Florida Energy Efficient Swimming Pool Pump Law Explained

June 6, 2011 — PeteThePoolGuy

If you live in Florida and your filter pump motor dies you will soon face one of 3 options. Because of new laws going into effect in July you must install either a 2-speed or variable speed motor on your main circulation pump. To help you choose what to do if you are facing this decision I will talk a little about your options.

Option #1

Replace your old single speed motor with a 2 speed motor. If you have a single speed timer i.e. Intermatic timer with a big yellow dial inside, you will also need to replace the timer with a 2 speed timer. Although the 2 speed motors are more efficient than single speed motors they are still basically constructed the same as they have been over the last decade. The housing is made of steel which is highly susceptible to rust and corrosion. Typically you should see 3-5 years of life out of these old style motors.

Option #2

Replace your single speed motor with a variable speed motor. The cost for variable speed motors is more expensive than 2 speed motors. However, you can operate these motors with your existing timer. When you take into consideration option #1 having to replace both the timer and motor then option #2 is less expensive because you only need to replace the motor. Variable speed motors are also more energy efficient than 2 speed motors.

We install a variable speed motor brand called ImPower. These variable speed motors are built with an aluminum housing which will drastically cut down on rust and corrosion issues. There is a fully enclosed fan which protects the motor internals better than old style motors. They are constructed way better than the old style motors and should last 5+ years. You will see $60-$75 of electricity savings each month when replacing a single speed motor.

Option #3

Install a brand new variable speed pump. If your pool pump was installed over 5 years ago I highly recommend this option. Because of the age of the plastic housing and internal components you may be looking at a major part of your existing pump cracking and breaking in the near future. The newer variable speed pumps are ultra quiet and energy efficient. Many models have digital programming so you do not even need a timer. But the most important feature of variable speed pumps is the optional safety vacuum release systems (SVRS.) You can expect to pay ~$300 extra to protect your swimmers from drowning by accidental entrapment. Variable speed pumps with the optional SVRS will shut down when there is trouble with blockage or low water in your pool. The typical lifespan of variable speed pumps should be 5+ years. You will save on average $60-$85 per month on electricity.

My personal top of the line choice is the IntelliPro. It uses the same body of the Sta-Rite Max-E-Pro, bar none the best engineered residential pump available today, with the pump intelligence of the more well-known IntelliFlo. The IntelliFlo uses the same pump body of the Pentair WhisperFlo. Water cooler talk amongst us “pool guys” only confirms my opinion about the IntelliPro being the time tested, best designed and most energy efficient model available today.  Hayward has a couple of variable speed models out as well the TriStar and the Ecostar. The TriStar has been out for a number of years and it is actually a nicely designed pump compared to some of the other Hayward models. I don’t however like the drive system that it’s connected to for the variable speed control. It’s a big box that is mounted on the wall and the programming is less than friendly. The Ecostar has just been introduced this year and so far it seems like a winner. Hayward seems to be having some trouble with production and they come dribbling from the factory a couple at a time in each area.

Before you faint at the initial sticker price to replace your dead pool pump motor let me explain to you the FULL picture. For example let’s take a look at replacing a 1½ horsepower motor. The old way would have been to swap out the motor with another single speed 1½ HP motor costing around $380 with tax and installation. The new way is to install a variable speed motor costing around $865 with tax and installation. A difference of $485, and now with your new ultra quiet energy efficient motor you will be saving $60-$75 per month on electricity. That’s no lie I’ve seen it time and time again. It will take you 8 months to make up that difference and start reaping the serious rewards of this new technology.

To look at this from an investment standpoint: If you were to take that extra $485 that this HORRIFIC mandate is going to make you spend on this new fangled contraption and invest it in the stock market you would have to see a 48% return on investment in the first year. Saving $60 on electricity each month for a year = $720. You just took that $485 and made $235 in the first year!  For 5 or so more years you will get paid roughly $720. How’s that $485 initial investment looking now? Now if you really wanna fall off your rocker Professional Poolcare does 0% interest financing for 12 months. You will literally get a FREE motor out of this deal and save BIG money!

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Energy Efficient Pool Pump Installation in Orlando

May 9, 2011 — PeteThePoolGuy

In this video we show the real world performance of the Pentair Intelliflo variable speed pool pump. This pump has been the leader in efficiency for many years in the pool industry. If you have a pool and are looking to save money on your electric bill this pump is a great option for you. Following is our calculations from this particular installation. To help you compare the two pumps we have the single speed pump readings in red and the variable speed pump readings in green.

