Jandy Pool Pumps: Variable & Two Speed Pool Pumps (2023)

FAQs

How long and at what speed should I run my variable speed pool pump? ›

Variable speed pumps

Variable speed pool pumps should run longer, based upon the operating speed. Most pool owners run their variable speed pump for 12 hours per day (3-4 hours on high speed for the pool cleaning system and 8-9 hours on low speed for filtration).

At River Pools, we used two speed pumps for years with great success. They are quite a bit more expensive to purchase than single speed pumps and last the same amount of time, which is typically 3-8 years. On average, a two-speed pump will save about 50%-70% on energy cost compared to a one-speed pump.

However, it is important to note that a variable speed pool pump should ideally be running 24 hours a day to ensure proper and optimal water circulation. When your pool pump is not running, the water is sitting stagnant in your pool allowing bacteria to survive and grow.

The rule of thumb is generally 8 hours, although it could be anywhere from 6-12 hours, depending on your pool's size. Each pool is unique, so to keep your pool pump efficient and effective, you need to figure out exactly what your pool's turnover rate is.

The best time to run your pool pump is during the warmest hour of the day; however, keep in mind that this means you will have higher energy consumption, which may lead to an increase in your electric bill. If you want to save on your energy costs, you can run your pool pump at night to avoid peak hours.

Best Setup For Variable Speed Pumps

The idea is to try and run your variable speed pump at the lowest RPMs as possible while still filtering your pool water properly. If you are running your pool pump to filter and turn your water over, we recommend using the middle and lower speed settings.

The two speed pump gives the pool owner the ability to filter the water more often (24/7) during the hottest months, thus assuring that it stays clear of debris and sparkling clear. As a result, the pool owner will spend less money on chemicals like algaecide, chlorine and/or clarifier.

A Worthwhile Investment

Even at a higher initial cost than single-speed pumps, the best variable speed pumps are the superior investment because they offer prolonged filtration, more water turnover, and lengthier sanitation durations. These benefits make it easier to maintain your pool.

A variable speed pool pump could save you up to 90%* on your energy costs compared to a conventional single- or two-speed pool pump. They are often quiet when running and many offer built-in programming features and better filtering capabilities.

Every pool must turn over at least once a day, so most pool pumps should run approximately 8 hours a day. But here's the thing: you don't have to run your pool pump consecutively. You can choose to run it for three hours in the morning before you leave for work and another 5 hours in the evening.

Is it OK to run pool pump 24 hours a day? ›

Some commercial properties require 24-hour a day pump circulation, but as a homeowner, this is not advisable. If you are lucky enough to own an Energy Efficient, Variable Speed swimming pool pump (VSP) then , yes, technically you could run your pump for 24 hours a day.

Ideally, you should run your pump for 24 hours a day, but we know that's unrealistic (and pricey), so let's look for an answer that keeps your pool clean and your wallet full. Generally running your pool pump for 12-hours a day is a good option.

Variable speed pumps don't save energy

Single and two-speed pumps use traditional induction motors. These are just about the least efficient motors you can use, but they are cheap, so they are popular. Quality variable speed pumps use permanent magnet brushless motors.

Most pools have a turnover rate of 8 hours and below, with experts saying, “Turnover rate requirements will vary by local health codes. Industry standards recommend a minimum target turnover rate of 6 hours and a minimum of 2 turnovers per 24 hours.

What you're looking for is a pump that will be able to pump all the water in your pool through the filter in no more than 8-10 hours. This typically looks likes 40 GPM (gallons per minute) for smaller pools and 80 GPM for larger pools.

One of the biggest questions when it comes to regular maintenance is the swimming pool pump. It's not necessary to have your swimming pool pump running at all times, as this can be a serious expense on your electric bill.

Call us today to get started, and read on to learn about pool pump repairs and replacements. On average, pool pumps last eight to 12 years before needing replacement. Over time, it's normal for pool parts to begin to wear down. In addition, swimming pool technology has come a long way in the last decade.

Should I run my pump while it's raining? Zagers says yes! We recommend that our customers run their pumps rain or shine UNLESS you have an electrical storm. In that case, lightning could strike an outside circuit, which could damage your pump and other equipment.

A variable pump's saving potential and energy conservation far outweigh the money you save by turning off your single-speed pump. The Department of Energy certainly thinks so too: Its new regulations require that new or replaced pumps in most pools be variable speed.

Energy and Cost Savings

Variable-speed pumps help maximize energy efficiency and result in huge cost savings. Operating a variable-speed pump at 50% of its maximum speed uses 85-90% less energy and reduces energy bills greatly. It is an investment that will often pay for itself in less than one year.

Can a pump be too powerful for a pool? ›

What happens if pool pump is too big? A pool pump that is larger than needed has a more powerful motor and circulates water at a higher flow rate. This uses significantly more energy to pump the same amount of water and puts additional stress on your pipes and filter, meaning you'll need to replace them sooner.

Two Speed Pumps offer two speeds: a high speed and a low speed. While they are more efficient on the lower setting than a single speed pump, they still cost a fortune to run! Like single speed swimming pool pumps they utilize an induction motor.

Running the pump at 100% still makes less noise than a single case fan at 100% speed, but the pump's pitch is lower, almost like it's hard to tell the difference between a hum and a vibration. That all being said, you'll likely not have any need to run it at full speed the whole time.

