5 Things to Know About Variable-Speed Pumps and Heat Pumps for Pools

Variable-speed pumps cut electricity bills by 50–80% compared to single-speed pumps. Most pool pumps run faster than necessary 90% of the time, so slowing them down saves serious money.

The payback on a variable-speed pump is usually under two years. That makes it the most impactful energy upgrade for most pools.

Heat pumps use far less energy than gas heaters because they move heat instead of creating it. They cost more upfront but pay for themselves if you heat your pool for more than a couple months a year.

Solar covers are the cheapest upgrade for trapping heat and cutting evaporation. They have been a smart investment since the 1980s, but they are not a new trend.

Start with the variable-speed pump, then add a heat pump if you need heat. Everything else is a nice-to-have after those two upgrades.