Single Speed Pump / Variable Speed Pump

Volts = 220 / 220

Amps = 10.7 / 0.8

Watts = 2354 / 176

Hours on per day = 8 / 12

Kilowatt hours per day = 18.832 / 2.112

Electrical cost per day ($.125 per Kwh) = $2.35 / $0.264

Electrical cost per year = $859.21 / Electrical cost per year = $96.36

If you notice you will run the variable speed pump longer than the old single speed pump. The variable speed pump will run on a very low speed setting as compared to the maximum speed on the single speed pump. By running the variable speed pump longer this will allow the same amount of water to pass through your filter on a daily basis.

To further understand how this variable speed pump is so much more efficient I can make an analogy to a car going 55MPH and another car going 100MPH. We all know that the extra wind resistance is what burns up the fuel on the car going 100 MPH. Well a similar type of resistance happens in your pool filter and plumbing, friction loss. So by cutting down the friction loss by going slower you increase the efficiency of the pool pump for filtering water.

So you might ask why not just install a ¼ HP or ½ HP pump for the circulation pump? Well what would you do when you want to backwash, vacuum, or turn on the spa and water features?  You need the ability to ramp up power for these specific times. A variable speed pool pump gives you the ability to do so with water flow precision.

Call us for a quote on your next pool pump repair in Orlando. The areas we cover for pump repairs and installation in Florida is Orange, Seminole & North Osceola counties. This includes the towns of Altamonte Springs, Apopka, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Maitland, Orlando, Oviedo, Sanford, Winter Garden, Winter Springs, Winter Park, and Windermere.

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Energy Efficient Pump Installation

April 12, 2011 — PeteThePoolGuy

Starting July 1st 2011 a new law goes into effect banning the single speed pumps that we have been installing for years here in the Orlando area. The reason for this ban is that these pumps are quite frankly energy hogs compared to the newer energy efficient pumps. The only thing that consumes more electricity at the typical home is the air conditioner. Many pool builders have been putting in bigger and bigger pumps as the years pass by. I can remember when I was just starting out about 20 years ago when almost every pool had just a 1HP pump installed for the circulation pump. Now most pools have at least a 1.5HP pump and some even as high as 3HP on a residential. These pumps run at peak levels for 8-10 hours per day, costing you hundreds of dollars per year to operate. Now there is a better option.

Energy efficient pool pumps have been around for many years. Some pools here in Orlando may have 2 speed pumps or at least they used to. I say that because when it was time to change the 2 speed motor when it finally died the homeowner only saw the initial cost of replacement and not the long term cost. Two speed pumps generally cost about twice the amount to replace. But it’s not until the energy savings is taken into account do you really reap the rewards. The typical 2 speed pump would take around 2 years in its current efficiency rating to pay for itself in the amount of money you would save each month in electricity. Today we still have 2 speed pumps and motors but now we have a variable speed pump and motor to choose from. These pumps and motors are computer controlled and can deliver exactly the right amount of water for optimal flow and minimum energy consumption. We are currently seeing energy saving of up to 90% from a normal single speed pump. Bringing the power consumption to about what a normal incandescent light bulb is. I’m not talking about in a lab. These are actual pumps we have ripped out of homes and installed new variable speed models. We hooked it up to the multimeter and checked for ourselves. If I didn’t see it with my own 2 eyes I wouldn’t have believed it.

Forget about the energy savings for a moment. Let’s just talk about the motor itself. They came about from hybrid vehicle technology. These new motors are built to last much longer than the older predecessors. The housing is made from aluminum instead of steel to practically wipe out the issue with rust and corrosion. There is an additional barrier between the water side and the motor internals. No more starting capacitors to blow (if your repair guy even knew how to check them.). The magnets are much more powerful and when it is running it is whisper quite. I mean whisper quiet people.

Do you love what you’re hearing? Well, here’s how you can get a FREE one installed (or very close to free.) We are seeing an average of $60-$85 in savings off your electric bill each month. And we have 12 months 0% financing available on any repair or equipment installation. If you are comfortable paying your current electric bill now, plan in your budget to keep doing so. Have us install a variable speed pump and take the savings from your electric bill and pay the monthly payment for the pump. In 12 months you will have bought a new pump or paid very little out of pocket. Then every year after that you will continue to save money to the tune of $750 – $1000.

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A Move Toward More Efficient Swimming Pools

January 4, 2011 — PeteThePoolGuy

This month’s Aqua magazine (for spa and pool professionals) reports a movement in the industry toward more efficient swimming pools.  The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals is working to establish national efficiency standards under APSP-15.  In the past, efforts like these have come haphazardly at the state and local levels through laws and regulations.  APSP-15 will offer the industry a more uniform standard.

