Variable Speed Pool Pumps: Where the Savings Actually Come From
July 14, 2026 · 6 min read
Pump power rises roughly with the cube of speed. Halving the speed cuts draw to about an eighth while moving half the water — so running slow and long beats running fast and short almost every time.
Size for turnover, not horsepower
Aim to turn the pool volume over once or twice per day. A 20,000-gallon pool needs roughly 25 GPM over 12 hours — a duty most 1.65 THP variable speed pumps hit at half speed.
Build a schedule
Low speed for filtration through the day, a short high-speed block for skimming or vacuuming, and a separate speed for heaters or in-floor cleaners that require minimum flow.
- Filtration: 1,400–1,800 RPM, 10–14 hours
- Skimming: 2,600 RPM, 1 hour
- Cleaner or heater: per manufacturer minimum flow
Do not strangle the plumbing
Undersized 1.5-inch suction lines waste much of the benefit. If you are re-plumbing, go 2 inch on suction and keep 90-degree elbows to a minimum.
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