At a recent stop in Auburn, PG&E was demonstrating energy efficient pool pumps they have installed on a trailer. The traveling trailer goes around demonstrating the savings possible with new variable speed pool pumps.

Local electrician, Dan Magyar of Magyar Electric took notice and was very impressed, " What was hard to believe was that when you use this (variable speed motor) you improve the efficiency by 30% immediately because it has a permanent magnet motor design.  All other motors used for pool operation are either  single speed or two speed motors, and are all induction motors (not permanent magnet designs)."

Dan also noted that when you then slow down the speed of the pump you gain efficiency again because by slowing down the flow of water you lessen the resistance to flow by an inverse square function.  Slow down by half, and you use only 1/8th the power.  That's a tremendous savings, especially in places like energy hungry California.  He offered up the analogy that "when we had the slower speed limits, by slowing down some you really save power, which in that case equaled gas, now its electricity which costs money."  (Gas was under a dollar when we had the lower speed limit).

The first pool pump (normal induction) motor demonstrated by PG&E used about 1800 watts per hour of use.  It was pumping around 70 gallons a minute.  When they switched the test bed over to the variable speed motor they went from 70 gallons to 35 gallons a minute when they measured the power it was an astonishing 200 watts.  By slowing the flow further down to about 30 gallons a minute they got down to 70 watts of power used.  That’s the equivalent of burning one light bulb instead of 27 bulbs (65 watts) for every hour that you run your pool pump.  No modern math is needed to show that there’s a lot of electrical savings going on.

Dan who has been an electrician for over 39 years, was so excited about the money saving opportunity , he  is installing a new variable speed pump at his home pool.  He's also begun installing the variable speed motors for neighbors and clients who are interested in cutting back their energy costs in a measurable way.

Residents  can check with PG& E to see why they’re offering $100 rebates to variable speed pump change-outs.  Consumers won’t be getting any rebate for the newest single or two speed pool pump anyone makes, just variable speed pumps because they deliver the electrical savings. The new design is creating a very unique win-win situation for both PG&E and residents.

Dan has been certified by PG&E and Pentair to  to replace the pumps.  Magyar Electric operates out of Rocklin and serves the greater Sacramento region.  Magyar Electric is an electrical contracting business with 39 years experience starting, affiliated with the IBEW & an a member of National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

If you'd like to receive more information or have any questions, Dan may be reached online at http://www.magyarelectric.com or by calling (916) 435-5843.