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Choosing the Best Swimming Pool Pump
There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding which swimming pool pump to purchase, so we have created a guide to help you select a pump that is best suited to your pool.For more information about how to maintain and equip your pool, you can visit our blog. We also stock a range of chemicals and maintenance equipment in our online store.
Pool pumps are an essential component of a swimming pool. They circulate the water throughout the pool’s filter network, purifying the water by removing suspended contaminants. The pump works by drawing in water from the basin of the pool. It is then pulled through the main drain and skimmers, which are situated on the sides of the pool. The water is taken through a filter to be cleaned and then pumped back into the basin via discharge nozzles. If the equipment is available, the pool water can also be taken through a disinfection system before being flushed through the discharge nozzles and back into the basin.
A pool pump consists of three main components, these are the motor, the impeller and the housing.
The housing is home to the inner working of the pump. The components are either enclosed in the outer casing of the housing or fitted onto it. The motor is situated at the back of the housing, and its sole purpose is to spin the impeller.
The impeller is a fast-spinning, reversed blade that will pull the water in and then push it through the filter.
The strainer is essentially a basket with a lid. The pool water is pulled through the basket where debris is collected, and then the water is taken to the filter.
There are various pool pumps available, so it’s important to recognise what you will need for your swimming pool. If you own a saltwater pool, it’s important to check the pumps you’re browsing are compatible with saltwater. Not all pumps can cope with salt water, so it’s best to double-check before purchasing.
The term ‘phase’ is used to describe the type of electrical supply that will power the pump.
Single-phase pumps run on a single-phase power supply and are commonly used for household properties. In the UK, most properties have a standard 100A single-phase power supply. Single-phase power is 220v to 240v and will use a live wire and a neutral wire.Three-phase pumps are more common among commercial or larger properties. Three-phase power supplies are 380v to 415v and will use three live wires and in some cases, a neutral wire.If you’re unsure about your property’s electrical supply, you may need to ask an electrician to check before ordering a pool pump.There are a few factors that differentiate the two pumps. A single-phase pump:- Will run on a single-phase power supply.- Won’t require a strong torque (rotational speed).- Cannot support more than 5HP motor.- Can be directly connected to the electrical supply system.- Will usually have a shorter life span.A three-phase water pump:- Will need a three-phase power supply.- Can be highly efficient with a high starting torque.- Has a more compact design. - Is more cost-efficient than a single phase pump.- Vibrates less in comparison to a single-phase pump.- Has a longer lifespan.
A heat pump will use electricity to power a fan, as opposed to creating artificial heat. The pump will transfer the heat from outside air to the swimming pool.
The heat pump uses the fan to extract air that has been warmed by the sun. The warmth from the air is absorbed and an extremely hot gas is created, the heat from the gas is then transferred to the pool water.
Although heat pumps are initially more expensive than a gas pump, they are a great long term investment. With regular maintenance, a heat pump will typically have a lower annual operating cost due to its higher efficiencies and longer life span when compared to a gas pump.
Single-speed pumps have one sole purpose, they pump the swimming pool water throughout the pool’s system at one consistent speed. Because of their singular focus, they complete the job effectively and on initial purchase are much cheaper when compared to other types of pumps. However, unlike the pumps listed below single-speed pumps will not recruit long term savings.
Unlike single-speed pumps, a dual-speed pump has two fixed speeds: high and low. The pump requires an automation system that will adjust between the two speeds.
Because of the addition of being able to flip between two speeds, the energy usage will reduce as the pump runs at a slower speed. This feature can save as much as 80% in terms of energy bills.
A variable-speed pump is comparably more expensive than single or dual-speed pumps. However, it is more cost-efficient as a long-term investment.A variable-speed pump uses a permanent magnet motor, similar to an electric car. The motor creates a lot less friction compared to the induction motor that is used on dual and single-speed pumps. The reduced friction increases the efficiency of the motor. The motor will not only consume less power but will also turn over the water much more quickly. The pump can run at a lower RPM and is quieter in comparison.
There’s a lot of factors to consider when purchasing a swimming pool pump. Here we will discuss various qualities to bear in mind when selecting the perfect pump for your pool.
One of the most important factors involved with choosing a suitable pump for your pool is the size of the pool itself. To take this into account, you will need to calculate the flow rate of water circulating the system. This will ensure the pool’s water will be fully cleaned daily. The flow rate is labelled as GPM, gallons per minute. To work out a sufficient flow rate for your pool, you will need to calculate the size of the pool in gallons and then divide it by eight. Eight is the standard amount of hours it should take for a complete cycle of water to circulate the pool’s pump system.
The horsepower of your pump will determine at what speed the pump will pull, clean and return the water to the basin. The higher the horsepower, the faster the job will be completed. The more powerful the pump is, the less often it will need to be on and the less time it will take for the water to circulate, saving energy and money. The turnover rate indicates the specific amount of gallons per minute of water that the pump can filter, also referred to as GPM. As mentioned above, an ideal pump will clean the entire volume of your pool within 8 hours. By using an 8-hour estimate you are ensuring your pool water can be cleaned daily.
