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, such as running a suction side pool cleaner full time

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 1.5 HP 1.1 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 standard capacitor start/induction run motor to the existing 32 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 12 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 8 Hours a day over a 30 day period using 375 kwh per month
     Our flow rate 3000 GPH x 8 HRS= 24,000 GAL PER DAY

     On our second test, we replaced the 1.5 HP single speed with a US Motor Eco Tech EZ,
     We ran the pump 8 Hours a day at a 70% speed for a 30 day period
     Using 132 kwh per month
     Our flow rate was the same 3000 GPH, our pool has a Great White suction side automatic
     pool cleaner that runs full time        Physics Majors may question how we were able to acheive the same flow
                                                                                   rate at reduced rpm---do to the law of affinity---pressure was reduced-
                                                                                   however flow rate remained the same--

                       OUR CONCLUSIONS

The bottom line---Electricity in South Florida
costs approximately 12 cents per kwh---Running a standard 1.5 HP
pump 8 hours per day costs $45.00 a month---Running a varispeed
at the same flow rate costs 15.84 a month


So most pool owners with automatic suction cleaners can save
$29.16 per month or $349.92 a year, these savings continue
year after year

-This test was on an average
18,000 gallon pool with a 1.5 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


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