How To Save Money With A Variable Speed Pump
October 12, 2015 at 03:22 PM
Today, there are technologically advanced options
that enable your pool to use far less energy and save you money, starting by taking a close look at highly efficient variable-speed pool pumps.
If you don't know what kind of pump your pool is equipped with, there's a good chance it's a single-speed pump. This kind of pump moves water through your system at a constant and steady rate.
Variable-speed pumps, as its name suggests, allows the user to adjust the speed at which it moves water so that energy isn't wasted during parts of the pump cycle that don't require much flow.
For example, it takes more energy to move water through the system during cleaning than during heating and simple circulation.
A single-speed pump simply revs up the motor, pushing water and burning energy at the same rate throughout all of these tasks.
A variable-speed pump, however, can slow its rate of energy consumption during the heating or circulating phase of the pool cycle.
In total, these pumps run at up to eight different speeds, adjusting its energy usage to the pool's needs at different points in the cycle.
This adjustment adds up, to say the least. How big is the difference? Variable-speed pumps are known to cut energy use up to 90 percent.
Variable-speed pumps can also be run for much longer, even for 24 hours per day, and still save thousands in energy costs. They also run much more quietly, allowing for overnight use without too much noise.
What's the catch? Of course, variable-speed pumps cost more up front.
The energy savings that come with a variable-speed pump will more than make up the difference in price, as will the reduced cost of maintenance, because a pump that isn't constantly running at its top speed endures far less wear and tear. In fact, you may see a return on your investment in as little as one to two years when you upgrade from a single-speed pump to a variable-speed pump.
On top of all that, depending on location, local utilities often offer rebates for installing variable-speed pumps, just as they do for other energy-saving home improvements.
Variable-speed pumps are not the wave of the future; they are quickly becoming the wave of the present. Learn more about variable-speed pumps here.