When browsing for the perfect pump you will notice two main categories: inground and above ground.
Although these are usually interchangeable, we highly recommend that you choose a pool pump designed specifically for your type of swimming pool.
You’ll either be advised by whoever’s installing your pool, or we recommend sticking with whatever type of pump you had before.
The filter’s intake position will play a vital role in determining your choice of pool pump. You will need to ensure that the housing mount for the potential pump is in the correct position to work with your filter’s intake. As discussed earlier, the pump’s housing is a basket that water will pass through before reaching the filter, because of this, the pump’s housing mount will heavily rely on the filter’s intake position. Depending on the pump, the housing mount will be in either of two positions: - Top mount - Side mountIf the filter’s intake is situated above the pump, this will indicate a top mount is needed. If the filter’s intake position is located next to the pump then this will indicate a side mount.
Electrical systems will vary from pump to pump. Some will run on 110 volts, whereas others will run on 220 volts. Their electrical differences will also entail their wiring. Some pumps will need to be hardwired into your property’s electrical systems, while others can simply be plugged in. It’s important to select a pump that can accommodate your home's system.Water Features
If you’re partial to decorative or therapeutic water features, you can find an assortment of speciality pumps that will accommodate your preference. These can include waterfalls, water jets and bubblers.
Choosing the perfect-sized pump can initially appear quite confusing but this guide will help to simplify the process. Here we will demonstrate what factors to take into account when choosing the right sized pump.
The size of the swimming pool’s filter is directly related to the size of the pump. If a swimming pool filter is too small for the pump, additional strain will be added to the pump which may lead to it having a shorter lifespan. When choosing a pool pump, ensure that the size relates to the pool’s filter and does not exceed the filter’s maximum flow rate. The filter will need to be able to cope with more than the flow rate of the pump. For example, if you have a swimming pool filter with a minimum flow rate of 250 litres per minute, ensure that the pool pump has an output of 250 litres per minute too.
Similar to the pool’s filter, the water volume will also have a direct influence on the size of the prospective pump.
For the pool water to remain clean, the water will need to be filtered at least once a day, this is referred to as the turnover rate. For the turnover rate to be calculated, you will need the measurement of the pool's volume in gallons.
Once you have the pool's volume, it will need to be divided by 8. This will determine the flow rate per hour and ensure the pool’s water can be cleaned in the space of a day.
Pool pumps are measured by GPM, gallons per minute, because of this once the flow rate per hour has been calculated you will then need to divide the flow rate by 60, this will give you the GPM, gallons per minute.
For example, if you have a pool volume of 40,000 gallons you would need to:40,000 gallons / 8 hours = 5,000 (flow rate per hour)(Flow rate per hour) 5,000 / 60 minutes = 83 GPM
Another way to calculate the flow rate is to work out the volume of the pool by using its dimensions.
For example, with a rectangular pool that is 8m by 5m and an average depth of 1.5m the volume would be 60m3 (height x width x depth = volume)
You would then work out the pump flow by dividing the volume by the number of hours you would need it to be completed in, in this case, 8 hours.
50 / 8 = 7.5 which would make the flow of your desired pump 7.5m3/h.
The outlets are where the water circulation will begin. The water is initially pulled through the pool’s outlets in the skimmers before travelling throughout the pipe network.The size of the pump will also depend on the number of outlets, otherwise known as suction points. For the first 10,000 gallons, you should expect to need two outlets. For every 10,000 gallons after, an additional outlet will be required.
We have selected two incredibly popular pool pumps that work for single-phase and three-phase properties.
Malawi’s pool pumps are available for single-phase and three-phase properties. A pre-filter has been incorporated into its design to prevent contaminants from entering and damaging the pump. The body of the pump has been made with the latest thermoplastics. The pump is self-priming and can range from ¾ Hp to 2Hp. The motor of the pump unit is protected with IP-556 protection and it is also adapted to endure hot atmospheres as well as high humidity levels.
The Sta-Rite is one of the most popular pumps across the UK. It is completely self-priming and is available from 0.5Hp-1.5Hp in both single and three-phase versions. The exterior is reinforced with fibreglass to ensure it is corrosion and temperature resistant. It is made from lightweight and strong thermoplastic to ensure it functions effectively during high-pressured operation.Some of the Sta-Rite 5P2R pumps features include:- High-pressure clear screw-on lid- High load impeller- Multiple drain locations - Stainless steel pump clamp
Here, at 1st Direct Pools our stock of Sta-Rite 5P2R pumps range in size from 7m3/hr to 18m3/hr.
For more information about swimming pool accessories and essential equipment, you can visit our store at 1st Direct Pools and speak to our staff. You can also find an array of advice on our blog where we provide regular updates and useful information in regards to poolside maintenance.
