Electric Bill HUGE in Month One

[Sotex]

We have been running our pump probably more than we need to, but I'd rather err on the side of keeping things filtered and clean.

We have a IntelliFlo VSF 3.95 hp pump and a 10,000 gallon pool. What would you suggest I run in regards to timing of schedule and flow rate (RPM/GPM)?

Is there anything else I'm missing that could impact our electric bill?

 

[mknauss]

You run your pump primarily for two reasons. One is to create your chlorine (if you have a SWCG) or to distribute your chemical additions. You do not show a SWCG, so when you add your liquid chlorine each day you should run the pump for 30-60 minutes after. The second reason is to skim the surface to your liking. You can adjust your RPM down to the level that skims and the length of time based on your desires.

 

[rphpool]

Sotex we have very similar pools. I run my pump 3 times per day for 1.5 hours each time @ 1800rpm. I also have my Stenner pump dump chlorine at those same times for 15 minutes each. Twice per day during one of the cycles my pressure cleaner comes on and does it's job. As mentioned above run time is for chemical dilution and to skim pool based on time of year and amount of debris falling into pool. I guesstimate my pool cost $7 / month to run like that based on 9cents/kw. Your ET8 will tell you how many watts your are using at your present setting and you can then figure cost based on electricity cost.

 

[markayash]

Does your spa has a water fall into the pool? I run mine 24/7 but at 2100 rpm or 4psi. I used my amp meter and it's only using about 200 watts
What speed are you ruining it now?

 

[Sotex]

Sotex we have very similar pools. I run my pump 3 times per day for 1.5 hours each time @ 1800rpm. I also have my Stenner pump dump chlorine at those same times for 15 minutes each. Twice per day during one of the cycles my pressure cleaner comes on and does it's job. As mentioned above run time is for chemical dilution and to skim pool based on time of year and amount of debris falling into pool. I guesstimate my pool cost $7 / month to run like that based on 9cents/kw. Your ET8 will tell you how many watts your are using at your present setting and you can then figure cost based on electricity cost.

At 1800 RPM, that's 358 watts for me.

 

[rphpool]

I know my a/c is running non stop in the heat. What do you pay per kw in SA?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Sotex,

If you are running at 1800 RPM most of the time, then the IntelliFlo is not why your electric bill has gone up... I run mine at 1200 most of the time and 24/7, for less that $20 bucks a month..

Something else is causing your bill to go up.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Sotex]

I know my a/c is running non stop in the heat. What do you pay per kw in SA?

Peak months it's about 8.5 cents per kw. It's 6.9 cents with a 1.9 cent surcharge for anything over 600 kw for the month.

 

[Sotex]

Sotex,

If you are running at 1800 RPM most of the time, then the IntelliFlo is not why your electric bill has gone up... I run mine at 1200 most of the time and 24/7, for less that $20 bucks a month..

Something else is causing your bill to go up.

Thanks,

Jim R.

What I meant is I JUST changed the pump setting to that. It was running over 3000 RPM previously.

 

[markayash]

3.95 hp seems like a big pump for your pool, have you tried turning the speed down lower?

 

[Jimrahbe]

What I meant is I JUST changed the pump setting to that. It was running over 3000 RPM previously.

Gotcha.. That should help a lot..

Jim R.

 

[cme4oil]

What I meant is I JUST changed the pump setting to that. It was running over 3000 RPM previously.

3000 RPM will use a lot more electricitY than 1800...

I have a inteliflo w 3HP:

1800 RPM = 400 watts
3000 RPM = 2000 watts

Big difference...

I usually run 1200 watts which uses about 75 watts.

 

[Sotex]

3.95 hp seems like a big pump for your pool, have you tried turning the speed down lower?

Just did. Yeah, it's big. We have two deck jets and air blowers in the spa. I'll check back after July reading to see what change it makes to kw usage daily.

 

[Sotex]

3000 RPM will use a lot more electricitY than 1800...

I have a inteliflo w 3HP:

1800 RPM = 400 watts
3000 RPM = 2000 watts

Big difference...

I usually run 1200 watts which uses about 75 watts.

I'll crank it down to 1000 - 1200 and see how the pool looks!

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[Jimrahbe]

So,

Not that it makes any real difference, but all the IntelliFlo VSF pumps that I know of have 3.0 HP motors..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[markayash]

So,

Not that it makes any real difference, but all the IntelliFlo VSF pumps that I know of have 3.0 HP motors..

Thanks,

Jim R.

He added nitrous to his

 

[Sotex]

He added nitrous to his

My nickname is Tim "The Toolman" Taylor...grunt!

 

[Sotex]

So,

Not that it makes any real difference, but all the IntelliFlo VSF pumps that I know of have 3.0 HP motors..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Yep - I was looking at the big sticker on the side, so SFHP which is 3.95 and HP is 3.

 

[Richard320]

My nickname is Tim "The Toolman" Taylor...grunt!

I remember the day that pump got installed.

giant pump motor.JPG

• Richard320
• Jun 14, 2019

 

[markayash]

I remember the day that pump got installed.

giant pump motor.JPG

• Richard320
• Jun 14, 2019

What is that beast used for?
I am old school street racer and always drives me crazy when I see electric motors with "turbo" wrote on them..