NEW! Swimming pool pumps added to the Appliances and Equipment energy standard of Arizona.
What is Title 44?
Arizona Legislature recently passed Title 44 and included it into the Appliance and Equipment Energy-Efficiency Standards of the Arizona Revised Statutes. Within Title 44, there are new efficiency standards for residential pool pumps, pool pump motors and portable electric spas, which went into effect on January 1, 2012. The law applies to pump/motors that circulate and filter water for the swimming pool. Stand alone water feature pumps and stand alone pumps running floor head cleaning systems are exempt.
What is Title 44?
Arizona Legislature recently passed Title 44 and included it into the Appliance and Equipment Energy-Efficiency Standards of the Arizona Revised Statutes. Within Title 44, there are new efficiency standards for residential pool pumps, pool pump motors and portable electric spas, which went into effect on January 1, 2012. The law applies to pump/motors that circulate and filter water for the swimming pool. Stand alone water feature pumps and stand alone pumps running floor head cleaning systems are exempt.
What does this mean for pool owners? While it does not affect any pump currently installed on an in-ground residential pool, any newly installed pump that is 1 horsepower or greater must have at least a two speed motor, or a variable speed motor. In the case of a motor replacement by itself, if the existing pump is still in good shape, there are options for two speed motors available, which will save you money by not having to replace the whole pump. If the motor has its own digital controller, which the one I install does, you would not need to purchase a new time clock that can control a second speed. The majority of multi-speed motors are made the conventional way, and only offer a high and low speed.
Many companies now offer a pump with a two speed motor, which requires a new digital time clock to be installed, that can control two speeds. However, the savings really come when you upgrade to a variable speed motor [available with variable speed pumps]. The variable speed motors are brushless motors, that use magnetism to spin the shaft and can be set to run at speeds between 600 RPM and 3450 RPM. Variable speed settings give you the flexibility to choose a high and low speed that is appropriate specifically for your size pool, and the type of cleaning system that you have, maximizing energy savings.
Two speed motors and pumps are the minimum standard to be in compliance with the Title 44 law, but for the greatest efficiency and a longer warranty [3 years on a variable speed pump], it is highly recommend that you upgrade to a variable-speed pump. Variable speed pumps are much quieter and give pool owners greater flexibility, all while using up to 80% less energy than a conventional single-speed pump when properly calibrated. The payback time is usually less than two years for the difference you pay up front, between the variable speed pumps and the two speed pumps with a new two speed time clock installed.
Many companies now offer a pump with a two speed motor, which requires a new digital time clock to be installed, that can control two speeds. However, the savings really come when you upgrade to a variable speed motor [available with variable speed pumps]. The variable speed motors are brushless motors, that use magnetism to spin the shaft and can be set to run at speeds between 600 RPM and 3450 RPM. Variable speed settings give you the flexibility to choose a high and low speed that is appropriate specifically for your size pool, and the type of cleaning system that you have, maximizing energy savings.
Two speed motors and pumps are the minimum standard to be in compliance with the Title 44 law, but for the greatest efficiency and a longer warranty [3 years on a variable speed pump], it is highly recommend that you upgrade to a variable-speed pump. Variable speed pumps are much quieter and give pool owners greater flexibility, all while using up to 80% less energy than a conventional single-speed pump when properly calibrated. The payback time is usually less than two years for the difference you pay up front, between the variable speed pumps and the two speed pumps with a new two speed time clock installed.
How can I save money and energy by upgrading my pool pump? Variable-speed pool pumps have the ability to operate at a variety of speeds. I will determine the volume of water in your pool and the amount of water that must be filtered each day. The pump can be set to run at very low speeds, appropriate for your pool specifically, which in turn will conserve energy. Higher speeds can be used for shorter periods of time to run floor heads and bottom cleaners. By filtering the water slowly, over a longer period of time per day, you can save well over 30% on your current monthly pool electricity cost.
Hayward's easy to use Energy Solutions Calculator can help you determine your estimated savings.
Why does slowing down the water save on pumping costs? When using the low-speed mode of a variable-speed pump, the water moves slower and thereby reduces the friction in the system. Reduced friction decreases the back pressure and as a result, the pumps motor does not work as hard, which means less energy is used. With less friction and back pressure, it takes only a small amount of energy to keep the water moving through the pipes after the pump has been started.
What is the benefit of brush-less motor technology on the new variable speed pumps and multi-speed motors? Brushless motors are more efficient and require less power to run them. Magnetic motors run much quieter, as there is little to no electrical noise. The new magnetic motors have no brushes to wear out over time, or create excessive heat from friction. As a result, variable speed pumps last longer and run much cooler.
Hayward's easy to use Energy Solutions Calculator can help you determine your estimated savings.
Why does slowing down the water save on pumping costs? When using the low-speed mode of a variable-speed pump, the water moves slower and thereby reduces the friction in the system. Reduced friction decreases the back pressure and as a result, the pumps motor does not work as hard, which means less energy is used. With less friction and back pressure, it takes only a small amount of energy to keep the water moving through the pipes after the pump has been started.
What is the benefit of brush-less motor technology on the new variable speed pumps and multi-speed motors? Brushless motors are more efficient and require less power to run them. Magnetic motors run much quieter, as there is little to no electrical noise. The new magnetic motors have no brushes to wear out over time, or create excessive heat from friction. As a result, variable speed pumps last longer and run much cooler.
 | Jason the Pool Guy is Certified by SRP to do calibrations and properly install Title 44 compliant equipment. See a full list of vendors including Jason the Pool Guy at SRP. |
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