---
title: "Single-Speed vs Variable-Speed Pool Pump Cost"
description: "Compare your own energy use and rates with the complete assumptions shown."
url: https://electricitycostbystate.com/compare/pool-pump-vs-variable-speed-pool-pump/
updated: 2026-09-27
site: "Electricity Cost by State"
language: en-US
---

# Single-Speed vs Variable-Speed Pool Pump Cost

Compare the energy needed to circulate the same gross gallons. Start with two sourced above-ground filter-pump records, or enter measurements from your own pool.

## Laboratory-point benchmark

10,000.00 gross gallons per use day, 153 use days, 18.31¢/kWh. US EIA residential benchmark, 2026-07.

Single-speed minus variable-speed electricity cost

$24.98 over your selected use days

Positive means the single-speed point costs more. Negative means the variable-speed point costs more. Purchase and installation costs are excluded.

- **Single-speed cost**: $39.10
- **Variable-speed cost**: $14.12
- **Daily difference**: $0.16

Published laboratory operating points; standby excluded.

**Runtime and energy for the same gross circulated volume**

| Pump point | Hours/day | kWh/day |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Blue Torrent AC 500 273.00 W · 32.60 GPM | 5.11 | 1.396 |
| Blue Torrent BT AGV100 76.80 W · 25.40 GPM | 6.56 | 0.504 |

Both records are above-ground, non-self-priming filter pumps. The AC 500 point is at 8.9 ft of head; the BT AGV100 low point is at 5.3 ft. Equal volume does not make those identical hydraulic conditions or prove equivalent filtration in your pool.

[Download CSV](https://electricitycostbystate.com/compare/pool-pump-vs-variable-speed-pool-pump/?state=&rate_basis=benchmark&rate=18.31&mode=reference&gallons=10000&days=153&single_watts=&single_flow=&single_standby=0&variable_watts=&variable_flow=&variable_standby=0&matched_task=no&conditions_name=Same+pool+and+filtration+circuit&format=csv)

The CSV includes the entered assumptions. Scenario URLs contain these inputs and may remain in browser history or hosting logs.

## Two sourced filter-pump records

The source pair is specific to the above-ground, non-self-priming category. Neither is a pressure-cleaner booster pump. These published records establish the model identity and test-point inputs; they do not establish current stock, price, installation compatibility or a universal savings percentage.

**ENERGY STAR records checked September 27, 2026. Electrical watts and flow are direct dataset fields.**

| Model / point | W | GPM | Head, ft | RPM | WEF, kgal/kWh |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Blue Torrent AC 500](https://www.energystar.gov/productfinder/product/certified-pool-pumps/details/2674149/export/pdf/download) Single-speed point · ID 2674149 Certified 2021-09-29 | 273.00 | 32.60 | 8.90 | 3,450 | 7.10 |
| [Blue Torrent BT AGV100](https://www.energystar.gov/productfinder/product/certified-pool-pumps/details/2379254/export/pdf/download) Low-speed point · ID 2379254 Certified 2021-07-27 | 76.80 | 25.40 | 5.30 | 1,350 | 12.50 |

ENERGY STAR stores a single-speed pump's sole measurement in its “low speed” fields. The variable-speed entry here is its published low-speed point. Its higher-speed operation is not inferred from that point. WEF is a separate rated metric; the calculator does not use it or horsepower to infer operating watts.

- [Blue Torrent AC 500 full dataset record](https://data.energystar.gov/resource/m8cf-pkii.json?pd_id=2674149)
- [Blue Torrent BT AGV100 full dataset record](https://data.energystar.gov/resource/m8cf-pkii.json?pd_id=2379254)
- [ENERGY STAR measurement-field definitions](https://www.energystar.gov/products/webservices/spec/144)

## Same gallons, different runtimes

Running hours = gross gallons ÷ (GPM × 60). Daily energy = (operating watts × running hours + standby watts × remaining hours) ÷ 1,000. Multiply daily kWh by the same price and use days for each pump. Calculations use unrounded values; the page rounds only for display.

This is one operating point per pump. Priming, other speed stages, heating, cleaner boosters, lighting and off-season energy are excluded unless separately measured and modeled. Reference standby is excluded because neither record supplies it. For multiple speeds or a full-day meter reading, use the [pump schedule and measured-energy tool](https://electricitycostbystate.com/cost-to-run/pool-pump/).

Gross volume can count the same water repeatedly. It is not a measure of unique water treated, sanitation or sufficient filtration. Flow, head, plumbing, filters and any heater or sanitizer flow requirement matter. Use operating points appropriate for your installed system before drawing a replacement conclusion.

[Check state rate benchmarks](https://electricitycostbystate.com/electricity-rates/) · [Compare tariff periods and fixed fees](https://electricitycostbystate.com/rate-plan-calculator/) · [Hot-tub energy](https://electricitycostbystate.com/cost-to-run/hot-tub/)