What is a variable speed swimming pool filtration pump?



What is a variable speed swimming pool filtration pump?

The variable speed filtration pump is a significant development in the world of family swimming pools. The different speeds allow use in line with the power requirement for the different functions of the pump: filtration, cleaning, diffusion of treatment products, etc. What is a swimming pool filtration pump at variable speeds? What are the different speeds for and when to use them?

Why choose a variable speed filtration pump for the swimming pool?

This filtration pump has two or three speeds: one low power and one or two higher intensity. The filtration pump thus adapts its flow rate and power to the work required of it. It creates more or less significant flow variations depending on the use of the pool.

Three types of filtration pumps are offered:

  • the most efficient is the pump with a permanent magnet motor;
  • the multi-speed pump has 2 or 3 fixed speeds, a single motor with double or triple winding and finally,
  • the classic pump equipped with a frequency variator. This last model tends to heat up when it is at low speed and a risk of premature aging is possible.
What are the advantages of slow speed for the swimming pool filtration pump?

When the slow speed is turned on, the water circulation rate is low and requires little power.

The electrical consumption of the device is then lower and generates serious savings on the energy bill. The estimate is in the order of 40 to 80%. Compared to a single-speed pump, savings can be up to 90%.

The water is filtered and treated 24 hours a day. This allows for better water balance and continuous diffusion of treatment products. Ideal if the processing is automatic.

As the flow rate is lower, the pool water passes through the filter more slowly. The finest impurities are better retained in the filter mass; the pool is cleaner and healthier.

The slow speed of filtration allows the heat pump to heat the water over a long period, and at lower cost. The water temperature is reached more quickly.

When to use the slow speed of the swimming pool filtration pump?

The “smallest” speed is used when the pool is clean without algae without constraints or complications, when the number of swimmers is low, but also at night or for active wintering. This mode of operation is ideal when there are prolonged absences and the swimming pool is not used: weekends, holidays, etc.

What is the use of faster speeds for the swimming pool filtration pump?

This type of filtration pump can have a slow speed and one or two more powerful complementary speeds. The highest speed is equivalent to the power of a single speed pump.

The more speeds there are, the more the flow and power are adapted to the different “jobs” imposed on the filtration pump. Thanks to variable speeds, depending on the effort produced by this equipment, electricity consumption is optimized.

When to use the variable speed filtration pump?

When the filtration pump has two speeds, the more powerful one takes care of all the other tasks that the slow speed cannot accomplish properly: making the hydraulic robot cleaner or the manual broom work more efficiently and quickly; turn on the fountains and jets; circulate the water more intensively. Its higher flow rate allows it to catch up with green, milky water or water polluted by a gust of wind for example. It also combines the functions of third gear.

The third speed of the filtration pump, when it exists, is the most powerful. It comes into operation to clean the filter, for example, or to boost the treatment of the swimming pool when the use of the swimming pool is intense, or when the weather conditions are extreme (storm, heatwave, etc.). It is also used to operate the spa or counter-current swimming.



The variable speed filtration pump is a valuable aid for tailor-made pool cleanliness and disinfection. The water is crystal clear and healthy for the greatest satisfaction of the owners. Less energy intensive, it is more respectful of the environment while providing much appreciated comfort to bathers.



Knowing what is the role of the swimming pool filtration pump will help you understand the importance of this device for your swimming pool installation. Also learn what are the characteristics of a swimming pool filtration pump and what are the elements that constitute the swimming pool filtration pump to better understand how the swimming pool filtration pump works. Finally, find out what are the advantages of the variable speed swimming pool filtration pump to help you choose the pump best suited to your pool.


Did you like this article? Share it with your friends and acquaintances on your favorite network.

Ask us for advice

Our team of experts will help you identify the needs suited to your project and will call you back free of charge within 24 hours.