Con: They Need to Be Programed

Since variable speed pumps do just that, run at varying speeds, they have to be programmed. With multiple settings at literally any speed option, it can be confusing to know what speed to run and how long to run it.

6.3 hours x 2,000 watts = 12,600 watt hours (12.6kWh)

However, because of the Pump Affinity Law, slower flow rates create greater energy savings. In the field, a variable speed pump set at a flow rate of 22 gpm will draw 116 watts and turn the pool over in 19 hours but only consume 2.2 kWh of electricity.

Variable speed pumps vibrate less, making them a quieter option. Additionally, they last longer, are cooler, and can be controlled digitally. Studies show that these pumps are over 90% more efficient than the standard one-speed pumps and only cost about $20 to $30 a month to operate.

Use larger pool filters.

Larger filters have a bigger surface area through which water can flow, which means your pump doesn't have to work as hard to move the same volume of water. Not only does this lower the pump's energy consumption, it can extend the life of the pump which saves you money as well.

Example 115 volts X 15 amps = 1725 WATTS. MULTIPLY the hours per day that you run your pool pump by the kW. This total will be the kWh -kilowatt hour per day Example 24 hours a day X 1.725 kW = 41.40 kWh per day.

One of the most significant consumers of energy in homes with swimming pools are pool pumps, which keep pools clean by circulating water through filters. Pool pumps can consume 3,000 to over 5,000 kWh per year.

It may be cheaper to run the pump at night, but honestly you should run it 1 hour a day per 10 degrees of temperature at least, and it should be during the day. Running the pump at night should only be when you are doing a major chemical treatment such as algae clean-up.

How often should you shock your pool? ›

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I SHOCK MY POOL? Shocking your pool regularly will help to keep the water clean and free of contaminants. You should aim to shock your pool about once a week, with the additional shock after heavy use. Some tell-tale signs that your pool needs to be shocked are cloudy, foamy, green, or odourous water.

Keep the pump and filter on while you are away.

Most pumps come have an automatic timer that makes this very easy. Set it before you leave to ensure the pool filter system will run at least 8 to 12 hours per day.

At the first sign of an incoming storm, you should turn off and unplug your pump. If this is left running during a storm, the motor may suffer electrical damage and short out.

Water circulation is important for a healthy and safe swimming pool. A pool with proper circulation has fewer issues with cloudy water or pool algae. Keeping your pump and filter system running for at least 8 to 12 hours is the best way to keep your pool safe and clean.

You take the gallons divided by your turnover rate. Then take that number and divide it by 60 (for minutes) and you will get your required gallons per minute. Then you will need to know the average feet of head. Total dynamic head is basically the resistance and length your pool pump needs to push the water through.

When it's running, it keeps the water moving; otherwise the water would become stagnant and things like algae and bacteria could grow. The pump also clears debris from the water and keeps those pool chemicals mixed by pushing water through the filtration system.

It's generally recommended that all of the water in a pool needs to be filtered at least once every 24 hours. If the pool is being used heavily (like, for example, if you host a pool party), you'll probably want to cycle it through the filter twice that day.

Running the pump exclusively during off peak hours will still cost you $1.80 per day. Replacing that pump with a variable speed pump running at half speed reduces that cost to around 30 cents per day. That said, running the pump at half speed means that only half the amount of water will go through the pump.

Traditional pool pumps are single speed versions, meaning they run at one speed, all the time. The normal running speed for a 1 hp single speed pump is 3450 rpms, pumping about 50 to 75 gallons of water per minute. These pumps usually run about 6-8 hours a day for proper water filtration.

Every pool must turn over at least once a day, so most pool pumps should run approximately 8 hours a day. But here's the thing: you don't have to run your pool pump consecutively. You can choose to run it for three hours in the morning before you leave for work and another 5 hours in the evening.

What setting should my pool pump be on? ›

The “Filter” setting circulates water through the sand or DE media, then out the filter through the return port to the pool. This is the standard setting for normal pump and filter operation. The “Backwash” setting redirects the flow of water backwards through the filter media to flush out contaminants.

A variable speed pool pump could save you up to 90%* on your energy costs compared to a conventional single- or two-speed pool pump. They are often quiet when running and many offer built-in programming features and better filtering capabilities.

Variable speed pool pumps are far more efficient compared to single-speed and two-speed pumps as they allow you to control the speed (RPM) of the pump, whether low or high or anywhere in between. When you choose a variable-speed pool pump , you'll have a higher up-front cost, but bigger savings over time.

A 1 horsepower pool pump with 1.5-inch plumbing lines may filter around 60 gallons per minute. In this example, that means you would need to run the pool pump for about 8.5 hours a day (8.5 hours x 60 gallons per minute x 60 minutes = 30,600 gallons).

Scheduling your pump to run at a lower RPM for most of the day (approximately 18 to 22 hours) reduces your energy costs and is much quieter. For an average pool, set the speed between 1,500 RPM and 2,000 RPM. You'll want to run your pump at a higher RPM for approximately two to four hours every day.

One of the biggest questions when it comes to regular maintenance is the swimming pool pump. It's not necessary to have your swimming pool pump running at all times, as this can be a serious expense on your electric bill.

Generally running your pool pump for 12-hours a day is a good option. This is based on the assumption that your average pool pump has a turnover rate of about 8 to 12-hours. That means that the total volume of your pool water will filter through your system 2 to 3 times per 24-hour period.