Jason Thompson:
How much does it really cost to run a pool pump? Here is a common question I get from a lot of my customers.

OBPS Answer: Your pool equipment will use about $45.00 to $75.00 (8-12hr runtime) per month for a single speed motor depending on horse power and length of time running.  (This estimation does not apply to 2 speed or variable speed motors as these motors are meant to save $$$ depending on usage and set RPM speeds. In the event you have a variable speed motor you can substitute the watts displayed on your smart control device in the formulas below and calculate your cost.)  

• Here is how to figure it out... your average single speed pump, say pulls 8-12 amps of electricity on a 240 Volt branch circuit. 
• For simple math and ease I'll use 10AMPS. Now just apply this simple formula, 10A X 240V = 2400W / 1000KW = 2.4KWH (A=Amps, V=Volts, W=watts, KW=Kilowatts,  KWH=Kilowatt hours)  
• Multiplying the amps and the volts gives you the watts then divide that sum by 1000 watts in the formula to get your kilowatt hours (how much electricity you use in 1 hour). 
• Once you have your KWH usage just multiply your per KWH cost from your electric  company. Most charge .10  so .10 X 2.4 = $0.24 per hour to run your pool. 
• So running your pool for 8 hours will cost  8H X .24 Cents = $1.92 per day and $1.92 X 30 days (1 Month) = $57.60.

Variable Speed Benefit
Now that you know how to calculate the cost apply the simple math with the energy consumption of a VS pump. 
I prefer the Jandy e-Pump, it's a pro series 2.7 HP VS high head pump and this baby moves some water at full speed!

My settings are as follows:

• Jandy CV cartridge filter with a connected e-Pump using a iAqualink 3.0 controller. 
• The pump is set to 1250 RPM's running 16Hrs/day and it consumes a mere 125 Watts at that speed. 

So here is the breakdown of the cost with my settings. 

• 1KWH = 1000W so 1000w / 125W = 8Hrs
• My Power company charges .10 per KWH so I can run my pump for 8 hours and it costs me 10 cents!  
• I run my pump for 16HR so my daily cost is 20 cents. 
• Therefore .20 x 30 Days = $6.00 per month instead of the potential $55.00 - $75.00 of a single speed pump!

My rule of thumb for filtering water, with a non variable speed pump is whatever the ambient temp is, that is the amount of hours you run your pool.  Example 80 deg. = 8 hrs, 90 deg. = 9 hrs and so on up to 102 at 12hr.  If your pump and plumbing were  sized properly at installation and your water is clean, after 12 hours you have filtered out about as much as it can filter for the day and you are wasting your electricity.  Variable speed pumps require a different approach as they are meant to run longer but a 1/2 to 1/3 of the speed of a regular pump thus saving you $$$. The big idea is that if you are running the motor at half the speed then you have to run it twice as long to accomplish the proper turnover rate for effective filtration. Therefore, the size of your pool (i.e. how many gallons) will dictate runtimes and speed settings. Your installer will, or should, make the proper settings at the time of installation.  Sand filters are exceptions to any of these rule as they need to run longer sometimes 24hrs/day to maintain water clarity.  The converse applies to lower temps; you should not run your pool less than 4 hours per day. Remember, without filtration your pool is essentially stagnant water and thus a breeding ground for algae and bacteria. (Even in freezing water, less likely, but still plausible). For freezing temps (below 32 deg.) the equipment will run 24 hours to prevent pipe damage.  So in the winter if you hear your equipment running day or night off of it's normal schedule, don’t turn it off as it is protecting itself from freezing.  And yes if it's running 24 hr that will also affect your electricity bill. :(  But better to have a higher bill then busted pipes!!! 

Ocean Blue Pool Service ~ Jason Thompson

 website: www.oceanblueps.com Email: [email protected]

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Mastic Joint or Deck-O-Seal?  What is is???
An old term for the joint between the coping and the deck is "Mastic Joint" Now a day's Deck-O-Seal has replaced the term or they are interchangeable...

So is it import at all? The simple answer YES!! The expansion joint is the rubbery substance that seals the coping to the deck. Its purpose is to allow independent movement of the pool and the deck, prevents water from getting behind the pool shell and eroding the dirt that holds the shell of the pool and supports the deck and it prevents water from getting behind or under the pools coping stones, causing cold mortar joints and freezing that can cause loose stones and loose tiles etc…

The Deck-O-Seal removal and installation is very labor intensive and runs about 6.00 per LF to remove and replace (includes labor and material). The expense comes from having to remove the old seal then back fill the crevasse with backer rod and sand then filling the remaining void with the mastic joint seal. It's allowed to cure with a finish top coating of sand.  Your expansion joint/deco seal is a very important aspect for the overall protection of your swimming pool and decking. The expansion joint/deco seal plays an important role in allowing movement of the pools structure. So when movement is occurring (albeit deck or pool) during temperature change in the summer or when we have no rain or a lot of rain (dehydration/re-hydration) , the rubbery joint allows the pool to move independent of the deck rather than pressing into the decking which would cause cracking of the pool or the decking surface.

When the expansion joint/deco seal starts to fail or has separated from the pool coping or deck, it could allow water to run off into the joint causing water to build up as i said above. I have heard that a lack of mastic can also cause soil erosion over time that will allow the decking to crack along with water to settle near the re-bar in the shell structure of the pool.  This may cause rust spots on the inside of the pool.  In my opinion, rust spots occur from a bad re-bar placement i.e. being too close to the plaster surface, however anything is possible.  Having a good expansion joint/deco seal will help to prevent those things from happening which over time will save you money.

When installing expansion joint/deco seal, you always want to go through the proper steps to ensure both the coping and deck surfaces are prepped 100% to guarantee the material adheres to the surface and last as long as possible.  This means removing all of the old product. If you don’t you are most likely going to have premature failure of the new product. When doing the installation there is a specific way to achieve the best outcome possible. Cleaning the surfaces, installing a backer foam, sanding the area to fill the voids, then pouring the expansion joint/deco seal material and finally sanding the surface lightly to give it the natural look.  And yes anyone CAN do it but it IS recommended that you get it professionally
installed.  Believe me folks, some things are better left to ones who have the proper "know how"... because if this is done wrong or rushed it WILL LOOK TERRIBLE and your pool should be a show piece! 

Here is some technical stuff if your interested:
DECK-O-SEAL is used for caulking and sealing joints subject to concrete movement to provide a firm, flexible, weather-tight seal.  It is ideal for sealing joints on swimming pool decks. It is applicable for both interior and exterior use.

FEATURES/BENEFITS

• Highly resilient with excellent recovery characteristics
• Provides permanent and uniform watertight seal.
• Prevents uncontrolled cracking by allowing expansion and contraction during temperature changes.
• Stays flexible … won’t become brittle or crack due to ultraviolet exposure.
• Resists abrasion, weathering and moisture … elevated temperatures will not cause discoloration.
• Not affected by today’s pool chemicals.
• Retains joint soundness in service once it’s cured and can be stretched or compressed up to 25%.

I look forward to working with you and helping you enjoy your new pool! 
Take Care and as always call or email with any questions,~Jason Thompson
Ocean Blue Pool Service - 469-358-1895
[email protected]