Author: Tony Carrick | Published on October 30, 2020 at 9:00 AM

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The backyard swimming pool can be a great asset in your home, with family and friends swimming, paddling and epic Marco Polo rounds. But if there is no suitable pump, the underground swimming pool may become a maintenance problem. The pump is installed in an inconspicuous area of ​​your yard. It can circulate chemicals in the water while filtering out impurities, keeping your swimming pool sparkling and clean. With a high-quality pump, you can spend less time taking care of your swimming pool and more time to enjoy it.

The best pool pumps can effectively clean the entire pool multiple times within 24 hours without constant attention. If you are replacing an older model (the service life of a swimming pool pump is 8 to 12 years) or are buying a pump with a brand new swimming pool, please continue reading to understand the features to consider and find out the reasons for the pool pump. The following are the most popular on the market Better.

When buying an underground swimming pool pump, you have three options: single speed, double speed and variable speed. The single-speed model is the cheapest, but the lowest efficiency, while the two-speed and variable-speed models are more expensive in the early stage, but can save energy costs.

A single-speed pump has only one speed, so the speed at which it pumps and pumps water from your swimming pool is fixed. You cannot increase the speed to increase the cleaning capacity or reduce the speed to make the pump more energy efficient. A single-speed pump is suitable to run for about 8 hours a day, during which time it should be able to turn the entire pool at least once.

The two-speed pump provides two different power settings, providing you with two speed options to allow your pool to circulate water. This allows you to advance at a higher speed when the pool is used frequently and requires more filtration, or at an effective low speed when there is little activity. Two-speed pumps are more expensive than single-speed pumps, but can save 50% to 70% of energy costs.

Variable speed pumps give you full control of its circulation speed, allowing you to make fine adjustments for optimal cleanliness or energy efficiency. These pumps include programmable displays that allow you to change the pump speed throughout the day.

Although these pumps are the most expensive of the three types, the ability to change speed can save you 80% or more in energy costs in the long run. Variable speed pumps can run 24 hours a day at a speed lower than a single-speed pump, and can provide approximately twice the amount of water under the same energy usage.

When buying a new swimming pool pump, it is important to consider several factors, including pool size, material, horsepower, and filter compatibility.

The pool owner must calculate the minimum flow rate of the pump in order to purchase the right size pump for the pool. The flow rate uses metric gallons per minute to determine the number of times the pump can filter the entire contents of the tank per day. This is called the number of turnovers. The pump should be large enough to turn the pool at least once a day, but it is best to use it twice.

To determine how powerful a pump you need, you can use online pool pump calculators provided by some manufacturer and retailer sites, or you can calculate it yourself. First divide the pool capacity by 24. This will tell you how many gallons per hour the pump needs to circulate once in a day.

For example, a pool of 10,000 gallons of water needs to pump approximately 1,250 gallons of water per hour to complete a turnover in 8 hours. To find the rate per minute, divide this number by 60. For a 10,000 gallon pool, the pump needs a flow rate of approximately 21 gallons per minute to achieve a cycle every 8 hours.

Keep in mind that if you are using a single-speed pump, you may want to run it for only about 8 hours a day to avoid excessive energy costs. Therefore, if you want to flip the water in a pool twice, a single-speed pump for a 10,000-gallon pool requires a flow rate of 42 gallons per minute or approximately 2,500 gallons per hour.

Given that swimming pool pumps must run for 8 hours or more a day to perform their duties, they need to be robust and durable. Most swimming pool pumps are equipped with durable stainless steel motors with built-in fans to keep them running at a cool temperature. The pump casing should be made of high-grade plastic, which can withstand the irritating chemicals in the chlorine pool and salt water pool.

Most manufacturers do not advertise the power of their pumps in gallons per minute (or per hour), because the flow rate depends on factors other than the pump itself, such as pipe size, pipe fittings, filters, and even the altitude of the pump. The relationship of the pool. All these elements create resistance, which reduces the flow rate of the pump; this is called head resistance.

The average head resistance of most swimming pools is about 40 feet. A 1-horsepower swimming pool pump capable of moving 100 gallons per minute can only move about half of it with 40 feet of head resistance.

With this in mind, a 0.5-horsepower pump with a head resistance of 40 feet is suitable for small pools of up to 11,000 gallons. The 1 horsepower pump with the same resistance is suitable for pools up to 26,000 gallons, while the 1.5 horsepower pump is suitable for large pools up to 30,000 gallons. A huge 2 horsepower pump can clean up to 46,000 gallons of pools.

If your system is equipped with a pump that is more than 40 feet away from the pool, or is located a few feet lower than the pool, your pool may have higher heat resistance. In this case, it makes sense to hire a professional to help you calculate the pump size required by the swimming pool.

