Original > Hot Tub Forum

Advantages of a 24/7 circulation pump

(1/1)

ZzTop:
The advantages of a 24/7 dedicated circulation pump.

These pumps are very energy efficient to run.  Consider a pump drawing 0.6 amps running 24 hours a day while filtering 42,000 gallons of water per day with a 30 second perge cycle (jet pumps on high speed).

A 24/7 circ pump provides even and continuous heating of the spa as the pump is continuously moving water past the heater which distributes hot water evenly to the tub.

Generally a jet pump will also be programmed to run for  30 seconds twice in a 24 hour period to purge water and mix the spa water to make sure there is no standing unfiltered water in the tub and break up surface tension.  This adds up to very good high volume, continuous filtration.

If you are using an ozinator, it will operate 24/7 along with the circ pump resulting in a continuous application of Ozone to the spa water.  This is a big advantage if you are using ozone.  Other programmed systems only allow the ozone generator to operate when the pumps are operating.

Savings.  A dedicated cirulation pump costs less to run than the more expensive jet pumps.  This also extends the jet pumps life expectancy.

Quieter operation.

Chas:
Yeah, but other than that....

Dr. Spa™ Ret.:
Just cause I'm in the mood to play devils advocate :-)

"These pumps are very energy efficient to run.  Consider a pump drawing 0.6 amps running 24 hours a day while filtering 42,000 gallons of water per day"

Amps are Amp, or watts. Is there a cost DIFFERENCE between filtering 42,000 gallons with a circ pump vs a jet pump? Sure a circ pump costs less per hour to operate, but has to run MANY hours longer to move the same volume of water.


"Generally a jet pump will also be programmed to run for  30 seconds twice in a 24 hour period to purge water and mix the spa water to make sure there is no standing unfiltered water in the tub and break up surface tension.  This adds up to very good high volume, continuous filtration."

Unfortunatly the VAST majority of a motors wear and tear comes from simply turning it on. Weather it runs for 30 seconds or 30 minutes, the difference in wear is neglagable.


"Savings.  A dedicated cirulation pump costs less to run than the more expensive jet pumps."

I'll repeat; Amps are Amp, or watts. Is there a cost DIFFERENCE between filtering 42,000 gallons with a circ pump vs a jet pump? Sure a circ pump costs less per hour to operate, but has to run MANY hours longer to move the same volume of water.

"This also extends the jet pumps life expectancy."

So? Lets say a circ pump costs 25% of what a jet pump costs. If using a circ pump extends the lift of a jet pump 25% is there really any savings..... and you have to consider the added cost of the circ pump....

Personally I don't advocate one way or another. Many major manufacturers have been and are sucessful with each.

You did though miss one important point.... A circ pump tends to be much quieter and will create less vibrations.

Mendocino101:
42000 gallons of water a day seems high for most circ pumps...I think beachcombers does move that much volume....but....I think they are on the very high end...if I am not mistaken.....Hotprings....Sundance...Caldera....turns the water over in the tub about 10 to 12 times daily.....or about.....8000 gallons a day....perhaps Chas can verify this.....

Roborph:
Since a circ pump runs 24/7, then that pump is not turning on and off....therefore less wear and tear on the pump...ask any engineer

Navigation

[0] Message Index