Variable Speed pool pumps are not new, they’ve been around now for about 15 years. But since July 19, 2021, federal mandates require minimum efficiency standards to be met for all pumps manufactured in the United States. In most cases, single speed pumps over 1HP must be replaced by variable speed pumps when ever your pump needs replacement.
Standard pumps have a single speed – 3450 RPM. Dual speed pumps add a half-speed, at 1725 RPM. Many variable speed pumps have several hundred speeds (with as many as 8 chosen pre-set speeds). This allows the pump to operate at best efficiency over a wide range of duties. (Pool filtration, solar speed, spa speed, best heater speed etc.)
Variable speed pumps have many advantages, they run cool to the touch, and the permanent magnet motor is quiet – making only half the noise of standard pumps. The speed is variable – you can change motor speed (in RPM) with simple Up or Down arrows, and program custom speeds, for specific cleaning duties.
But the biggest advantage is that lower motor speeds saves energy. When you cut speed by half, you cut the amperage use by 4x – and amps is what you pay for on electrical bills. Savings of 50-90% are possible, over the cost of running a standard pump.
What’s the Best VS Pool Pump?
The question really is – what is the best VS pump for Your Pool? Not all Variable Speed pumps are the same size, horsepower ranges from 1.5HP to 3.0HP, and smaller VS pumps have 1.5″ and 2” plumbing connections, while larger models work best with 2.5″ and 3” plumbing.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS: Choosing a pump with the highest Weighted Energy Factor (WEF) possible for your current pump voltage (120 or 240 volts) Normally the smaller pumps have higher WEF’s. However you need to keep in mind that if you have a pool/spa combination where the main filter pumps also serves as the spa jets pump, you should choose one of the larger pumps that will be able to serve your spa jets needs.
THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT THING – is pipe size. 2.5” PVC pipe allows much more water to flow, with much less resistance. If you have 1.5″ or 2” pipe, consider replacing the above ground plumbing with 2.5″ PVC pipe and long sweep 90 degree elbows. Since the pump only feels the total of the friction of water it has to overcome, even if you just upgrade the above ground piping in the pump house you can still have a good reduction of the pools Total Dynamic Head, especially on pools that are very close to the pump room itself.
For a list of all of the Energy Star swimming pool pumps with their associated WEF’s please click on the link below.
