WOW!!! Filter run time and electric cost.

[brian61]

Thank you all for your responses, I did not think the filter and pump could cause such a spike.

One response listed that the pool and spa light could be a factor. I have been running the lights each night on a timer for 3 hours, along with approximatley 300 watts of low voltage lighting. I did not think that even this could cause such a spike, however I will turn them off and see what the next bill brings.

Thanks

[IMherDad]

I agree this did not sound right BUT you need to remember that several states did have a HUGE electrical rate increase. I was watching a report just a few days ago and one state electric was increasing by 100%! The average was about 75%.

I am not saying this is the reason her bill is so high but I am betting there are several factors involved.

[samendolaro]

This wan't asked or stated but did this new pool install have a water heater?

[matt4x4]

A pool should cost about a buck a day - so make it two bucks a day with electricity cost increases...

[mas985]

I too live in California and currently run my 1 HP Northstar 3 hours a day. One thing to remember is the true HP of a pump is the labeled HP times the service factor. For my pump, I have a 1.85 service factor which means my braking HP is really 1.85 HP. Also, from the manual, the service factor amps is 8.0 @ 230V. So the pump draws about 1.84 kw which is close to the braking HP and generally used as a rule of thumb for energy usage.

In California, when you draw above baseline usage you get hit hard for electric rates. So, I am paying about $.22 per kwh for the pool pump and $36 extra a month for 3 hrs a day run time. When I double the run time this summer, I should be paying about $72 extra a month.

[brian61]

I talked with the electric company and they said they raised the rates 30%, however this still would not account for such a large bill. Is it possible that the pool and spa light could have caused such an increase?

[gwrace1]

You might want to consider a 2 speed pump. We run ours on low speed 12 hours a day with an SWG. The 1.5 HP pump pulls 3.8 amps on low. I noticed about a $25-30 month increase in the electrical bill.

[StoshJ]

I would say your lights play a big role in the jump. Pre new pool, my electric bill in So. Cal was around $90 (no A/C/Heat). After the pool, it's now around $180. BUT, I have a 2 HP pump and run it 7 hours a day. The first month, I did run the water features and lights quite a bit, and that bill was $250. That's why I think your lighting is contributing quite a bit to your bill.

[matt4x4]

The electricity companies are becoming a big PIA, I'm seriously considering one of these, go big enough and they have to pay YOU!!!
http://www.canwea.ca/en/

[brian61]

Matt that is perfect, now if they could only make one to run my car.....Brian