If your aquatic facility wasn't built recently, chances are your pump room could use an upgrade. Strategic upgrades will improve the "feel and smell" of your aquatic environment, while also reducing operating costs. Smart aquatic managers are taking advantage of energy rebates and incentives by evaluating the pump room as a whole so every component runs with greater synergy. By upgrading to energy-efficient, technologically advanced equipment, facility managers can reduce costs and provide a safer and healthier environment.
VSPs & VFDs
Older pool pumps only operate at one or two speeds and as a result draw more energy than is required to circulate water. These units must constantly operate at high speed in order to perform the pump's most demanding jobs (e.g., running a waterfall or pool cleaner). However, it takes far less power to simply keep the pool water filtered.
Newer, variable speed pumps (VSPs) differ in their ability to be programmed to operate at set speeds to deliver the correct flow rate for each task they perform. This enables an aquatic facility to reduce energy consumption and increase savings. These pumps can also be programmed to achieve turnover times of exactly six hours, even if the filter is dirty. This allows motor speed, power and energy to be reduced during times when the filters are clean.
Some VSPs even have built-in, constant-flow software, which maximizes the advantages, as it will automatically adjust speed to deliver the required flow rate for each programmed task. This means that as the filter accumulates dirt, the pump will sense resistance in the circulation system and ramp up speed to provide the proper flow rate.
No matter what type of pump is used, slower pump speeds save energy. It also dramatically reduces noise levels, as well as wear and tear on the other pool equipment. And VSPs are eligible for rebates and other incentives provided by local utilities, helping offset their cost.