Single Speed Vs. Variable Speed Cost Comparison

See the cost difference of a single speed pump versus a variable speed pump by day, by month and over an 84 month service cycle in an apples to apples comparison that looks at filtration goals, turnover rate and flow rate for pump schedules on a 16x32', 20,000 gallon swimming pool.

#SwimmingPoolSteve #poolpump #comparison #variablespeedpump #efficiency

[angelorusso]

My single speed pool pump just went out after 7 years. I was doing research on whether VS is worth it. I kind of heard it was. Thanks for the numbers. Just remember to include the cost difference between single and VS pumps and remove that from the savings. SS pumps are $300-$700. VS speed pumps are $1, 000-$2000. There are some like the B&D VS going for $750-$900. Still end up saving $$ going with VS as long as running the pump 24/7/365 doesn't kill the VS pump faster and you shorten that 84 month avg ownership. I have solar and lowering my daily kWh usage is always a good thing. I did the same calculations with a standard vs hybrid water heater. The initial up front cost of the unit always scares people away, but the savings over 10-20 years is phenomenal!

[billyc]

Best video on savings for variable speed pump I've seen. Great information and very easy to understand the logic. Thank you! I've got some reprogramming to do. :-)

[AndyTanguay]

This is insanely useful and informative. Thank you and your whiteboard.

Probably can save even more by doing the higher RPM stuff at night when our cost per kWh is cheaper.

[victorsr]

Bravo!!!! I’m an air conditioning tech and can tell you the same applies to inverter (VFD) heat pumps.

[cliffvictoria]

Great info! Thanks Steve. I am in the process of repairing my home after hurricane Ian and my pump was one of the damaged items. Replacing it with a VS and a salt water system. Love the idea that I will be saving some money.

[My_Albatross_House]

I plan to do the higher RPMs during the day when my solar panels are compensating for the AC and the pool pump. Also, down here in Texas, there is the occasional freeze if you live near the gulf and being able to run it 24 hours without being bankrupted in the process is just a good thing.

[mlangfordoutdoor]

This was informative thank you new subscriber, I have to replace my single speed pump on an 18, 000 in ground pool so looking for something like this

[permenck]

Extremely interesting - thanks a million for sharing !

[rizano]

I may be wrong about this, but I would think in addition to the cost savings, it is better for the pool to have 24x7 water movement as opposed to 12 hours of water that is stagnant.

[mike_saw_]

I'm getting that same pump and a 200sf filter for my 10000 gallon pool. I cannot wait to see the savings and also how low I will be able to run the pump. I plan on adding a FloVis to really dial it in. Thanks for all your informative videos!

[chrismartin]

#1 run your variable speed pump on higher speeds during the night you will save more money per kilowatt hour..#2 check with your power company to see if they offer a rebate on variable speed pool pumps..I have Ameren power and got a 275.00 rebate for using one..just a couple of more ways to save folks..

[GGSINDY]

You also have to take into account reliability and cost of repair. My last Pentair VSP lasted only 3 yrs because the drive (electronics) failed - not the motor. The cost of replacing the drive alone was more than 2/3 cost of a new pump. My last single speed pump lasted 7 years and I just replaced the motor when it failed. I'm pretty sure my energy cost savings were obliterated by the lifespan of the VSP.

[lslaflamme]

Hi Steve, you have nice measurement equipment! Often, pool volume is estimated (not easy). 1, 5in pipes is also common (pipes under ground). You mentioned also pump affinity law, and it is really great. It can be interesting also to find the best efficiency point (BEP) of the pump and talk about power factor (PF). I just bought a Pentair VFD and I will check for pressure and flow meter.Thanks!

[fxixtaiail]

Very good info and great presentation!

[mchaelhron]

Awesome, technical video. You are a great teacher. Thanks.

[roblipps]

Thank you Steve.This video is very informative. I never realized how much power I've been drawing over the years. I've been running a 1 hp hayward super pump, single speed, 24/7 from mid April until early October. I live in Manitoba. I am now looking into replacing this with a variable speed Max Flo. I like the way the skimmer opens on this model. My pool is a smaller ingroung kidney shape, approx 18, 000 gallons. Does this sound like a good choice Steve? Our Hydro company offered a rebate last year to switch over to VS and I'm hoping the same offer comes available again this spring.

[grassthief]

Great vid Steve thanks for this I have exactly this same set up gonna copy your speeds onto my 1.5 vs superflo pump as we speak

[hinzylifestyle]

Steve, great video. I have a question: what is your time settings for this set up for 1, 2, and 3? I'm new to VS pumps and bought a Pentair 1.5hp yesterday.

[kumbaproperties]

the only issue is that variable pumps like the pentair VS are not reliable and break down costing more money. a single speed motor can run for 10+ years without issues. the savings would make sense if the VS pumps didnt break down with a hefty cost of repair.

[gregfaris]

Nice video – wish I had the flow meter setup he has.
He left out an important calculation though – or more correctly he glossed over it.
The $4200 you “save” on a VS pump is very close to the amount you will pay to buy it and have it installed. In other words, over the service life of the pump you will have saved exactly $0.00.
He did mention the cost comparison to install a variable speed vs a fixed speed, but this calculation is essentially meaningless, partly because no one installs fixed-speed pumps any more, but mostly because unless you are building a house or a pool from scratch, you ALREADY HAVE the single speed pump. It came with the house!
What this comes down to is very simple: When your old single speed pump finally fails, it is DEFINITELY worth the extra cost to replace it with a variable speed. Prior to that time, there is simply no meaningful economic argument to justify replacing it with a variable speed.
Now there could be other factors that make it worthwhile to you. The quietness of the VS pump at lower speeds is a real quality of life factor, and you can program it so that its “quiet time” corresponds to the time you are sitting out and enjoying the pool. Another factor is the ability to tie it into your home automation system to control and monitor it from anywhere. But the white-board financial calculation does not work unless you are building from new, or it’s already time to replace your old end-of-life system.