Selecting the right-sized pool pump
The pump is the heart of your swimming pool’s filtration system; without it, your pool would lose its sparkle and soon turn green. Choosing the right pool pump to keep the sparkle will also ensure that you experience fewer problems, more efficient energy use and lower running costs — not to mention better pool water clarity.
Whether you’re after a pump for a new pool or a replacement pump for an existing pool, there is a range of energy-efficient models from which to choose. Many incorporate the latest technology to deliver the right combination of performance and energy savings.
What type of pump?
The first step in choosing such a pump is to determine the volume of your pool. Match the figure to a pump which will, ideally, pump all the water in the pool in six to eight hours.
It is best for a pool expert to assist with the decision-making process involved in choosing a pump. Ask the experts to assess your pool configuration and plumbing to work out the hydraulics and select the most appropriate pump in terms of performance and energy efficiency.
The experts will take into consideration the size of the pool, its volume of water, as well as roles of ancillary equipment such as in-floor cleaning systems, pressure pool cleaners and water features. They will also consider the distance from pool to pump, note pipework characteristics and factor in the presence and requirements of a suction cleaner.
Domestic pumps
Your choices will include a variety of domestic pumps that can be used in applications ranging from spas to above-ground pools and large domestic in-ground pools. Some domestic pump models are only suitable for smaller-sized swimming pools, so check with the experts before purchasing and installing any pump system.
Most domestic pumps are used for the purpose of recirculation, drawing water from the pool and pumping water through the filter. It is the filtration pump that normally operates the longest hours, with the average domestic pool pump running for around six to eight hours a day.
Domestic pumps can be used in conjunction with pool ancillaries such as heating, in-floor cleaning and water features.
Ancillary pumps
Ancillary pumps are used for purposes other than filtration. An ancillary pump could be a dedicated pump for solar heating, whether integrated (drawing water from the filtration circuit) or independently plumbed (drawing water directly from the pool and returning heated water to the pool on a separate circuit). Other examples of ancillary pump applications include water features, dedicated pumps for swim jets, in-floor cleaners or pressure pool cleaners.
Energy-saving pumps
Unlike conventional pool pumps, which are limited to one set speed, energy-saving pumps have multiple speed settings which enable the pump to be more efficient in its energy usage. Also known as multiple or variable-speed pumps, they can be set to different speeds according to how quickly you would like to pump water through the filter, saving energy and reducing running costs.
You can operate a variable-speed pump on its low-speed setting for a majority of its running time, leading to significant energy savings. High speed may only be required for backwashing a sand filter and pool maintenance activities such as vacuuming.
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