What does this mean for your pool?  Aqua reports,

Pool efficiency laws are ushering in a new age of pool equipment design for residential pools.  The movement is having a strong effect on the way the pool circulatory system is put together.  This includes pump selection, filter size, automation for the pump and heaters.

Single-speed swimming pool pumps under 1 HP will no longer be allowed and more emphasis will be placed on automation.  Multi-speed swimming pool pumps offer lower settings with greater energy efficiency when the pool is circulating.   They also offer the higher speeds needed when backwashing or vacuuming.  Installing a single-speed pump that always runs at high speed and consumes a lot of energy will be a thing of the past.  The regulations will not apply to booster, spa or feature pumps and piping but are focused on the main swimming pool filtration system.

Swimming pool controllers also help to alleviate some of the energy waste in pool care.  They ensure that swimming pool pumps only run on their higher speed setting for precise intervals and also ensure that they return to their lowest, filtration, setting within a 24-hr period.  This eliminates the potential for the swimming pool pump to be inadvertently left on its highest setting. 

APSP-15 also includes efficiency standards for swimming pool heaters and the plumbing around the swimming pool pump.  The plumbing must meet an efficient flow rate on both the suction and return sides of the pump.  This is achieved with a larger minimum pipe size.  Regarding the  swimming pool heaters, Aqua reports,    

 …they (swimming pool heaters) have to have a readily accessible on-off switch mounted on the outside of the heater that allows the heater to be turned on and off without adjusting the thermostat setting.  This is a rather brilliant idea that prevents waste through monkeying with the thermostat in a vain effort to make the pool heat more rapidly.

The efficiency standards found in APSP-15 should come into place within the next year.  Initially, this may result in higher pricing for pool equipment but will afford pool owners great savings in the long run relating to energy consumption.

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Orlando Pool Pump Repair

December 27, 2009 — PeteThePoolGuy


For a majority of pool pump repairs we do near Orlando, replacing the motor is needed. Many people are confused with the terms pump & motor. To explain this, I typically make an analogy to a car. Think of your whole car as the pump and the engine of the car as the motor of the pump. So by changing the motor of your pump it would be like changing the engine of your car. You keep the same body and change the “working” part of your pump. We call this a pump overhaul.

To perform a pump overhaul we use a BRAND NEW MOTOR and something called a Go-Kit which has all the new seals, gaskets and o-rings for your make & model pump. This replaces all the vital rubber components that may crack and break down over time. For most pumps the go-kit includes a shaft seal, housing gasket, diffuser o-ring, and trap o-ring. The plastic composite pump housing and basket stay the same. The charge for the go-kit is a little less than $40.

Many other pool companies only change the shaft seal and motor when they do a motor repair. They get your business by giving you a low quote for only replacing the motor and shaft seal. It may cost you a little less at the time of the repair but this can cause a service call on another internal gasket breaking down shortly thereafter. In the long run you are much better off replacing all of these low cost gaskets while the pump is open at the time of motor replacement. How horrible is it to be charged for a return service call only for a $5-$15 part that could have been replaced when they had the motor open?Make sure and compare apples to apples when you get quotes for motor replacements. Ask what is included in the price of the repair.

Click on the pictures above once for a description and twice for higher resolution.

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Pool Pumps Orlando – Capacitor

September 16, 2009 — PeteThePoolGuy

Did your motor just suddenly stop working? It could be just a simple blown capacitor.

Instead of testing the capacitors, many Orlando pool companies just tell their customers that the motor needs to be replaced. They just do not have the knowledge of testing for these electrical components. This is especially true for pool cleaning companies that do not have a license to repair equipment. In my opinion the state of Florida falls short on testing for motor repairing. In all my 17 years in the pool business I have yet to be asked a question on capacitors. Some of the wholesalers in Orlando don’t even stock capacitors which lead me to believe that other pool companies aren’t checking this essential motor component.

When calling, ask to have your motor fully tested with an electronic meter. When you are talking about a $40 capacitor vs. a $250 motor, that’s a pretty big deal.

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Orlando Swimming Pool Pump Repair

September 15, 2009 — PeteThePoolGuy

Do you have a noisy swimming pool pump? If your pump sounds like this you have bearings that are worn.  This is usually the cause of water leaking from the shaft seal and getting into the motor to rust out the bearings.

Always get leaks fixed ASAP. Shut down your pump until the necessary repairs can be made by a qualified technician.

Many pool companies do not change bearings on swimming pool pumps.  They simply tell you your motor is shot and sell you a new motor.  In many cases this is the best solution but in some cases you can save two thirds the cost by changing your bearings and seals.  To give you an example, the average motor repair on a 1 horsepower motor is a little under $340 and bearings replacement is $95 installed.

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