Single-speed pumps run at one RPM. VSPs scale to match flow needs.
North Texas brings its own variables: oak pollen for six weeks, calcium-rich source water, sub-freezing nights every winter, and summers that crank chemistry usage. The advice below is calibrated for those realities, not a generic national pool blog.
The numbers
- Typical single-speed @ 1.5HP: ~1.85 kW running 8h/day
- VSP @ optimal RPM: ~0.35 kW for the same circulation
- At $0.14/kWh: ~$60/month savings
- Payback at typical install cost: 18–30 months
Verify the install includes proper RPM scheduling — many techs install a VSP and run it at full speed, wasting most of the savings.