DO MULTISPEED POOL MOTORS REALLY SAVE ENERGY

DO MULTISPEED POOL MOTORS REALLY SAVE ENERGY
AND HOW MUCH DO THEY REALLY SAVE ???

Since most of the information concerning energy efficiency of swimming pool multispeed motors is either
provided by the manufacturers or demonstrated by others in a laboratory type enviroment, We decided to
set up our real world test using a real swimming pool, (not a tub of water) to determine if, energy is being saved, how much and with what conditions, ie water clarity, use of automatic cleaners, solar heaters, noise,
use of salt systems, heat pumps etc.

OUR TEST SET UP:
We conducted this test on a standard (open unscreened) 15 x 30 gunite pool built in 1983 using 1 1/2" PVC
with a skimmer, main drain, 2 inlets, and a side vac port. Pump is a Sta Rite Duraglass 1 HP 1.25 SF, Filter is a 36 sq ft Hayward DE--- A GE watthour meter (same as the power companies use) is connected to the
pump power feed to accurately measure kwh used. We installed a brand new 1HP standard capacitor start/induction run motor to the existing 28 year old pump to mitigate any inefficiency of the motor due to age. We kept the old pump because the purpose of this test was to see if it was possible to save energy by changing the motor to the new energy efficient models without changing the entire pump as many Floridians have perfectly good pumps with old inefficient single speed motors
Note: This test was conducted on a pool in Coral Springs Florida in the Florida Power & Light Service Area
Average Electric rate is 13 cents per Kwh Pump is run 365 days of the year

Our first test was with the standard one speed motor in order to establish a base line

We ran the pump for 6 Hours a day over a 7 day period using 59 kwh   x 52 weeks= 3,068 kwh/year
Our flow rate 3600 GPM x 6 HRS= 21,600 GAL PER DAY

On our second test, we replaced the 1 HP single speed with a US Electric 2 ez 2speed motor with built in timer, We ran the pump 6 Hours a day low speed, and 2 Hours a day high speed over a 7 day period
using 29kwh x 52 weeks =1,508 kwh/year
Our flow rate 1800GPM x 6 HRS=10,800 + 3600 x 2HRS=7,200 ----- 10,800 + 7,200=18,000 GAL PER DAY

On our third test, Using the 2 speed motor, we ran the pump 8 hours a day on low speed for 7 days
and 2 hours a week on high speed using 15 kwh     x52 weeks= 780 kwh year
Our flow rate 1800 GPM x 8 HRS= 14,400 GAL PER DAY

                       OUR CONCLUSIONS

During all the tests we continually monitored water clarity using
an HF Scientific Field Portable Turbidimeter (this is a much more
accurate method than the old reliable---throw a coin in the deep
end and see if you can tell if it is heads or tails)---Turbidity was
always less than 1 ntu in all the tests, so the water clarity was
not an issue...Our test pool had a hayward navigator suction side
self cleaner installed on a side vacuum port, that is why on test
2, we ran high speed for 2 hours a day to allow the cleaner to operate at full speed, interestingly, the navigator ran slowly at
the low speed, but continued to work... We did not test baracuda, kreepy, or great white at this time...On our third test, we removed
the automatic cleaner, ran the pump on low all the time, with the
exception of 2 hours on the weekend when we used a manual pole vac
to clean the pool. The bottom line---Electricity in South Florida
costs approximately 13 cents per kwh---Running a standard 1 HP
pool pump 6 hours per day costs 33.23 a month---Running a 2 speed
6 hours low and 2 hours high speed costs 16.33 a month (for pools
with suction cleaners) Running a 2 speed on low 8 hours a day
costs 8.45 a month (for pools that are cleaned manually)

So most pool owners with automatic suction cleaners can save
17.00 a month or 204.00 per year

Pool owners who clean their pool manually can save
25.00 a month or 300.00 per year

Notes: Flow rate on low speed is sufficient to operate most salt
chlorination systems---Low speed will not work with solar heaters
on roofs or some heat pumps so these savings may not be valid if
you have a pool heating system---In pools having water falls, the
flow will be less on low speed---This test was on an average
15,000 gallon pool with a 1 HP pump---As an added bonus, the
motor is extremely quiet at low speed and operating temperatures
are very low---this should give longer life...Regardless of what
kind of pool motor you choose, always replace the seal as part
of a continuing maintenance program to prolong and protect your
investment...click here for more info


         CALULATE HOW MUCH YOU CAN SAVE
         This is how much you presently pay per
            year to operate a one speed pool pump

      PUMP HP                  HOURS RUNNING PER DAY
                                              6                       8                       12

             3/4                          $288                $384                   $576
               1                          $384                $512                    $768
             1 1/2                      $576               $768                  $1032

            SO DEPENDING ON YOUR PUMP HORSEPOWER &
            RUNNING TIME PER DAY, YOU CAN SAVE , BASED
            ON A VERY CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE OF 50 %
            BETWEEN $144 to $516 EACH AND EVERY YEAR

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