Summer is swimming season. But while pools are a great way to relax, they contribute significantly to home energy costs. While lighting your pool certainly increases power consumption, pool pumps are the most power hungry component by far. In most households, they run constantly from May-September, driving up electricity bills during summer and fall. To help manage your energy budget, in this blog we’ll break down the factors that determine how much electricity a pool pump uses and the steps you can take to control costs and save money.
Pool Pump Electricity Usage
The amount of energy a pool pump consumes depends on three factors: wattage, power, and run time. Wattage is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). If it’s not listed on the pump motor, you can calculate it by multiplying your pump’s voltage and amperage. For example, if the voltage is 230 and its amperage is 6.5, then its wattage is 1,495 watts (230 x 6.5 = 1,495). To convert watts to kWh, divide by 1,000.
Wattage is related to its horsepower. One horsepower is roughly equivalent to 0.75 kW. How much you need depends on your piping, turnover rate, and the size of your pool. Turnover is the amount of time required to circulate the water in your pool through the pump. If your pool holds 20,000 gallons and you want it to turnover every eight hours, then you’ll need a pump with a flow rate of 40 gallons a minute (20,000 ÷ 8 ÷ 60 = 41.6). A pool that holds 30,000 gallons needs a flow rate of 60 gallons a minute.
You’ll also have to account for “head,” the friction inside your piping. Though it’s measured in feet, it’s actually determined by valves, fittings, pipe length, and the distance between your pool and your pump. Short systems normally have 40-50 feet of head, while long systems might have 80 or more. Balancing these factors is difficult, so most manufacturers do the work for you. Consulting their performance charts will tell you how much horsepower you’ll need to ensure smooth, steady circulation.
Finally, run time is measured in hours. Running a large pump at high speed twenty-four hours a day can add $150-$200 to your monthly electricity costs, while a small pump run at low speed might only add $30-$40.
How to Reduce Pool Pump Costs
Pool pumps filter the water in your swimming pool and ensure its sanitizing chemicals are evenly distributed. Without them, your pool would quickly become cloudy and unsafe. Since you can’t do without your pool pump, reducing energy consumption requires a careful balance in order to minimize waste while keeping your pool clean.
The simplest way is to run the pump less often. Pumps don’t need to run nonstop as long as they circulate the water in your pool at least once a day, so check your turnover rate. Most pumps have a turnover rate of around eight hours, but if you own a large pool, it might take ten or twelve.
Because algae feeds off direct sunlight, it’s best to run the pump during the day and cover the pool at night, to make sure your pool stays as clean as possible. If you notice a change in water quality, run your pump more often until it disappears.
Homeowners should also consider upgrading their motor. Some pumps run at fixed speed, typically a high RPM, regardless of your pool’s filtration needs. This is overkill in most situations, where a lower speed would filter the water just as effectively. Purchasing a variable speed motor lets your pump adjust its RPMs during routine filtration tasks, only ramping up to full power when priming the motor, backwashing a filter, or operating special features, like waterfalls and jets.
Replacing narrow pipes with wider ones also lowers resistance inside the system. Better flow allows the motor to pump water at the same rate with less energy. Similarly, cleaning and changing the filters prevents buildup from blocking the flow of water, allowing your motor to work less to move the same amount of water.
Conclusion
A well-maintained swimming pool can significantly improve your home’s resale value, as well as providing a convenient leisure spot for friends and family. Understanding how much electricity your pool pump uses ensures it remains an affordable escape, someplace you can cool off and relax without putting pressure on your budget.
