Variable Flow Swimming Pool Pumps – The Revolution in Swimming Pools
October 3rd, 2009 Posted in Home Improvement
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.
Only the energy-aware owners of swimming pools truly realize the high energy usage of their own swimming pool. In fact, it’s probably one of the most electricity consuming appliances they have on their property. It’s because standard pool pumps are made with a single stage motor, that is very in-efficient. In the past, energy supply has been in abundance and energy saving efforts have not been considered – a norm in the pool industry.
So how much energy is my pool pump using? A recent study found that to run California’s 1.2 million pools demands 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 and spa pumps across the United States. Arizona too has an incredible count of swimming pools per home, which is why Phoenix pool builders are switching to these incredible new pumps.
The solution? Pumps that work smarter, not harder.
In the recent years, there have been some dramatic improvements in the pool industry – regarding pool pumps and swimming pool motors. The most improved power savings come from the introduction of the new digitally controlled, variable drive pool pumps. By using permanent magnetic motors, these new swimming pool pumps have been designed to use less energy. The standard induction motors used in swimming pools actually use more than 30% more energy than the new permanent magnetic motors. By simply programming the pump to work at the least required speed 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 minimum speed required to complete a job, it will drastically cut the energy consumption (simply because it requires less power to move water slowly than quickly). Did you know? By reducing pump speed by half reduces electricity needed to an eighth of what was needed previously to get the job done. Simply put, these new pumps allow the swimming pool owner to program and “dial in” the pump speed to achieve the minimum power use.
Energy Savings of $620 to $1,350
According to Pentair Pool and Spa, their IntelliFlo® and IntelliPro™ variable drive pumps routinely reduce energy use up to ninety %, depending on the models and circumstances for average savings of $620 to $1,350 annually. Many swimming pool owners are having their out-dated pumps replaced because the huge monetary savings will actually pay for the new variable speed pool pump.
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 AZ when designing swimming pools. California’s attention to eco-friendly products makes owning an electricity efficient swimming pool pump even more necessary.
Specific Examples of how IntelliFlo pumps by Pentair can be integrated in your pool & spa:
This pool pump can be used for an built-in cleaning system pump, and it’s set at 3000 Rev’s per minute, which is equivalent to a two horsepower swimming pool pump. The same pool pump can be turned down to a 1/2 horsepower swimming pool pump to circulate & clean the water of the pool and spa. With some easy computer technology, the same pump can be used as a booster pump for the hot tub jets (imagine a low speed therapy and a high speed jet – all from the same pool pump, and the push of a remote!) Another great use is the ability to control the flow volume of a waterfall or pool water feature (it is also known to be used by high end residential Phoenix landscaping companies to manage the flow & sound of detailed landscape water features and fountains). The IntelliFlo Pentair pump can be programmed for multiple speeds - giving the owner a low speed waterfall for a relaxing evening outside on the patio, or you can crank it higher for FULL THROTTLE for a family gathering!