the newer two-speed or variable-speed models. Typical energy savings range from 30% to as high as 80% depending on the controller you use. We found that our old single-speed pump was responsible for about 40% of our electric bill during the summer months. With a single-speed pump your only level of control is to turn it on or off. Variable-speed pumps, however, can operate at several speeds, from full speed to slow and steady. Operating a pool pump at lower speeds uses a lot less energy than when operating at full bore. This allows you to run your pump longer but still use less energy.

Many homeowners have other water features built into their pools such a fountains, waterfalls, water slides, etc. To utilize these features, the pool pump must work extra requiring a higher volume pump to ensure adequate circulation for filtration and the water features. Variable speed pumps allow you to utilize the lower speed to circulate and filter your pool water while the water features are not being used. When you are using the pool, bump the pump up to full speed and enjoy all your water features. Why pay extra for your water features when they are not being used? Variable speed pumps allow you to match the speed of the pump to the demands of how your pool is being used. This is inherently more efficient and saves money.

Incentives to Upgrade

There also rebate incentives from many electric utilities for installing an efficient variable-speed pump. Southern California Edison, our electric utility, is offering a $200 rebate for those who purchase a qualified variable-speed pool pump between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010, and install it by February 28, 2011. Most electric utilities have similar programs so check with your local utility for information about rebates and incentives in your area.

When you add up your rebate and electric bill savings it won’t take long at all for you to recoup your investment. We paid a little over $600 for the Hayward TriStar two-speed pump we installed. With the $200 rebate from SCE, our net cost was a little over $400. We calculate that we are saving approximately $50 per month on our electric bill as a result of the new pump. So, after 8 months we will get our money back. Not bad, I think! Some states have enacted legislation, like California's Title 20 Appliance Efficiency Regulations, requiring that new pool installations include either two-speed or variable speed pumps.

Quieter Operation

Anyone who has owned an older pool pump can attest to how noisy they can be when operating. People often went out of their way to locate the pump as far away as possible because of the noise they produce. It really can be quite annoying. One of the big advantages of the new variable speed pumps is that they are very, very quiet. Some models run in the 10 to 15 decibel range which is about the noise level of a human whisper. When operating at lower speeds, these pumps can’t be heard from more than a few feet away.

Other Advantages

Moving pool water more slowly and continuously filters your water more efficiently. It is also easier on your other pool equipment increasing their operational life. In addition, with the water continuously moving, there is less chance for dirt to settle to the bottom of the pool. Variable-speed pumps also run cooler than single speed pumps. This extends their operational life and increases your return on investment. Some variable-speed pumps include other features such as:

• Blockage sensing that detects drain blockages and automatically shuts the pump down.
• Micro-processor control with password protection.
• Automatic sensing and protection from freezing, overheating, loss of prime and even voltage irregularities.
• Remote control operation.
  

Of course, you will pay extra for pumps and controllers that offer some of these features and you have to decide what features are important for you and your family. I'm a back-to-basics type of guy, so I selected a pump without all the bells and whistles. As long as I could program it to turn off and on when I wanted, I would be happy.  It also helps to keep the cost down.

The Costs

Unfortunately, the costs of installing a variable speed pool pump is one of the few drawbacks I found. Typical equipment and installation costs can run between $1500 and $2000 depending upon what unit you buy and where you live. In most cases, it is not simply a case of swapping a new variable speed pump in place of your existing pump. There is additional wiring to be done and the new pumps will require a multi-speed controller. In some areas, local or state ordinances will require you to install a variable speed pump should your existing pump or pump controller fail.

If you are willing to do some of the work yourself, you can shave a lot off that figure above. My original pump was a Hayward so I chose another Hayward pump to replace it. It had the same basic footprint and plumbing connections so I was able to do the the physical installation of the pump myself.

I also removed the old controller panel and installed the new panel box. I hired a contractor to do the electrical connections and initial programming, at a cost of $300. If you are careful selecting a replacement pump and controller, you too can do much of the physical installation yourself. I advise you leave anything involving safefy or that must be up to code to a professional..

In Closing

We spent around $950 total to acquire and install our new pump. We received the $200 rebate from our electrical utility bringing our net costs to $750. We estimate we will get our money back in 15 months based on our estimated savings of $50 per month on our electric bill. The new pump was installed 6 months ago so we have only 9 months to go before the new pump pays for itself.

My family and I are very happy with our new pool pump. It is much, much quieter than the old pump. In fact, for a while I had to go outside and verify the pump was going on and off on schedule it was so quiet. The lack of pump noise does make the pool and spa more relaxing and enjoyable.

I highly encourage you to investigate these new variable speed pools pumps yourself. Not only will you save money in the long run, you will be doing a little bit more to help save the environment while you enjoy your pool even more.