More often than not, swimming pool owners make the mistake of
buying larger pool pumps than they actually require. This leads to high
operating costs and straining on their pool filters because of too much
pressure. They do this because they lack the appropriate information regarding
what to consider before buying them. Some important questions need to be asked
before choosing and buying a swimming pool pump. These are:
1. What size pool pump do I need?
2. How big is my pool?
Factors to consider
1. Size of the pool
The size of the pool directly determines the pump size you need. It is measured in
gallons and can be calculated using the following formula:
Length * Width * Average Depth * Multiplier
The multiplier for round or oval pools is 5.9 while for
rectangular, square or free-form pools is 7.5
The average depth is calculated by summing up the shallow end
depth and deep end depth then diving the sum by two. It is important to note
that all these measurements are in feet.
The resulting value is what determines the pump size you need.
The best practice is to circulate the water through the filters at least three
times daily meaning that the pump should be able to pump all the pool’s water
in 8 hours. Therefore, the size of the pool (in gallons) should be divided by 8
in order to get the flow rate per hour then divided by 60 to get the flow rate
per minute. For instance, a rectangular pool measuring 50 ft by 20 ft with a
deep end depth of 8ft and a shallow end depth of 4ft should have a pump with
the following flow rate
20*10*(8+4)/2*7.5=9000 gallons
9000/8=1125 gallons per hour
1125/60=18.75 gallons per minute (GPM)
This means that you will need a pump with a flow rate of 18.75
GPM.
2. Pump speed
There are three types of pool pumps categorized according to
speed. These are
• Single speed
pumps
This is very common and it runs continuously at one speed
depending on its motor’s horsepower. It is highly inefficient because of
constantly running at one speed (which is usually high speed) while you might
require different speeds to suit your filtration needs or turnover time.
• Dual speed
pumps
Dual speed pumps give you the flexibility of choosing between
high speed and low speed. High speed is used mostly when cleaning the pool or
when there is a major issue while low speed is used on normal times (when the
water is generally clean and requires slower turnover) saving on energy costs.
• Variable speed
pumps
This is the most efficient pool pump because it has a permanent
magnet motor (similar to the ones used in electric cars) which has less
friction as compared to the induction motors on the single and dual speed
pumps. It allows you to set the flow rate at any speed giving you the most
flexibility in cleaning your pool. Though expensive, this is the best type of
pool pump and is recommended for its flexibility and efficiency.
3. Above-ground or
in-ground pool
The type of pool determines where your filter will be located,
which then determines the pump you need. If the filter intake is positioned
above the pump, you will need a top-mount pump. On the other hand, if the
filter intake is on the same level as the pump, you will need a side-mount
pump.
4. Filter size
A filter’s size also determines which pump to buy. A large
filter requires a large pump while a small filter requires a small pump. However,
it is better to have a pump with a max flow rate that does not exceed a filter
flow rate just to keep the system safe. The opposite however would be
catastrophic because the pump will destroy the filter.
How to size a pool pump
A pool’s size greatly determines the pump size. However, other
factors also contribute to ultimately determining the pool pump size. These
include the resistance from the filters and plumbing. Water passage through the
filter produces resistance. As the filter gets used for a long time, it gets
clogged with debris which further increases its resistance.
Similarly, the plumbing around the filtration system might
include many bends or a large head which causes a significant resistance to
water flow. Hence, it is recommended to get a pump with a slightly larger flow
rate to cater for any form of resistance and give you the required turnover
time.
How to choose a pool pump
Popular brand pool pump are the safest bet because of their
durability. A good example would be Onga pool pumps such as this specifically designed Onga Pantera Ppp750 pool pump. Onga pool pumps are high
quality pumps which are known for their reliability and exceptional
performance.
How to buy a pool pump
With all the information above, it is time to buy the pump. Many
manufacturers provide details of their pool pumps on their websites and this is
a good place to compare the pumps specifications with the specifications you
want.
In this case, Onga pool pumps are clearly listed and classified
as filtration and specialty pumps on their website where you can compare specs
then purchase from their dealer shops.
No comments:
Post a Comment