Swimming pool pumps use 115 volts or 230 volts, and most pumps under 2 horsepower can be used. Most household appliances use a 115-volt power supply, while larger appliances, such as electric stoves and clothes dryers, require a 230-volt power supply.

Make sure to check the power requirements of the pump you are buying. Switching between an old pump connected to a 115 volt power supply and a pump using a 230 volt power supply (and vice versa) is more complicated than installing a new pump that uses the same power supply as the old pump.

Some pool pumps can be plugged into a standard 115-volt outlet, but most are hard-wired into your home's electrical system. Please note that if you use plug-ins for pool pumps, the sockets you use must have GFCI protection to prevent electric shock. If it is within 10 feet of the swimming pool, it should also be a twist-lock plug to prevent it from being pulled out and exposing the socket to potential splashes.

There are three types of filters for underground swimming pools: sand, cartridge filters and DE (diatomaceous earth). Although most pumps are suitable for all filter types, please check compatibility before purchasing a pump. Each filter also has a maximum flow rate based on the filter type and size. Never run the pump at a speed higher than the maximum flow rate of the filter, otherwise the filter may be damaged.

Swimming pool pumps vary greatly in terms of energy efficiency. Although it is cheaper to buy a single-speed pump, a variable-speed pump will ultimately save you energy. The variable speed pump is programmable, so you can set it to run at a slower, more efficient speed during downtime when the swimming pool is not used and does not require cleaning.

It may be tempting to buy a 1.5-horsepower pump, which is far beyond the needs of your swimming pool. However, you will pay more for energy costs than using a smaller pump that is more suitable for the size of your swimming pool.

When you are trying to relax by the pool, the noisy water pump can be annoying. The swimming pool pump runs between 65 and 90 decibels, which is the difference between two people chatting and a hair dryer. Most newer pumps are designed to run quietly at the low end of this range. A pump equipped with a fully enclosed motor provides the quietest operation, with a decibel level in the 40s—about the same as the noise level of a refrigerator.

Maintaining your pool pump is part of regular pool maintenance. When the pump sucks in water, the basket filters out the hair, lint, and other debris that is leaking from the poolside skimmer. The filter must be cleaned regularly, but some pumps include a large basket to extend the cleaning interval. After vacuuming the pool, you also need to clean the pump basket.

The pump needs air circulation to prevent the motor from overheating, so never cover the pump or plant trees or shrubs near it. If the pump motors have air inlets, make sure they are free of any debris. During the off season when the pump is off, cover the pump and motor to prevent debris from accumulating on it.

In front are pool pumps from the most respected manufacturers in the residential swimming pool industry, and they are all considered the best. These selections have been compiled taking into account all the factors detailed above.

If you want a trustworthy swimming pool pump, please consider the high-quality structure and function of this Hayward model. The power of its 1.5 horsepower motor is enough to handle a large swimming pool, and because of the design that allows air to flow through the motor, it can operate at a lower temperature, thereby extending the pump's life.

A large strainer basket of 110 cubic inches allows the pump to contain a large amount of debris without affecting its pumping capacity. The transparent cover allows you to evaluate the basket without removing it, and the handle allows the cover to be easily removed. The pump is available as a single-speed or more efficient two-speed model, with 115 and 230 volt power supplies.

Replacing an old swimming pool pump on an underground swimming pool is not necessarily a huge investment. This model from Blue Torrent has a powerful 1-horsepower motor and is half the price of other underground swimming pool pumps. The self-priming function can easily start the pump while ensuring that it does not dry out.

The skimmer basket has a transparent lid to easily monitor the amount of debris collected by the pump. Simple unscrewed cover plate can realize quick maintenance. Blue Torrent pumps are conveniently available in 1.5 inch and 2 inch port sizes to suit various systems. The pump uses a 115 volt power supply and is used in conjunction with a DE pump, sand filter pump or cartridge filter.

Hayward's powerful 1-horsepower single-speed swimming pool pump is capable of pumping up to 4,200 gallons of water per hour at a resistance of 40 feet, making it suitable for handling underground swimming pools up to 33,000 gallons. Although this model does not have the Energy Star rating of the Hayward two-speed model, it still uses the brand's hydraulic technology to improve efficiency.

The transparent top on the filter basket allows the user to see when the filter basket needs to be emptied without opening it. The inlet and outlet port sizes are 1.5 and 2 inches. The pump uses a 115 volt power supply. Hayward is known for its durability, which is reflected in this model, the aluminum housing on the motor and the high-grade durable plastic that makes up the pump. The pump is used in conjunction with DE and sand filter.

