Variable-speed pumps are
great ways to conserve energy and save on your electric bill.
Variable speed pumps deliver immediate savings on your electric bill that can range from 75% – 90%.
Variable-speed pumps can be set to run at a
lower speed but still obtain the same or better cleaning/sanitation by running
for longer periods of time.
Lower speeds reduce energy use to 1/4 of what
it was, despite the increased run time.
Lower speed also means less noise from the
pump.
Longer run time means constant skimmer operation
and circulation which helps keep the pool clean.
High speed is still available for occasional
needs such as spa therapy jets, pool cleaners or water features.
Now is the right time to address this portion of your home energy budget
Pool filtration costs are listed as the 2nd
or 3rd largest energy cost in the home, following your AC and hot water
expenses.
New regulations mandate more efficient
equipment.
Energy savings will decrease your monthly
costs.
To be environmentally responsible.
Variable-speed pumps let you
control the speed, whether low or high, or anywhere in between. Most of these
energy-efficient pumps are powered by a different type of motor than the first
two, called a permanent
magnet motor. This type of motor is used in magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) machines and electric cars. It’s typically more efficient than
the induction motors in single- and dual-speed pumps. Variable speed pumps generally use 10 – 20%
less energy when operating at the same flow rate as single speed pumps and when
the variable speed pump is operating at half speed it’s using 20% of its full
rated power. So if we look at a 2HP pump
that is rated at 230v and 10 amps your power consumption is 2,300 watts. If you’re paying $.12/kwh then your hourly
cost is $0.28 which doesn’t sound like much until you consider that you’re
typically running the pump 10 hours a day every day. This works out to about $83 per month. I have a customer that is running his
variable speed pump at continuously at 20GPM which consumes about 225 watts, at
$.12/kwh this is $ 0.03 per hour or $0.65 a day or $19.50 per month. That’s $63.50 off of his electric bill each
month which is $762 back in his pocket a year.
Low Speeds Mean Low
Noise
Think of the sound your single-speed pump
makes when it kicks on. Has it ever woken you up at night? Well, when you
switch to a variable-speed pump, you’ll never again bolt awake in bed wondering
if a helicopter just landed in your yard.
Single-speed
pumps run at 3,450 revolutions per minute (RPM). Variable-speed pumps can run
as low as 600 RPM. The lower RPMs significantly reduce motor noise, making the
variable-speed pump a far quieter option than that old single-speed.
Set your
timer to turn the variable-speed pump on at a
low setting overnight to turn over your pool water during non-peak power hours.
You’ll save money, clean your pool, and avoid a confrontation with grumpy,
sleep-deprived neighbors.
Contact Coastal Pool Care, LLC
if you have any questions. (904) 377-8300 or [email protected]
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