Variable Speed Pool Pumps – The Future of Swimming Pools
By choosing the proper pump, Swimming pool owners can expect savings of at least $400/year.
Very few swimming pool owners realize the energy consumption of their very own pool and spa pump. In fact, the pool pump is probably one of the largest electricity using appliances they have in their house. That’s because most swimming pool pumps use very energy wise single stage motors that run at 1HP and up. With electricity supply in excess, and energy conservation a low priority – this has been the industry standard for years.
So how much energy is my swimming pool pump using? A study recently found that to operate California’s 1.2 million swimming pools requires approximately the same production as one nuclear power or two conventional energy plants (study by Davis Energy Group for Pacific Gas & Electric – 2004). A huge impact on our current electricity conservation efforts must stem from all the energy in-efficient pool pumps across the United States. Arizona too has an incredible quantity of residential pools per house, which is why Phoenix pool contractors are switching to these incredible new pumps.
The solution? Motors and Pumps that use less energy (by working smarter).
In the past few years, pool pumps and motors have been part of a huge power-saving improvement effort.The variable drive, variable speed swimming pool pump has revolutionized the pool industry and its efforts to save and conserve electricity.Designed and manufactured to use less electricity, these new pumps are using permanent magnetic motors. The standard induction motors used in swimming pools actually use more than 30% more power than the new permanent magnetic motors. As the pool operator programs this pump to work at the minimum required capacity for each pool task (heating, cleaning, circulation, water features, etc.) power reduction can be as much as 90%!
By using a pool and spa pump at its slowest speed necessary to fulfill a job, it will dramatically slash the energy consumed (only because it takes less power to move water slowly than rapidly). Did you know?On a typical pool and spa task, if a pump can reduce the speed by 1/2, then the electricity will be reduced to 1/8. Simply put, these new pumps allow the pool and spa owner to program and “dial in” the pump speed to achieve the minimum energy use.
Energy Savings of $620 to $1,350
According to Pentair Water Pool and Spa, their IntelliFlo® and IntelliPro™ variable drive pumps routinely reduce energy use up to 90%, depending on the models and circumstances for average savings of $620 to $1,350 annually.Based on normal swimming pool usage over 1 to 2 years, many pool owners are replacing their old pumps because a new variable drive pump will actually pay for itself.
Power delivery charges are even higher in Arizona, and with Phoenix’s huge swimming pool count, this new pump has become an absolute necessity for pool builders in Arizona when designing swimming pools.The recent attention to power efficient products makes switching to a GREEN industry pump even more desirable in California.
Specific Examples of how IntelliFlo pumps by Pentair can be used in your pool:
This pump can be used for an built-in cleaning system booster pump, and it’s set at 3000 RPM, which is approximately a two HP pump. The same pump can be dialed down to a 1/2 HP pump to circulate & filter the water of the pool.Imagine a low and high speed therapy jet mode… this can be achieved with a variable speed pump, some simple pool automation systems, and the push of a button!) Another common use is the ability to control the flow of a waterfall or pool water feature. The IntelliFlo Pentair pump can be programmed for variable speeds - giving you a low speed water feature for a relaxing evening outside on the patio, or you can crank the speed higher for MAX PRESSURE for a backyard party!
