New Pump/Pumps

[awtrizzle]

Good evening. I'm looking to make an investment in some new pumps. The current pumps work just fine but I have a feeling they are doing a number on my power bill.

I currently have a booster pump for the cleaner. Do they make a pump (VS?) that I don't need the booster pump for? Could I turn these two pumps into one, way more efficient, pump that could also push the cleaner? I have a Polaris 380 cleaner.

Basically I am looking to know if I make this investment, is it worth it? Will it pay for itself with less electricity usage? Maybe after a year of use? Any suggestions on which pumps/pump? Am I even able to get rid of the booster pump or will I always need two with this type of cleaner?

Thank you in advance.

 

[JoelFitz]

Well, there're options for more efficient motors but sometimes they require additional wiring such as for a 2 speed. A VS wouldn't need additional wiring but would need additional set-up steps. For starters you can check to see if your pumps are wired 240 or 120 as that's a way to save. Both pumps pull twice as many amps on 120 service than 240 service.

As far as the Polaris 380, no you can't run it off a VS filter pump. You would need to have the 360 that comes with a larger feed line than your 380 to be run off 1 pump. The small feed line of the 380 is too restrictive and although you may get it to work on a VS you'd basically have to run the pump on max speed with 75% of the flow going to the Polaris which isn't very efficient.

The VS pump will pay for itself, it'll take longer than 1 year but certainly possible.

 

[mas985]

How long are you running the pump each day?

If you run your pump 4 hours per day, even that may be too much for a single speed pump, that pump would cost about $22/month at $0.11/kwh.

Pool School - Determine Pump Run Time

 

[awtrizzle]

I think I have my pump set to run 7 hours a day. Maybe too much. I'll look at the link. Thanks.