By Justin D. • July 8th, 2024
Hey there, and welcome back to the Pool Nerd. I’m Justin, your resident pool aficionado. And today I’m looking at the Leaf Pump, a variable speed pump for your pool.
Importance of Pool Pumps
Pool pumps are an essential part of every pool system, and it's probably not something you really put much thought into when jumping into your pool. Pool pumps are the heart of your pool. They keep the water circulating as they carry water through the filters, UV lights, and other parts of your pool filtration system. A traditional pool pump typically uses more power than all other appliances. So switching to a variable speed pump can save energy and your wallet. If you are about to get your first pool or are looking to improve your existing pool, the Leaf pump is something you want to look into as it not only can save you money, but also create a safer and healthier pool for you and your family. So let’s look at how the Leaf pump accomplishes all of that.
Leaf Pump: Energy Efficient and Powerful
The Leaf pump, unlike standard pool pumps, is a variable speed pump, meaning you can program and adjust the pump’s flow throughout the day. With 1.5HP, Leaf pump is not only extremely powerful, but also extremely efficient. Running on as little as 20 watts – 30 watts at the lowest setting, it uses about 90% less energy than a traditional pool pump. While most pool pumps run on 1800 watts, Leaf Pump runs on just a fraction of that.
In one year alone, the Leaf Pump saved me over $1,000 on my electric bill. This is all thanks to its variable speed magnetic motors. Most pool pumps have the ability to run at one speed, meaning they can waste a lot of energy. In fact, some cities and entire states have outlawed old-fashioned single speed pumps. The Leaf Pump, on the other hand, can be set at any speed, eliminating waste by precisely setting the speed of its super-efficient magnetic motors.
Efficient and Quiet Operation
These magnetic motors are where we get 80–90% less energy consumption as they run much more efficiently and quietly than motors found in your traditional pool pump. Pool pumps are usually the #2 user of electricity in your home. With a Leaf Pump, running your pump slowly for 24 hours per day is the way to go. You can run the Leaf Pump all day for the same cost or less as a few-hour cycle on a traditional pool pump. This is because the amount of horsepower required to move the water through your pipes and circulation system decreases dramatically when we slow down the flow of water. This is due to friction and other principles of physics.
For example, it may take 1 full horsepower to move the water through your pipes at 60 gallons per minute, but it only takes 1/8 HP to move the water through at 30 gallons per minute. It is tremendously more cost-efficient to operate at slower speeds. Most of the new energy-efficient pool pumps can be adjusted to many settings, which also allows you to operate a pool cleaner or vacuum the pool when you need high flow rates.
Cleaner and Healthier Pool
Using a variable speed pump, your pool water will be a lot cleaner and healthier, as you can be constantly circulating it to prevent bacteria and debris from growing or settling in your pool. The efficient motors put less strain on your entire pool system and help your filter to operate more efficiently, meaning you’ll get better water quality and filters will last longer. With its variable speed settings ranging from 250 to 3450 RPM, Leaf Pump has adjustable presets that you can program ensuring you run the exact speed you want at all times.
Durability and Ease of Use
Speaking of longevity, the Leaf Pump comes with a two-year warranty. This shows a lot of faith in the durability of the Leaf Pump, so you don’t have to worry about an expensive repair or replacement if something were to go wrong.
One other key piece of any pool equipment is how easy it is to use. The Leaf Pump packs a ton of automation features into its design, such as automatically running whenever the temperature falls below 39 degrees to ensure your pool doesn’t freeze, it automatically primes itself, and is fully compatible with most automation systems. It also has a very easy-to-use control panel. The Leaf Pump’s control panel has bright LED lights so you can easily see what you are selecting, as well as options to select from a range of RPMs from 250–3450 for each of the programmable speeds, so you can tailor its power to what your pool needs. In other words, it is a huge step up in performance, features, and ease of use from your average pool pump, and will fit nicely into your existing pool filtration setup.
Conclusion
So what’s my final verdict on the Leaf Pump?
It’s Pool Nerd approved!
With its massive energy savings and amazing performance thanks to its variable speed motors, there is no reason not to include the Leaf Pump in your pool system as it will be an improvement in every way. A Leaf Pump may cost a bit more upfront, but the performance, warranty, and peace of mind are unmatched in comparison to other pool pumps.
If you want to keep nerding out over your pool, be sure to hit that subscribe button to keep learning how to make pool maintenance way easier. Head on over to thepoolnerd.com to view my comparison page and see all the differences between the many robotic pool cleaners out there. Until then, enjoy that pool and check back soon for more pool maintenance tips and insight.
Your resident pool aficionado.
For over 4+ years, The Pool Nerd has been a leading source in the swimming pool industry. With years of experince owning a swimming pool, our hope here is to guide and help making owning a swimming pool easier.
