
Latest news
Requirements for swimming pool pumps are changing from
1 October 2022
- Regulation requirements
- Brochure - Helping make Australian pools more energy efficient - Are you aware of the new energy efficiency regulations?
- Brochure - Registration requirements - An introduction to registering products under the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Act 2012
- Fact sheets - See Publications for several that have been published for swimming pool pumps
- Webinar - See YouTube for our webinar with SPASA members. Topics include: Overview of the program and the Regulator, Working together, Regulatory requirements, Voluntary label, Transition arrangements, Approach to compliance and a QnA session.
Overview
Swimming pool pumps make up approximately 18% of a pool owners electricity bill. From 1 October 2022 owners will be able to make purchase decisions based on the swimming pool pump energy rating label. This will assist owners to achieve lower electricity costs, reduce electricity consumption and achieve other operating benefits.
Selecting the right pump for your needs is important. An 8 star model could save you $125.25 per year as compared to a 3 star model based on the estimated example below.
Electricity | 8 star model | 3 star model |
---|---|---|
Kilowatt hour (kWh) consumed per year | 346 | 824 |
Example price per kWh Tariff price found on your electricity bill |
$0.2683 | $0.2683 |
Annual cost |
$92.83 (346 kWh multiplied by $0.2683) |
$221.08 (824 kWh multiplied by $0.2683) |
Save |
$128.25 per year (221.08 less 92.83) |
No saving |
About the label
Before purchasing a new pump obtain quotes and compare types to get the one that’s right for you and your pool.
For information about the Energy Rating Label
Reading the label
The energy rating label includes the star arch, which provides a visual representation of how energy efficient a pump is, compared to other similar sized pumps. It also includes the energy consumption figure in kilowatt hours per year based on standardised testing, if the pump is running the filtration system for a 50,000 litre pool. It shows the Australian Standard that the pump was tested against to determine the level of efficiency.
The cost of running a pump is not given on the label, because the price a household pays for electricity varies depending on the offer from the household’s electricity retailer. If you know the size of your pool, your electricity tariff, and how often you use your pump, you can estimate how much money it will cost you to run your pool pump.
Alternatively you could estimate the running cost by dividing the energy consumption figure by four.
Topic |
Detail |
---|---|
More stars equals greater efficiency |
The rating scale for pool pumps is from 1 to 10. Each star represents an improvement in efficiency, so a 7 star pump will be more energy efficient than a 6 star pump, and an 8 star pump will be more efficient than a 7 star pump. Remember the higher the star the lower your electricity cost will be for the pump. |
Noise levels |
A quiet pump has benefits to you and others, especially if you run your pump at night taking advantage of off-peak electricity tariffs. |
Energy consumption figure |
This shows the energy consumed to pump 50,000 litres of water per day for a year. This figure is determined under test conditions in accordance with the Australian Standard AS 5102.1:2019. |
Regulation requirements
On 1 October 2022, registrants (typically manufacturers, importers or suppliers of pumps for spa or pool systems) need to register pumps with a defined power range sold in Australia. From this date, pumps that do not meet the new minimum energy performance standard cannot be sold or supplied in Australia.
At a glance...
These regulations replace the Voluntary Energy Rating Label Program.
MEPS | Energy Rating Label | Australia1 | New Zealand | Registration fee2 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Yes |
Yes
|
Yes Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Swimming Pool Pump-units) Determination 2021 From 1 October 2022 |
No |
$440 |
1 The Determination was developed in consultation with State and Territory jurisdictions under the E3 program and the exposure draft of the determination was published for public comment and submissions in 2020.
2 The registration fee covers one model or a family of up to 10.
Technical considerations
Single phase pump units for spas or pool systems within a defined power range that are capable of a flow rate equal to or greater than 120 litres per minute must:
- be registered by 1 October 2022
- meet minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) against testing requirements specified in Australian Standard AS 51021.2019
- display an energy rating label, and
- may display an icon that can be used for online or digital advertising.
A pump unit is a combination of electric motor, pump, hair and lint pot, controller and all plumbing fittings/filters supplied with the pump unit.
A pump is designed for use in connection with a spa or pool system for the circulation of water through pool filters, sanitisation devices, cleaning devices, water heaters (including solar) or through spa or jet outlets or other features forming part of the pool.
See the product Determination and the Australian Standard AS 5102.1.2019 for more technical details.
See Registration for help on registering your products.
See the Energy Rating Product Registration system to register your pool pumps by 1 October 2022.
To verify if your pump needs to be registered review the technical topics below.
If you require any assistance to you meet legislation requirements like testing and labelling concerns Contact us.
What you need to consider before applying
Before applying registrants need to ensure they have the correct information to support their applications.
Below you can find help topics to ensure your application is complete.
If you require any assistance to meet your legislation requirements, including any testing and labelling concerns Contact us.
After product registration
Your product has now been registered.
View the topics below to help you manage labelling requirements, supply chain and stock issues.
If you require any assistance to meet your legislation requirements, including testing and labelling concerns Contact us.
Compliance considerations
The GEMS Regulator utilises compliance functions under the Greenhouse Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012. We conduct a range of activities under the compliance policy and framework. This includes education, monitoring, investigation and response.
Below are key topics relevant to the commencement of pumps as a regulated product.
See Compliance for information about our compliance activities.
Voluntary program
A Voluntary Energy Rating Labelling Program (VERLP) for pumps operated from April 2010 to December 2018. It enabled suppliers of pumps to register an energy rating label to display the relative energy efficiency of their pump.
Registered VERLP products can display the voluntary label up to six months after the Determination commenced.
Voluntary labels must not be displayed after 31 March 2023.
Some pumps registered under the VERLP will not be eligible for registration under the Determination.