The pool pump is the heart of your pool system. The pump is responsible for circulating water through your system by drawing in water from the pool (through the drains, skimmers, or suction-side vacuum), pushing that water through your pool filter, heater, chlorinator, and then ultimately back into your pool clean and refreshed. The circulation of water created by the pump is also responsible for evenly dispersing chemicals throughout your water to ensure that your chemical treatments are actually effective in sanitizing the water.
Without a properly functioning pump, you would have stagnant, unsanitary, and algae-infested water in no time. That’s why it’s important to address any pool pump problems as soon as the arise. Our team of experienced repair technicians stand by ready to repair or replace a broken pump and to keep your system running in top shape.
We are dealers of all major brands, including Pentair, Hayward, Jandy, and more. We keep inventory of the most commonly used parts and equipment to make sure that we can assist our customers in case of emergency. Our deep relationships with these manufacturers allow us to offer the most competitive prices and source the equipment or parts that you need within a day or two (if we don’t already have it in stock).
When it comes to pool pumps, the most common question we are asked is: what’s the difference between a single speed and variable speed pool pump? Before discussing the differences, let’s first address the similarities. Both a single speed and a variable speed pump will be capable of circulating water (i.e., pulling water from your pool, pushing it through your filtration system, chlorinator, and heater, and then finally returning that water back into your pool). Now that we know these two types of pumps perform these basic functions, we can dive into the differences between them.
The main difference between a single speed pump and variable speed pump actually lies within the names! A single speed pump operates at only a single speed, and thus a single wattage. Usually that speed is the maximum level that the single speed pump is capable of performing at. A variable speed pump, on the other hand, is capable of operating at various speeds, and various wattages. The primary benefit of having several speed options comes down to efficiency and energy savings. Typically, a variable speed pump will be 2 to 3times more efficient, meaning that, if you run your variable speed pump for the same amount of time as you run your single speed pump, you should be saving 60%to 70% on the cost of your electricity. Did you know that a single speed pump consumes more energy than nearly every other device in your home, second only to your air conditioning?
Single speed pumps operate at one speed and one consistent wattage. Meaning the entire time it is on, it is running at maximum power usage. The user does not have the flexibility to run at lower speeds to conserve electricity. Single speed pumps, all else being equal, also take a longer amount of time to circulate water than their variable speed counterparts. Lastly, single speed pumps usually don’t have any sort of automatic shut off. If for some reason there’s a break or clog in your piping that would prevent water from entering the pump, the pump would not know to shut off. Because pool pumps rely on the pools water to cool themselves, running dry air through your pump for a long period of time would likely result in significant damage to your pumps motor. For all of these reasons, single speed pumps are becoming less common, and some states, such as California, no longer allow them to be installed as a pool pump!
A variable speed pump has the ability to operate as many different speeds, and many different wattages. Each speed correlates to a different level of energy consumption. For example, running your pump at a highspeed would consume a high amount of power, while running at a lower speed would consume less power. This flexibility allows pool owners to circulate the same amount of water at lower speeds throughout the day and save 60% to 70% on the cost of running their pool pump. Variable speed pumps also have automatic shut off and other safety features, making them a safer choice for your home. Variable speed pumps are the future of pool circulation. If you haven’t yet upgraded to a variable speed pump, you might want to consider it.
When most people think about a pool pump, they think of the main pump that circulates water throughout the system. But did you know that there are other applications for pool pumps as well? In fact, many systems have 2 to 3 pumps. Let’s explore what other pool applications pumps are commonly used for.
This is the most obvious, and most common application. Every pool has a primary pump. This pump is responsible for circulating water through your filtration, heating, and chlorinating systems to keep your pool sanitary. This type of pump is also responsible for the function of your auto vacuum. Without this pump, your pool would not be a pool, it would be a swamp!
If you have a spa, you might have a jet pump. Jet pumps are substantially the same as a primary pool pump, but serve a different function. Jet pumps only pull water from the spa, and return water only through the spa jets. While there are several advantages of having a variable speed pump as your primary pool pump, many pool owners opt for a single speed jet pump because it’s not used often, and when it is used, they want it to operate at maximum speeds.
Similar to a jet pump, auxiliary pumps serve a unique function for your pool. Most commonly, an auxiliary pump would be used for water features, such as slides, fountains, and waterfalls. An auxiliary pump simply pulls water from your pool and pushes that water back through the water feature. Often times, a single auxiliary pump can be used to operate several water features.
Our team of in-house technicians is licensed, trained, insured, and ready to be of service. We have decades of experience in all types of major and minor repairs for both residential and commercial pools, including pool filters, pool heaters, pool lights, pool automation, pool timers, pool filters, pool pumps, pool plumbing, pool valves, pool skimmers, pool drains, in-floor cleaners, pool vacuums, pool safety devices and more. We work directly with all major manufacturers (Jandy, Hayward, Pentair, Zodiac, and more) to ensure we can offer the best pricing possible.
We believe in transparency and good, old-fashioned communication. From scheduling a service call to a completed repair, you won’t have to wonder what’s going on, how much the repair might cost, or when it will be finished.
As one of the premier pool repair companies in San Diego, we stand behind the quality of our work. If we make a mistake, we will be back to fix it immediately and at no additional cost to you.
