Freeze protection and continuous pump operation

[djpool21]

About 2 years ago our pool builder set pool and spa freeze protection on and I've left it that way since. So I'm thinking more about it now and I'm wondering if there's any benefit beyond running the pool pump at a low speed 24 x 7. This is how I run the pump year round and I'm wondering if it's redundant to also have freeze protection on thus adding more wear and tear on the valves and actuators. There is a spillover spa and water features are winterized.

If there is a benefit, then maybe having freeze protection on when temps are in the 20s for a short period of time is appropriate, rather than on when temps fall to just 30-35 degrees for a 3-4 hours overnight.

 

[Texas Splash]

Like you, come rain or shine, 110 degrees or 10 degrees, I also keep my system running 24/7. If my pump had freeze protection I'd probably just turn it off since I'm overriding it anyways. Sounds like you winterize your spa and waterfall which is perfect, so letting the system run continuously should suffice. Of course power failures are our worst enemy, but that is regardless of freeze protection or not. But I think you have the right idea.

 

[wgillette]

@djpool21 I was going to ask the same question. I run mine 24x7, but back during the deep freeze we got back in December (I'm also in Raleigh) I turned on Freeze Protection. I think I'm going to turn off Freeze Protection.

 

[djpool21]

Thanks for the comments.
I'm turning off freeze protection today, especially since the pool water temp is 55 degrees and nighttime lows will again be just below freezing for just 2-4 hours. After thinking and over-thinking more about this I now understand that freeze protection will permit suction side water flow to the pump from the spa when it cycles to spa mode. There's only about a 2-3 foot section of pipe above ground from the spa to the pump and it's insulated. If I just ran just the pool pump instead of freeze protection there would be the risk of this small section of pipe above ground freezing in the coldest conditions. If I got this right, this is the only reason on my pool for using freeze protection over just running the pump continuously. Other thoughts?

For colder, longer, and hard freeze temperatures I'll return the system to freeze protection on both pool and spa just as @wgillette does. Thanks!

 

[SteveTech]

So just a thought.. I have freeze protection ON and when we had the cold snap back in Feb of this year, what freeze protection did was cycle back and forth every 15 mins between SPA and Pool, always keeping the water flowing in all pipes.

 

[Texas Splash]

If I just ran just the pool pump instead of freeze protection there would be the risk of this small section of pipe above ground freezing in the coldest conditions.

You''ll have to evaluate your situation closely. In post 1 you mentioned you winterize the spa and water features. If that's the case, then theoretically all plumbing to those areas should be protected. But if you fear water is still traveling through some of those lines because you are unable to clear them, then you would want to be sure water is always moving. Or at the very least as noted by Steve, cycling on/off every so often to prevent freezing.

 

[generessler]

I think my situation is similar to yours. When the valves are in pool mode there's a 3' section of suction pipe with standing water that could freeze.

So in November I set that valve manually at 25% spa (drains) and 75% pool (drains and skimmers) with the toggle switch. The heater bypass is at 50/50, and the return valve in the normal pool position. That's 50% spa, 50% pool. Then I turn the pump on 24/7 at 1200 rpm. Finally, tweak the pool return valve until the spa doesn't drain down. With this setup, every pipe and the heater should have water moving through them. Just to make sure, the freeze protect speed is 1800 rpm.

Seems to work fine. Got through the several nights at 8F we had around Christmas. There was a skim of ice on the surface in the mornings. Being paranoid, I did turn up the freeze protect speed up to 2000. Cheap insurance.

 

[wgillette]

That's a good point I should clarify. My standard setup is always split between the spa and pool. Since my spa is inset into my pool, I pull from both spa and pool and return to both as well. I don't use spillover mode, so I'm continually refreshing the spa.

I did turn up the freeze protect speed up to 2000.

Where do you adjust the speed of Freeze Protect? Mine seems to be set to max speed. Is this a pump setting or Automation setting.

 

[djpool21]

Thanks for the comments.
I'm also considering turning off freeze protection today, especially since the pool water temp is 52 degrees and nighttime lows will again be just below freezing for just 2-4 hours. I'm not understanding the benefit, if any, of running Intellicenter freeze protection for the pool and spa over just having the pool pump run continuously with the trickle for the spa spillover.

That's a good point I should clarify. My standard setup is always split between the spa and pool. Since my spa is inset into my pool, I pull from both spa and pool and return to both as well. I don't use spillover mode, so I'm continually refreshing the spa.

Where do you adjust the speed of Freeze Protect? Mine seems to be set to max speed. Is this a pump setting or Automation setting.

 

[djpool21]

Thanks for the great suggestions and giving me a number of options to consider. To be clear, the only water features winterized are the waterfall and bubblers, not the spa.

 

[Texas Splash]

To be clear, the only water features winterized are the waterfall and bubblers, not the spa.

Definitely makes a difference. Glad you clarified.