2021 Department of Energy Variable Speed Pump Law Explained

Sep 04, 2020

Welcome to another Fact Friday from ePoolSupply! Every Friday we like to educate our customers with important information regarding their swimming pool and helpful technical tips to make informed decisions to make pool maintenance easier. Today we will be explaining the recent Department of Energy Variable Speed Pool Pump Law for 2021. Let's dive in!

Most Single Speed Pumps Are Now Obsolete

In case you haven't heard, the Department of Energy has announced that by July 19, 2021, all Dedicated Purpose Pool Pumps must meet a minimum energy requirement, otherwise you could be subject to certain penalties and fines. What does that mean for your pool? We're here to break everything down for you.

Energy Consumption

Next to heating and cooling, your pool pump is one of the major appliances running every day for hours at a time, so it makes sense that it should be as energy-efficient as possible. But how efficient is efficient enough? Fortunately, the standards haven't changed for all pumps, but all pumps now fall into two categories; large and small.

Large inground filter pumps are designated as one horsepower or greater, and small inground filter pumps are coming in at one-half or three-quarter horsepower. Currently, variable speed pumps fall into the "Large" category and are also the only pumps that meet the minimum performance requirements based on today's technology. Most single-speed pumps will NOT meet the new requirements. Pressure cleaner booster pumps also have minimum performance requirements.

What are the requirements?

As laid out by the Department of Energy, any pump with an HHP (Hydraulic Horsepower) less than .711 will result in lower WEF (Weighted Energy Factor) requirements. Hydraulic horsepower is the measure of the pump's performance. It is measured by the amount of water your pump can push to and through the pool. Hydraulic Horsepower is NOT equivalent to the motor horsepower. Weighted Energy Factor is a measurement of energy efficiency. Similar to miles per gallon in an automobile, a higher Weighted Energy Factor will result in a more efficient pump. As required by the new law, Weighted Energy Factor must be displayed on the pump.

Why is it Important to Monitor Hydraulic Horsepower?

Lower Hydraulic Horsepower can lead to pool circulation, which will cause poor water clarity, increased wear and tear, more frequent filter cleaning, and a shorter pump lifespan.

Why Choose a Variable Speed Pump?

Higher performance equals improved circulation
More efficient pumps will save you money on energy bills
Running the pump at lower speeds makes for a quiet experience
They're made to last, resulting in less wear and tear (with routine maintenance)

We're here for you!

We know all this can be very confusing, especially for new pool owners. Don't fret, we've got you covered! If you have any questions or concerns regarding the 2021 Department of Energy Pool Pump Laws, please do not hesitate to reach out to us directly. Our team of pool professionals is here to assist you through this transition; click the link below to contact us directly. From all of us here at ePoolSupply, have a great weekend & just keep swimming!