If you still have a single-speed pool pump in South Florida, you're probably leaving $500–$1,200/year on the table in electric bills. Variable-speed pumps have come down in price and up in reliability — for most South Florida homeowners, they pay for themselves in 18–36 months.
How much single-speed pumps cost to run
A 1.5 HP single-speed pump running 8 hours/day in South Florida draws roughly 1,500 watts. At FPL's residential rate of around $0.12–$0.16/kWh, that's:
- ~$55–$75/month
- ~$660–$900/year
Some older 2-HP units push that to $80–$100/month — $1,000+/year on pump alone.
How variable-speed pumps save money
A variable-speed pump runs at low RPM most of the time — where efficiency is dramatically higher. The common sweet spot: 1,200–1,800 RPM for 8–12 hours a day, then a short high-speed burst for vacuuming or heater priming.
Typical variable-speed running cost: $15–$25/month. Savings vs single-speed: $500–$900/year.
When they pay back
| Single-speed | Variable-speed | |
|---|---|---|
| Pump price (installed, South Florida) | $700–$900 | $1,400–$2,400 |
| Annual electric | ~$800 | ~$220 |
| Warranty | 1 year | 3 years |
| Noise | Loud | Noticeably quieter |
| Payback on upgrade | — | 18–36 months |
Brands we install
- Pentair IntelliFlo VSF — gold standard, quietest, best warranty support.
- Hayward TriStar VS — strong second, excellent price/performance.
- Jandy FloPro VS — great for Jandy automation systems.
We stay away from off-brand variable pumps — the savings disappear if the pump dies at year 2.
When NOT to upgrade
- Your single-speed is less than 3 years old and working fine. Run it to end-of-life first.
- Your electric bill is genuinely low (snowbird, winter-only use) — payback stretches past 5 years.
- You're selling the house in under 2 years.
Rebates
FPL occasionally offers pool pump rebates — check fpl.com before you purchase. Some rebates knock $200–$400 off the upgrade.
Ready to upgrade? See our equipment upgrade service or request a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
$1,400–$2,400 installed in South Florida depending on brand (Pentair IntelliFlo, Hayward TriStar VS, Jandy VS) and any plumbing changes needed.
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