According to Green Building Advisor, your pool pump may use as much as three times the amount of electricity as your refrigerator. The solution – replace your pool pump with a new, energy efficient pool pump.
In a study by the Center for Energy Conservation at Florida Atlantic, pool owners saved 40% off of their energy bills, among other things that help save money on energy bills.
So, to help you stay cool and beat the heat without the electric bills breaking the bank, we are here to show you how to easily replace your pool pump with an energy efficient pool pump.
DISCLAIMER: If you are overwhelmed, uncomfortable or unqualified to work wires and electricity, DO NOT proceed. Contact a licensed electrician to replace your pump.
The DIY Guide to Replacing Your Pool Pump
Step 1: Choosing an Equivalent Energy Efficient Pump
When replacing your pool pump, keep in mind that you want to replace it with a pump of equivalent size to ensure that the new pump will generate the same Gallons per Minute of water flow.
In order to do this, you will need to determine the Total HP (THP) of the new energy efficient pump.
For example, if your old, non-energy efficient pump is a 1.5 HP and the new energy efficient pump is listed as 1 HP, calculate the new pump’s HP (in this case, 1) and multiply it by its Service Factor (SF=1.5) so the total HP would be 1.5, making it equivalent to the old pump.
Step 2: Removing the Old Pool Pump
*Safety Must: Before beginning to replace your pool pump, TURN OFF ALL POWER to your pool pump at the breaker box.
DISCLAIMER:
You are advised to consult with a Licensed Electrician
when performing any electrical repairs.
Once the power has been turned off, it is time to begin disconnecting your wires. Remove the cover of the pump by unscrewing the two screws holding it to the end of the motor. Take the green, red, and black wires off of the terminals.
DISCLAIMER: If you are overwhelmed, uncomfortable or unqualified to work wires and electricity, DO NOT proceed. Contact a licensed electrician to disconnect and reconnect the pumps.
Unscrew the collar of the conduit in order to disconnect it from the old pool pump. Pull the three wires through the metal elbow.
After the wires have been pulled through the elbow, you can unscrew the elbow and discard. Remove the copper bonding wire from the lug on the pool pump motor and now you’re ready to cut the old pump out.
Relieve the pressure in the system before cutting the pipe. Once the pressure has been released, cut the pipe, making the cut as square as possible.
Tip: Using a PVC pipe cutter helps achieve straighter and more precise cutting.
Now, your pump can be removed.
Step 3: Installing the New Energy Efficient Pump
First, attach the pump to the motor with nuts and bolts. You will notice that the water line is coming from the pool toward the suction side of your pump so place a shut-off valve on that same side, and on the side of the pump that contains an outlet, attach a line.
Now, it’s time to get the new pump connected by connecting the filter assembly of the discharge line using unions and a flush valve on the side that is discharged from the filter of the new pool pump.
Finally, you will connect the shut-off valve and pipe that will connect the pump to your pool.
DISCLAIMER: If you are overwhelmed, uncomfortable or unqualified to work wires and electricity, DO NOT proceed. Contact a licensed electrician to replace your pump.
How much will this cost?
The cost of replacing your pool pump may vary depending on several factors such as location, product, any professional assistance, etc.
To determine an approximate cost of replacing your old pool pump with a new energy efficient pool pump, use this online calculator.
The benefits of replacing your old pool pump with a new energy efficient pump will save your money in the long run and is a relatively easy process.
We at Conductive Electrical Contracting hope this DIY Guide was helpful. If you would like to speak to one of our professionals about replacing your pool pump, give us a call at 302-319-4061.
