PUMPS

The cost to operate your pool is a reoccurring monthly cost that can really add up over a year and more over the lifetime of the pool. 

You want a pump that will provide enough water to operate your skimmer to collect the leaves and surface debris. This is 15 gpm to 35 gpm. 

Your pump should be able to provide enough water flow to backwash the filter. For a sand filter, this is 20 gpm/sq. ft. of media.

A single speed pump was the typical pump used for the past 20 years. They come in various sizes and mounting flange type. Even a 1/2 HP can draw 6.5 amps. at 120 vac. This calculates to 780 watts/hr. used.  Check the pump curve, you only want a pump that will deliver the system flow without overpowering the filter and piping. 

Single speed pumps are usually a poor choice. They are not included on this website. 

The two speed pump was the successor to the single speed pump. It offer a low speed (low flow) for daily filtration and a higher speed (high flow) for backwashing. The electrical requirements for a 1 1/2/.3 HP pump are typically 1.5 amps on low and 11 amps on high speed. This calculates to 180 w/hr. Since the flow is reduced by 50 at this lower speed, you must run the pump twice as long resulting in 360 w/hr. As you can see, this is still more than a 50 % reduction in electricity moving the same amount of water. (2 x 180=360)w/780w=0.46%.

Two speed pumps are a logical and worthwhile consideration for above ground pools. The smallest two speed is a usually a .75 HP/.1 HP. Analyze the pump curve for the lower speed. You may have to increase the HP so that the low speed provides enough daily filtration flow.  

According to the DOE requirements on September 29, 2025, make sure you purchase  .5 THP to  1 THP so that it is compliant with being less than 1.1 THP.

The industry standard for in-ground pools is now the variable speed. The flow can be adjusted to match the desired flow. The desired flows for Above Ground Pools is between 15 gpm and 35 gpm. Variable speed flows/speeds are usually below the (low speed of a two speed pump) resulting in even greater savings. Typical savings can be 75% to 85% less than a single speed. With a properly sized filter, piping and pump, pumping 25 gpm can be accomplished using only 200 watts/hour of electricity. 

Starting on September 29, 2025, Pumps over 1.15 THP will have to be variable speed.  Small-size  (0.5 ≤ total horsepower <1.15): have until September 28, 2027 to be sold without the requirement for being a variable speed. 1/2 HP and below pumps have some requirements also. 

Inventory at distribution, retail and contractors may still be sold. Once they run out, the consumer will only be able to purchase the more expensive variable speed pumps. 

This includes all the packaged pool pump/filter combinations. 

A quick search on the internet will result in various "Non-Domestic" brands being offered. Even some of the BOX stores are selling these brands. There appears to be one manufacturer that is "Private Labeling" many of the models found on the internet.

Some are UL Listed or ETL Listed. Many are NOT. See the section "USA Electrical....."

Be aware that product support, customer support, technical services, pump curves, replacement parts availability, local labor repair or Warranty may be difficult to obtain. 

For the above reasons, I have not included "Non-Domestic" Brands. 

If I can't repair it, I don't want to suggest it.