WOW!!! Filter run time and electric cost.

[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.

[brian61]

Stosh,

Thanks for the post, I am glad to hear that your bill went down. I am hoping that shutting the lights down will make a big difference. The electtric company said my big problem was that I exceeded 2 baselines which sent the costs through the roof.......We will swim in the dark....LOL

[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

[Poconos]

I got curious myself and called PP&L (Pensylvania Power & Light) and am waiting for a reply on the electric meter calibration info. There are some numbers on the thing that I believe can lead me to relate revs per KWH. Anyhow, got someones name and will pursue this next week if I don't hear anything by tomorrow (Friday). Of course the other option is to calibrate the blasted meter yourself. I've done that in the long ago past. Advertising my age again.
Al