Hello. I'm new to the forum and new to pool ownership. I'm concerned that my electric bill is way too high for a pool that's not even heated. The pump is using more electricity than everything else combined.
I see two speed and variable speed pumps that seem like they could help me out. My sand filter seems to work just fine judging by the water, but it is very old. My piping around the pump/filter sucks--it looks like the previous owner "do-it-yourselfer" went to town cutting, joining, etc. everytime something went bad.
Current setup: 19" Hayward sand filter, 1 HP UtiliTech (Lowe's brand) pump connected 110V (will be switching to 220V soon), 14x32 vinyl-lined inground pool, approx 12,000 gallons (?). I've been running the pump about 6-12 hours/day (depending on my work schedule, etc.).
So I want to clean up my piping, get a more energy efficient pump, and maybe replace the filter just so that all the plumbing will match up for years to come.
I would also consider re-configuring my vacuum line to another skimmer or to a jet if it would help skimming with a lower speed pump. I always vacuum through the skimmer.
My pool guy said, "You just need a 3/4 horsepower pump." But I'm not sure what he was basing that on--I know the HP is only part of the equation. I wasn't aware of the electricity usage yet when he was there opening the pool.
I pulled these questions from another posting, maybe someone can help me figure out what I need.
Suction pipe diameter: 2"
Average length of suction pipes: Guessing 25 ft to main drain, 40+ ft to skimmer, 25 ft to vacuum (vacuum is always closed)
Number of individual suction pipes from the pool/spa to the equipment: 3
Number and type of suction side valves: I don't know what a suction side valve is.
Height of pump relative to the water level: Just barely higher than the water surface--hard to tell by looking b/c the pump is in the garage.
Pipe size between pump and filter: Unsure (Can be easily changed)
Filter type, size and multi-port valve size: Sand, 19" in diameter, unsure how to measure a multi-port valve.
Filter PSI reading at the desired valve settings and pump's highest speed setting: No working pressure guage, sorry. Pool guy told me they just break anyway.
Height of pressure gauge relative to the pump center line: N/A
Heater - No
Number and type of return side valves: Two... not sure what "type"
Return pipe diameter: 2"
Average length of return pipes: One prob @ 25 feet, other at 50 feet
Number of individual return pipes from the equipment to the pool/spa: Only one leaves the filter, so I'm guessing one.
Return eyeball inner diameter: Probably 3/4"
Number of return eyeballs (usually more than the number of pipes): One eyeball on each jet, so 2
Thanks for any advice.
I see two speed and variable speed pumps that seem like they could help me out. My sand filter seems to work just fine judging by the water, but it is very old. My piping around the pump/filter sucks--it looks like the previous owner "do-it-yourselfer" went to town cutting, joining, etc. everytime something went bad.
Current setup: 19" Hayward sand filter, 1 HP UtiliTech (Lowe's brand) pump connected 110V (will be switching to 220V soon), 14x32 vinyl-lined inground pool, approx 12,000 gallons (?). I've been running the pump about 6-12 hours/day (depending on my work schedule, etc.).
So I want to clean up my piping, get a more energy efficient pump, and maybe replace the filter just so that all the plumbing will match up for years to come.
I would also consider re-configuring my vacuum line to another skimmer or to a jet if it would help skimming with a lower speed pump. I always vacuum through the skimmer.
My pool guy said, "You just need a 3/4 horsepower pump." But I'm not sure what he was basing that on--I know the HP is only part of the equation. I wasn't aware of the electricity usage yet when he was there opening the pool.
I pulled these questions from another posting, maybe someone can help me figure out what I need.
Suction pipe diameter: 2"
Average length of suction pipes: Guessing 25 ft to main drain, 40+ ft to skimmer, 25 ft to vacuum (vacuum is always closed)
Number of individual suction pipes from the pool/spa to the equipment: 3
Number and type of suction side valves: I don't know what a suction side valve is.
Height of pump relative to the water level: Just barely higher than the water surface--hard to tell by looking b/c the pump is in the garage.
Pipe size between pump and filter: Unsure (Can be easily changed)
Filter type, size and multi-port valve size: Sand, 19" in diameter, unsure how to measure a multi-port valve.
Filter PSI reading at the desired valve settings and pump's highest speed setting: No working pressure guage, sorry. Pool guy told me they just break anyway.
Height of pressure gauge relative to the pump center line: N/A
Heater - No
Number and type of return side valves: Two... not sure what "type"
Return pipe diameter: 2"
Average length of return pipes: One prob @ 25 feet, other at 50 feet
Number of individual return pipes from the equipment to the pool/spa: Only one leaves the filter, so I'm guessing one.
Return eyeball inner diameter: Probably 3/4"
Number of return eyeballs (usually more than the number of pipes): One eyeball on each jet, so 2
Thanks for any advice.