Is there a device to slow down our 2 speed pool pump.........electricity bill is $$$$

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Victor Newman

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Sep 6, 2014
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Grants Pass, OR
We are in southern OR. Overnight/morning temps have been 25 to 35 degrees for 2-3 months. We have Intermatic Freeze Control installed and it works good. Too good.

Can I slow the flow and/or watts used.......to keep water moving, but save us some money ? IAW a device similar to a dimmer switch for the pool light we now use. TIA.
 
Victor.

No you can not..

But... I assume that your pump is running at high speed when in freeze control.. If so, you should be able to wire it to run the pump at low speed..

As a side note... One of the great things about a large VS pump is that you can run it at a low rpm for not much money... My 3 HP VS pump runs 24/7/365 for less than $20 bucks a month... The downside of course the initial cost of about $1,500 to $2,000 depending on the pump.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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Hi JimR and thanks. It does run on low speed via freeze control. Part of the problem is that we are all-electric and when you jump from one KW level to another.....the rates go up. And when you jump to the next level.......$$$$
Is there a way for me to fool the freeze control....not to go on @ 35 and not to stay on....until 38 or so ? I can go outside to the control box and grab the copper wire sensor in my hand, warm it up...and it clicks off.
 
Victor,

I have an automation system that allows me to adjust my air temp calibration.. I do not have your system and do not know if the sensor can be adjusted or not. It does not look like it.. I guess that you could insulate the copper probe a little... :scratch:

But... Let's ask someone that knows... Calling @JamesW

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
With a Two-Speed Pump, you should have an On/Off Timer and a Low Speed/High Speed Timer.

What make and model thermostat?

Pictures?

Victor Newman said:
It does run on low speed via freeze control.
Click to expand...
How much power is being used?

Picture of the motor label?

Do you need High Speed for any reason?

Make and Model of Pump?

You can downsize the pump impeller to reduce power costs on low speed and high speed.
 
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Hi Jim and James..........Our freeze control is old Intermatic PF 1103M. 32 to 44 degrees. I have covered the copper wire sensor with pipe insulation.....with mixed results. Yes, we have a 2 speed pool pump. Normal useage is 6-9 in the a.m. and 3-5 in p.m. 5 hours...... to turn over 13,000 gallons....2 1/2 times. Runs on slow speed 1/2 of the time (3.5A) and high speed 1/2 of the time (10A) as we have fir trees close to pool.....and they are messy. And Polaris LL105 booster pump likes high speed setting.

Freeze control overrides clock settings and we have been running pump about 10+ hours in 24 hours.

I don't see an EZ fix and will leave things alone until warm weather returns and freeze control unit goes dormant.

Thank you all for your comments.
 
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Model PF1103 Freeze Protection Control is self-contained in an indoor-outdoor, beige, rainproof enclosure and designed to be connected to a timing or switching device.

Together, they control as well as protect the Pool/Spa equipment and plumbing against freeze damage.

The Control, if wired according to instructions, turns ON the Filter Pump when the air temperature (where this Control is located) drops below the temperature set by the thermostat dial (between 32˚F and 45˚F).

TO SET THERMOSTAT, turn dial, pointing to desired temperature between 32˚F and 45˚F, marked on the plate.

Remember, many variables, such as the location of the Freeze Protection Control, the location of equipment and the pool or spa, the location and insulation of the plumbing, etc., must be considered before selecting the “turn ON” temperature of the Filter Pump.

Your local pool service professional is the best source of information.

The Thermostat is factory set to turn OFF the Filter Pump when the ambient temperature rises 5˚F above its set point.


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HI again, JamesW. It is set to go on at 32 degrees and I don't know when it shuts off.....5 degrees higher. It is in an outdoor space with a heat pump 6 feet away. Cold air blows out of heat pump and affects freeze control, even tho I have tried to deflect the cold air.....away from the freeze control. I tried to insulate the copper wire sensor.......and the entire unit, but I can't always tell when it goes on........and I am sure it stays on longer......than 5 degrees higher.
 
What is your power cost?

Assuming 15 cents per kwh and 385 watts on low speed, the cost is about 5.78 cents per hour to operate on low speed.

That's $1.39 per day or about $43.00 per month running 24/7.

Pacific Power offers multiple electricity rates for residential customers, including a fixed rate and a time of use (TOU) rate.

The TOU rate ranges from 10–29 cents per kWh.
 
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It is hard to tell....We are all electric and everything, i.e,......pool, spa, motorhome, cottage, heat pump, house,etc., ramps up from one KWH block to next. Rates just now went up 10-20% as PacPower has to pay for their lines sparking and causing wildfire damages. I can't plug in a Kilowatt Hour device to see more info. I am going to see tomorrow.....about the VSP that Newdude posted. And now.....I am going to investigate a Rye Whiskey Manhattan and get ready for the Super Bowl. Thank you for your informative posts......
 
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