XtremepowerUS offers the efficiency of multi-speed pumps without the high purchase price of variable-speed models. The pump can run at low speed or high speed, which can save up to 70% of the cost compared with a single speed pump. It has a powerful 2 horsepower motor that can handle large pools with a flow rate of up to 5,280 gallons per hour. The ventilation motor keeps the pump running quietly.

The easy-to-install electrical connections make replacing old equipment a relatively simple DIY task. The pump also has an easy-to-use filter that can be disassembled and reinstalled with only a quarter turn. A large debris basket means longer time between pump cleanings, and the filter cover is transparent, so you can see how much debris is collected before opening it. It requires a 230 volt power supply and uses a 2-inch accessory.

Although you may pay more upfront for this variable speed swimming pool pump, you will see that the money is returned to you in an energy-efficient way. This Hayward model uses an efficient magnet enclosed fan to cool the motor. It has a programmable digital control function that allows you to optimize speed settings for eight different times of the day, thereby saving energy when you are not using the pool.

Speed ​​ranges from 153 watts at 1,750 revolutions per minute (rpm) all the way to 880 watts at full speed at 3,450 rpm. It is also compatible with automation systems such as Hayward, Pentair and Zodiac, enabling it to operate independently.

If set up correctly, the pump can save you up to 80% of operating costs. The pump outputs 1.65 horsepower, which is enough to handle large pools, and its hydraulic design runs quieter than similarly sized pumps. It has 1.5 inch and 2 inch accessories and requires 230 volt power supply.

This powerful single-speed 1 horsepower underground swimming pool pump is compatible with various electronic chlorine generation systems that convert salt into chlorine, making it ideal for saltwater underground swimming pools. It can pump 4,200 gallons per hour, making it ideal for pools of up to 33,000 gallons.

Like Hayward's other models, this pump has a sturdy structure, with a metal anti-corrosion housing on the motor, and the pump is made of thick, high-grade plastic.

A transparent filter cover makes it easy to see when the debris basket needs to be replaced. Also, when it needs to be emptied, the lid will rotate a quarter of a turn for quick cleaning. There is a convenient plug at the bottom of the pump for easy draining and maintenance. The pump uses a 115 volt power supply.

With its thick shell, Pentair SuperFlo is not only one of the most durable pool pumps on the market; it is also one of the quietest. This is partly due to its structure, but also due to its low noise TEFC motor. In addition to being one of the quietest pumps on the market, it is also one of the most energy-efficient pumps, thanks to its design to move water more efficiently at lower speeds.

This high-performance pump has advanced controls, including a digital display that allows users to control on/off time and three speed settings. The transparent lid on the skimmer basket makes it easy to monitor the amount of debris in the pump. The pump requires 115 volt or 230 volt power supply.

According to speed, horsepower, voltage, ease of installation, energy efficiency and noise level, Hayward Super Pump Pool Pump is our first choice for the best pool pump.

The pool pump filters impurities in the pool while circulating chemicals in the water. The best pool pump will work hard, so you can spend more time enjoying the pool and less time taking care of it. In order to determine the best pool pump, we focus on life, variable speed, pool size (so that the pump can filter every 8 hours), durability, materials, voltage, horsepower, wiring, filter compatibility, noise level, and energy efficiency. Many of our preferred products have filter baskets with transparent lids to make monitoring easier.

If you are shocked by the gurgling noise of the pump, or want to know how to start the pump, please continue to read the answers to these questions and other common pool pump questions.

If the pump is not full of water, you may need to start the pump. Priming is the process of removing air from the pump and its suction line to allow water to flow through. Most pumps are self-priming; however, if your pump is not filled with water, you must manually start the pump to fill it with water (see below). If there is no water in your pump, it may mean that the water level in the pool is too low and the pump cannot suck in water.

Filling the swimming pool pump with water is a relatively simple process:

If your swimming pool pump makes a rattling noise, it is likely that air has entered the pump, possibly from the suction side. First, check the water level of the pool. If the water level is low, the pump may draw in air instead of water. In addition, check the baffle on the pool skimmer to make sure it is not stuck to prevent water from entering the pump inlet. If both areas are checked, the pump cover may have cracks or dry O-rings and you need to replace them.

If air enters the swimming pool pump, it will lose its suction, making it impossible to draw water into the pump. It also ejects air into the pool, causing bubbles and gurgling sounds.

It depends on the type of pump you have. The operating time of a single-speed pump should not exceed 8 hours per day to avoid high energy costs. With this in mind, it is important to purchase a pump that can circulate all the water in the pool twice during this time. Two-speed or variable-speed pumps can run longer at lower speeds.

Replacing a swimming pool pump can be a DIY job. Many swimming pool pumps can be easily fitted into the holes formed by the old pump. However, please check the warranty before replacement, because many major pump manufacturers will not honor their warranty unless the pump is installed by a certified professional.

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