How Much Power Does A Pool Pump Use?

From www.swimmingpoo... this video looks at a 1.5 horsepower pump running at maximum speed, 3450 RPM, to see how much power it consumes.

[@tommac5411]

Looks like a clean setup.

[@imtheonetosayit3657]

Lots! Especially on startup draws huge current.

[@johnkenney7217]

I don't think my iAquaLink status output is accurate. It said at 3450 RPM I was using 40705 Watts, or more than 40 kW. This is with a 2" return line and a spa not that far away, about 50 feet. At 3110 RPM, 19 kW, at 2350, 709 Watts, at 1500, 153 Watts, and at 750, 40 Watts. So I'll be running it at 750 of course, since that turns about 38 GPM, so I can turn my 1575 gallon spa 3 times in 2 hours.

[@krehbein]

So just to be clear, this was a 220v, 1.5hp pump running at full speed. A 3/4hp pump would use ~1/2 power. Also no one would run a variable speed pump at 100% 24 hours a day right? But good video, to the point!

[@chriscontreras5526]

I'm in Arizona and we get a lot of dust storms this time of year. I run my variable speed pump 24 hours. Should I turn it off before us the storm hits us

[@MeMe-jg1el]

You did a video on the importance of using pressure fittings and not DWV fittings. Good info. However, you're using DWV pipe coming right out of your pump LOL!

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

That pipe is dual rated for both DWV and pressure rated applications. This is getting more common. Dual rated pipe will have ASTM ratings D1785 and also D2665.

[@MeMe-jg1el]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve OK, cool. Never heard of that.

[@hughclarke8504]

Question, I have a two stage pool pump, should I switch out to a variable speed pump?

[@AjHx90x]

Thanks for answering my questions. Do you have zelle ? I went on your website and saw your question packages lol, as a pool builder which one should I buy? As a female I hate asking questions sometimes because they look at me as stupid and inexperienced have a great day

[@mayorb3366]

Volts x Amps = Watts. On VS pumps, watts will vary by rpms. You need to know what your rate is per kilowatt hour from your electric company to figure electric cost to run pump.

[@jameskrieger3852]

Thanks for this video. I have been watching many of your other videos and have been learning a lot. I am currently getting quotes for a new pool. I’m looking at a ~22,000 gallon pool with spa that will have a SWG. The PB I’m thinking of using suggests a TriStar 900 pump. I’m wondering if I should ask to upgrade to a TriStar 950 pump. My plan is to operate the pump at minimum speeds for at least 18 hours a day. Do you have any thoughts on the 900 versus the 950 pump for my setup?

[@serg3y]

How do you open the the priming bucket on this pump? looks like it would be impossible...

[@Sanwizard1]

Mine is like 100 watts. Its a 3hp Circupool running at 1200 RPM

[@darinsmith9468]

A single speed or even a 2-speed on high speed will actually consume even more than the variable speed on highest speed. Inductive motors (standard single and 2-speed motors) are quite a bit less efficient inherently than the permanent magnet motors that variable speed pumps use. There is a bit of an offset due to the power required for the drive electronics (Hayward seems to be more efficient than Pentair there), but overall, the variable speed is going to run more efficiently, cooler, and quieter (and the motor itself should last longer...there are half as many windings to short out and you don't have to deal with the start & run capacitors). My only concern with the variable speed pumps is the longevity of the drive electronics.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Great comment, thank you

[@craigwilson1973]

What do you think of what the ultimatepoolguy said? He said running vsp pump running on a lower rpm isn’t efficient enough and cats more to run, is he correct?

[@craigwilson1973]

Not cats I mean costs

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Not correct which you can see evidenced for yourself in science textbooks explaining pump affinity laws. As ypu reduce rpm there is a (non linear) drop in the power consumption while maintaining a linear drop in flow rate. Also, maximum laminar flow efficiency in 1.5" and 2" pipes are quite low. Only 38gpm and 65 gpm respectively, so any operation in excess of these speeds means a substantial loss in energy efficiency to friction and turbulence. Interestingly slow water also filters better so long as you meet minimum flow rates. All around VS pumps beat the ever loving dog poop out of single speed pumps in every measurable category. Quieter, last longer (less heat at lower speeds), more functional control, and literally will put thousands back in your pocket, effectively paying for itself more than one time over. Don't listen to the haters. Do the math, literally, and here is a page I built with another video that REALLY helps to make it simple to see how it works and where you save money (and how much you save) www.swimmingpoolsteve.com/pages/compare-savings.html

[@craigwilson1973]

I totally agree with your math, I think this other guy thinks it’s a scam produced by the power companies to make more money, I understand Laminar flow

[@Arthur-tu9ty]

How many watts at high speed. Also what’s the gph. Thanks Arthur

[@AJTarnas]

does such a pump run constantly 24/7 ? i thought it would be intermittent.

[@cristianmonsalves8132]

Where did you get that display? pretty cool!

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

The flow meters are something you can buy from pool companies. They probably have to order one for you. Not a lot of places would stock digital flow meters.

[@MustangNthusiest]

Is that on a110v. Or connected as 220v?

[@intertwinedmpz8679]

I have a beach house I want to install a swimming pool but uterlize the sea water instead of chlorine is this a good idea?

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Definitely not. The salt content is sea water is too high for any swimming pool and pool equipment not specifically purpose made for that application. Running sea water in a regular pool would kill it.

[@cutlas72]

Do not do that ! Very bad idea, you will waste so much money if you do. Do not use well water either. Use normal city water if you can.

[@41109Prince]

How many solar panels would I need to run a above ground pool pump it’s 24x52 it’s a Hayward pump

[@Arthur-tu9ty]

You probably don’t have 3 acres of free land. Cause that’s what you’ll need.

[@alextsym]

it was not a loaded question.... just saying....

[@VIAMediaGroup]

I am attempting to set up a electric generator system attached directly to my inground pool filter pump water outlet side. I want to use it to generate enough 220v 60hz current to feed back into the system to slightly offset the cost of running the pump during filtering of the pool.... Or.... generate enough 110v 60hz current to power an electric heater to help heat the pool cutting down on propane pool heating costs. So, what I think I need: 1. is to find a reasonably priced high-volume/low resistance water pump (possibly centrifugal), 2. tied to or mounted on a pump motor or car alternator and somehow converted to a generator, 3. Run that current through an appropriate inverter that can also output either the 220v or 110v AC at 60hz. 4. Then use that current to either run an electric pool heater at 1500 - 2000w or 5. Used in conjunction with 3 or 4 car 12v batteries, 6. back-feed the captured current back into the system.???? Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated!!!! I am trying to do this on a budget. I also realize and understand energy loss and entropy and the 1st and 2nd Laws, so I am only trying to recapture a portion of energy that is currently wasted. So far, I have thought about employing the use of a "jet well pump", or a centrifugal pump and running them in reverse of designed flow???