Swimming Pool Pumps

In households with a swimming pool or spa, the pump unit is usually the largest single user of residential electricity (about 16%). Australia boasts the world’s highest household pool ownership per capita with 1.2 million household swimming pools and to service this growing industry around 90,000 new pumps are sold each year.

There are many different types of swimming pool pumps and selecting the right pump for your needs is important when considering your household energy use and cost. Often the initial capital cost of a swimming pool pump represents around 20 per cent of the total expenditure on an average pump, and the ongoing energy costs used to run the pump can be up to 80 per cent.

Find out about the types of swimming pool pumps you can choose

There are significant opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of swimming pool pumps and spa pump units. E3 has commenced work to investigate the costs and benefits of:

1. Implementing mandatory minimum energy performance standards for newly manufactured and imported pump-units; and

2. Transitioning from the voluntary labelling program to a mandatory labelling program.

We anticipate commencing consultation with interested stakeholders in February 2016 about ways to improve energy efficiency industry wide for swimming pool pumps. If you would like to participate or have questions about our work, please email us at energyrating@industry.gov.au with Swimming Pool Pumps in the subject line.

Since April 2010, a Voluntary Energy Rating Labelling Program for Pool Pumps (VERLP) has been operating under the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Program. It enables suppliers of swimming pool pumps to register an energy rating label to display the relative energy efficiency of their pump-unit. There is currently no mandatory requirement for pool pumps to be labelled or meet minimum energy performance standards. View list of participating products.

Labelling provides suppliers of swimming pool and spa pump-units with an effective and well‑recognised way of communicating the energy efficiency of their products to customers. The VERLP also helps consumers to identify high efficiency pool pumps, which can save them money.

Suppliers can choose to report the noise levels associated with operating the pump-unit on the label. This helps consumers compare the relative noise during operation of different products. 

You are encouraged to compare products that are labelled under the voluntary program as they provide clear information about their energy performance.

The VERLP is governed by the Rules for Participation. Suppliers are not required to participate in the VERLP, but if they choose to participate then they must comply with the Rules. If an application or participating product does not comply with the Rules it may be removed from the program.

If you would like further information on the VERLP, please contact the Administrator at PoolPumps@industry.gov.au.

When choosing a pool pump, remember that the more stars on the label, the more efficient the pump. 

The rating scale for pump units is from 1 to 10. Every star on the label represents a 25% improvement in efficiency, so a 7 star pump will be up to 25% more energy efficient than a 6 star pump, and an 8 star pump will be up to 43% more efficient than a 6 star pump. 

Many pump-units also report noise levels on the label. A quiet pump will be appreciated by you and your neighbours, especially if you run your pump at night to take advantage of off-peak tariffs. 

To fully compare how much energy different pump-units use, check the energy consumption figure on the label. This shows the energy that will be consumed to pump 50,000L of water every day for a year. This figure is determined under test conditions in accordance with the Australian Standard AS5102. 

If you know how big your pool is, what your energy tariff is, and how often you use your pump, with a little calculation you can get a good idea how much money a more efficient pump unit can save you every year.

For example, you own a 50,000L pool that you pump every day and are deciding between a 6 star pump-unit that consumes 650kWh p.a. and an 8 star model that consumes 372Kwh p.a. and you are on the average Australian electricity tariff of $0.2683 per kWh.  The difference in electricity costs is approximately $75 per annum. 

The primary purpose of a pool pump is to circulate pool water through a filter (typically sand, diatomaceous earth or cartridge).  The pump draws water from the pool bottom drain and/or the pool deck skimmer, and forces it through a filter, heater (if fitted) and chlorinator (if fitted).  Water is returned to the pool via a number of return fittings which are typically located on the walls or floor of the pool. 

A suction cleaning device may also be connected via specialised fittings on the pool wall, although it may be connected to a dedicated pump.  Back washing the pool system is achieved by switching valves to reverse the flow of the water in order to clean the filter and eject built-up debris.

There are numerous variables and configurations of pool hydraulic systems, which can effect the energy consumption of the pool pump.  These include:

• Filter type.

• Pipework material, internal diameter, length and number of elbows.

• Type and number of pool fittings.

• Presence of pool heater, chlorinator and suction cleaning device.

• Pool size.

• Pump operating regime, including frequency of backwashing (to clean filter and thereby reduce pump head).

• Pump efficiency.

The pool pump-unit consists of an electric motor attached to a mechanical pump, which incorporates an impeller rotating inside the pump housing (see Figure 1).  The efficiency of the pump reflects the efficiency of both the motor and the pump.  The motor’s efficiency is a measure of how well it converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.  The pump’s efficiency is a measure of how well it converts mechanical energy into hydraulic energy.  The hydraulic energy produced by a pump-unit serving a pool system must overcome the system’s resistance-to-flow (expressed in metres of head) to create adequate flow (expressed in litres per minute).

Figure 1 - typical pool pump unit

Also, remember it’s always a good idea to do your research and obtain several quotes before making a final decision. You are encouraged to compare products that are labelled under the voluntary program as they provide clear information about their energy performance.

For even more practical information on how to save energy and money go to Your Energy Savings. 

If you are a supplier and would like to label your pump-unit with the voluntary Energy Rating Label, you should submit your application via email to the Administrator at PoolPumps@industry.gov.au.

To be valid, applications must comply with the requirements set out in the Rules for Participation for the Voluntary Energy Rating Labelling Program for Pool Pumps (VERLP) and include all the documents set out in the Voluntary Labelling Checklist. Applications that are incomplete or do not meet the requirements set out in the Rules and Checklist will be refused.

Further information on what pump-units are eligible to participate and what information is required for a valid application is available in the Frequently Asked Questions section below.