Variable Speed Pool Pump Buying Guide

Welcome to our definitive guide to buying a variable-speed pool pump. We know that it can be confusing when trying to choose the right variable speed pool pump, which is why we've rounded up some of the best pool pumps available today and explained the features in plain language.

Nothing beats jumping into the pool for the first time after a long, cold winter. From that day on, it becomes the focal point of your life for the rest of the year. Playing with the kids, relaxing under the stars, and throwing pool parties are just some of the activities you can enjoy. Unfortunately, like everything else in the world, your enjoyment comes at a price, and with pools, it's a heavy price.

Not only are we talking about the money you're going to spend to keep it up and running, but the fact that you have to maintain it is enough to make you question why you have a pool in the first place. One of the things you have to keep running smoothly is your pool pump, but now you may need to replace your old pump. Choosing a variable-speed pool pump is a decision you will never regret, but let's see what your options are first.

Variable-speed pool pumps may be talked about, but there are also single-speed and two-speed pumps available. If you haven't upgraded yours in a long time, you probably only have a single-speed pump running right now. Before we detail some of the benefits you'll get after switching to a variable-speed model, let's take a deep dive and understand how each model works.

It's what interests you, and you'll know you've made the right choice even before we get to the full list of benefits. Without getting into the technical details enough to blow your mind, they use a permanent magnet motor instead of an induction one, and the motor is told how much torque it should have at any given speed. This means it doesn't need to run at a constant speed, it can actually run at various speeds, hence the name. Wait until you find out how much it can save you.

You will be able to steer your variable-speed pool pump until it works at the precise speed you need to achieve the desired flow rate in your pool. It would be better if you could slow it down as much as possible, now you can easily depend on the specific pump you are using. If you're wondering how advanced this technology is compared to single-speed motors, they're using permanent magnet motors in premium EVs rolling off the assembly line right now.

By now you should understand how each pool pump works, but that's only a small part of the story. The fact that a variable-speed pool pump can run at multiple speeds doesn't make a lot of sense unless it can be backed up by a lot of benefits, and you're lucky because there's a lot of good stuff. Once you've done all of this, you'll finally realize that you need a variable-speed pool pump, and we'll now discuss some of the best ones on the market. But first, let's take a closer look at all the major benefits and how they will change your life.

Interestingly, a variable-speed pool pump will cost more money, but you will save a lot of money in a few years. They say the average person can be up to 90 percent more efficient, a conclusion drawn over the course of many studies. Not only can you change how fast they run, but small things like the temperature they run at can add up to how much money you can save in a year. Figure out what 90% of $2000 is, because at the end of the year you can use it to buy Christmas gifts.

A huge flaw with this motor, although it is basic and cheap, it runs at a constant speed. Any old motor running at a constant speed will cost you a lot of money, and you can't turn it off when you're using the pool. We'll get into the cost in detail later, but you might be wondering that it's probably the king of appliances that cost the most each year. This will definitely surprise your wallet.

We don't need to spend too much time talking about a two-speed pool pump because it's pretty much the same as a single-speed pump. It still runs with an inefficient induction motor but is at least slightly more advanced. If you can't tell by looking at its name, it's capable of running at two different speeds. One speed will save you money compared to its ancient cousin, and the other will drain money from your bank account faster than you can replace it.

The average variable speed pool pump runs at about 600 to 3500RPM. It's much quieter even when you're running at full speed. For the most part, you'll never run it near full speed, and when it's at its lowest speed, you'll have a hard time hearing it unless you're very close. They also vibrate a lot less than the old single-speed motor, which not only helps it last longer but also affects the noise it makes. When something vibrates so violently that it looks like it's about to jump off the ground, it's hard to keep quiet.

One thing you will find in all variable-speed pool pumps is the fully enclosed fan cooling design. The reason it is able to completely cover the motor inside the pump is the permanent magnet technology that runs it. TEFC is some interesting stuff you might want to know before buying a variable-speed pump, but when it comes to benefits, it touches on the points we've already looked at. The enclosed motor helps reduce noise and also prolongs the life of the pump by keeping things out of the pump.

If you are just running the filtration system to achieve minimum water flow, you may need to run the pump at 1000 RPM. A vacuum cleaner and heater can boost this to around 2500 RPM, and running a spa is much higher. Doing all this manually would take a lot of time, but a variable-speed pool pump can be controlled digitally. You may have many different predetermined speeds and timers to choose from, and if you're really lucky, your pump may be so advanced that it changes speed on its own.

A basic single-speed pool pump not only runs at a constant speed, but it will also keep running until you shut it off or something bad happens. The latter doesn't happen often on shifting models, as they have advanced diagnostics built in to keep an eye on things. It knows instantly if your pump is too cold, too hot, or has a voltage problem. Some of the better variable speed pumps will also focus on other things, they will be able to shut themselves off.

We've only discussed the general benefits of variable-speed pool pumps, but as you know, not all are created equal. While they all work the same way, they have subtle differences, so we'll take a look at some of the best ones on the market right now. If you are looking for a variable-speed pool pump, please contact us.

As a custom pool equipment manufacturer, MAYGO POOL has more than 30 years of professional experience, providing professional solutions for residential and commercial swimming pools, spas, and fountains. Our products include pool pumps, sand filters, cartridge filters, filtration systems and pool accessories. The product is constantly updated and iterative, with more functions and options, ensuring you have a better experience.