The filtration pump is undoubtedly one of the most essential elements for maintaining a clean and healthy pool. In addition to filtering and circulating the water to keep it clear, it ensures a constant water cycle, eliminating impurities and suspended particles. However, it is also the most energy-intensive equipment in your pool, consuming a significant amount of electricity throughout the year.
With rising energy prices and growing environmental concerns, it is crucial to seek solutions to limit this consumption. The emergence of variable-speed filtration pumps represents an effective response to these issues, offering both an economical and ecological solution. In this article, we explain why these pumps are a wise investment and why they are set to gradually replace classic models, just as LEDs have supplanted halogen bulbs.
Why choose a variable-speed pump for your pool?
Before delving into the benefits of a variable-speed pump, it's important to understand what it is and how it works. Unlike traditional filtration pumps, which operate at a single constant speed (often at full power), a variable-speed pump allows you to modulate the water flow according to your pool's needs.
Two types of variable-speed pumps exist on the market:
- Multi-speed pumps: These allow you to choose between two or three predefined speeds.
- Inverter or VS (Variable Speed) pumps: Equipped with a permanent magnet motor, these pumps allow for finer speed adjustment, offering greater flexibility in use.
You can therefore choose to run your pump at different speeds depending on the situation:
| Situations | Maximum speed | Minimum speed | Medium speed |
| Restarting after passive winterization | X | ||
| Pool with clear water and no bathers | X | ||
| Intense use during a hot period | X | ||
| During pool cleaning | X | ||
| During the night | X |
At Poolplanet, we have chosen to only reference Inverter or VS pumps because not only will they save you energy, but this new motor technology guarantees a much longer lifespan.
Variable-speed pumps prove to be a strategic choice for several reasons. We will explore in detail the five main advantages of these pumps and how they transform your pool management.
1. Optimized and efficient filtration
Your pool's filtration must adapt to your actual needs. For example, if you don't use your pool every day, there's no need to run the pump at full power continuously. With a variable-speed pump, you can adjust the water flow according to your pool's usage and water condition, thus improving filtration efficiency while reducing energy consumption.
In winter, when the pool is in active winterization, you can, for example, reduce filtration to four hours a day at a lower speed. This not only keeps the water in good condition but also limits energy expenses.
2. Save energy and money
One of the major advantages of a variable-speed pump is its ability to significantly reduce energy consumption. By modulating the filtration speed, you can lower the water flow and thus reduce the power required to operate the pump. This decrease in energy consumption translates into significant savings on your electricity bills.
More specifically, a variable-speed pump consumes up to 80% less energy than a classic pump operating at full power continuously. This impressive figure makes these pumps a smart investment for both your wallet and the planet.
3. Quiet operation for more comfort
Thanks to their advanced technology, variable-speed pumps are also much quieter than their traditional counterparts. At full power, for example, Aquagem pumps emit a noise not exceeding 36.6 decibels at one meter away. This sound level is equivalent to a whisper, making pool use much more pleasant without having to endure the annoying noise of a running pump.
4. Extended lifespan
Although the initial cost of a variable-speed pump is higher than that of a classic pump, this investment quickly pays for itself through energy savings and also a longer lifespan.
The ability to operate the pump at reduced speeds helps reduce motor wear. Since the motor is used less intensively, the pump experiences less mechanical stress and therefore has an extended lifespan. On average, a variable-speed pump can last two to three times longer than a single-speed pump.
5. An ecological gesture for the environment
Reducing energy consumption is not only beneficial for your wallet but also for the environment. By using less electricity, you reduce your pool's carbon footprint. Additionally, by extending the pump's lifespan, you limit the production of electronic waste, as you won't have to replace the pump as often.
The installation of a variable-speed pump is therefore part of a broader ecological approach, aiming to make your pool more responsible and sustainable.
Annual cost simulation: classic pump vs. variable-speed pump
To illustrate potential savings, here is a simulation comparing the annual cost of a classic filtration pump and a variable-speed pump.
For this simulation, let's take the example of a pool with the following characteristics:
- Pool volume: 50 m³
- Swimming season duration: 5 months
- Daily operating time: 8 hours
- Single-speed pump power: 1.5 HP
With a variable-speed pump, the annual electricity cost can be significantly reduced, while maintaining effective filtration adapted to your needs.
| 2022 average kWh price in France: €0.17 |
2023 average kWh price in France: €0.21 |
|
| Annual cost of a classic pump | €271.32 | €335.16 |
| Annual cost of a variable-speed pump | €114.97 | €142.02 |
| Energy savings | 58% | 58% |
*We calculated this using the calculator developed by our partner Pentair. Based on the information provided, Pentair recommends circulating 2.5 times the pool volume in 24 hours, 0.5 hours at medium speed (15m3/h) and the rest at minimum speed (approximately 5m3/h). This calculator is based on a standardized performance curve. Actual pump performance and resulting energy consumption depend on various characteristics of the plumbing system, including, but not limited to, pipe size and length, filter type, fittings, auxiliary equipment, etc.
An alternative to the variable-speed filtration pump: the ISAVER variable speed drive from Aquagem
Are you interested in all these advantages but your filtration pump is recent or new? No panic, we have the solution: the ISAVER from Aquagem.
The ISAVER variable speed drive for filtration pumps is a device compatible with all classic filtration pumps. We offer two models depending on your current pool pump: the 1100 for filtration pumps up to 1.1kW and the 2200 for pumps up to 2.2kW.
With a simple connection, it allows you to transform your single-speed pool pump into a variable-speed pump.
This variable speed drive will not only save you energy through programmable time slots at different speeds directly via its touch screen but also reduce the noise level of your filtration pump.
