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Since the US DOE regulations came into effect almost all pool pumps of 1 HP or more are variable speed pumps. There are some exceptions for low HP, high HP, and specialty pumps. And if you are not in the US then single speed or 2-speed pumps may still be available. | Since the US DOE regulations came into effect almost all pool pumps of 1 HP or more are variable speed pumps. There are some exceptions for low HP, high HP, and specialty pumps. And if you are not in the US then single speed or 2-speed pumps may still be available. | ||
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| + | ==What Pump Should You Buy?== | ||
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| + | It is nearly always advantageous to go with a larger Total Horse Power (THP) VS pump in a pump family for both lower noise and greater electrical energy efficiency unless electrical cost does not matter to you. | ||
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| + | A Variable Speed Pump is a variable HP pump. So the concerns about a high HP pump damaging equipment are no longer valid. You run the VS pump at the speed and HP most suitable for your pump and equipment. | ||
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| + | Variable speed pumps are more complex then single speed or 2-speed pumps with electronic control panels to set run times and speeds. Some VS control panels can be very rudimentary while others can have sophisticated controls. If you do not have an automation controller controlling your VS pump you should review the pump Owners Manual and understand the controls of a pump you are considering. | ||
Revision as of 16:45, 25 September 2024
Pump Basics
The pool pump market was turned upside down when the US Department of Energy (DOE) implemented Federal Energy Efficiency regulations, as of July 19, 2021, on Dedicated Purpose Pool pumps (DPPP). For more about that read Pump DOE Regulations.
It used to be that pool pumps were selected based on the pump horsepower to fit the size of the pool and equipment. You were advised a pump which is too large for the plumbing and equipment could cause damage to the filter and other components and will use more energy than a smaller pump. Turnover times of the pool water used to be discussed although we now know that turnover does not matter.
Since the US DOE regulations came into effect almost all pool pumps of 1 HP or more are variable speed pumps. There are some exceptions for low HP, high HP, and specialty pumps. And if you are not in the US then single speed or 2-speed pumps may still be available.
What Pump Should You Buy?
It is nearly always advantageous to go with a larger Total Horse Power (THP) VS pump in a pump family for both lower noise and greater electrical energy efficiency unless electrical cost does not matter to you.
A Variable Speed Pump is a variable HP pump. So the concerns about a high HP pump damaging equipment are no longer valid. You run the VS pump at the speed and HP most suitable for your pump and equipment.
Variable speed pumps are more complex then single speed or 2-speed pumps with electronic control panels to set run times and speeds. Some VS control panels can be very rudimentary while others can have sophisticated controls. If you do not have an automation controller controlling your VS pump you should review the pump Owners Manual and understand the controls of a pump you are considering.
