Do you want an energy-saving, environmentally friendly swimming pool? Do you wish you could easily estimate your energy and cost savings before purchasing a pool pump? The new weighted energy factor regulations coming from the Department of Energy (DOE) will make it even easier to do just that. We at Hayward Pool Products have created a quick guide on what you need to know about these upcoming changes and how they can benefit you. 

What is Weighted Energy Factor (WEF)?

WEF ratings are very similar to how we measure the efficiency of a car in miles per gallon (MPG). A WEF rating will allow you to see and compare the energy-efficiency of different pool pumps. The higher the WEF rating, the more efficient the pump. The Department of Energy teamed up with industry leaders to develop a new standard for testing pool pump efficiency which resulted in the Weighted Energy Factor (WEF) rating system. Hayward Industries is proud to be the authority of this energy-efficient initiative. Our pool pumps have the highest WEF ratings and are the most energy-efficient pool pumps on the market today. 

Why the change?

The WEF testing and labeling rules were created to make it easier for consumers and pool professionals to evaluate and compare the energy efficiency of pool pumps. Despite the fact that a pool pump can be the second largest energy consumption in a household after heating and air conditioning, there were no previous requirements for manufacturers to measure their pool pump’s energy efficiency. To date, the only pumps required to be tested for energy efficiency were those who voluntarily qualified and were listed in accordance with the ENERGY STAR® standard. Take a look at Hayward’s list of ENERGY STAR certified pool pumps here. Going forward, the DOE will be requiring all manufacturers to test pumps for energy-efficiency based on the WEF protocol. 

When is this change taking place? 

By July 19, 2021 all newly manufactured pool pumps that are included under the new rule must be tested and labeled with their WEF rating. Hayward Pool Products currently adheres to WEF testing and has the highest WEF rated pumps in the pool industry. Learn more about our energy-efficient pool pumps here. 

What does this mean for you?

• Ease of Purchase 
  • Because manufacturers will be required to label pumps with WEF ratings, you will now have the tools to easily evaluate and compare the energy-efficiency of new pool pumps. Luckily, Hayward makes purchasing even easier as we have some of the highest WEF rated pool pumps which means you can save more energy and money than you could with a comparable pool pump.

• Cost Savings 
  • By replacing inefficient pumps with more efficient models, the cost of running a pool pump could be reduced and a significant amount of energy could be saved, resulting in much lower monthly energy bills. For example, an ENERGY STAR certified pump can save thousands of dollars over the life of the product, paying for itself in less than two years.

• What should I look for when shopping for a new pool pump?
  • Let us help you choose from a variety of Hayward energy-saving pumps based on the size of your pool. 
  • Starting in 2021, pool pumps will be labeled with WEF ratings – remember, a higher number is better. 
  • Compare the WEF rating on a variety of pumps to understand the relative energy-efficiency of each product.
• Variable Speed Pumps save hundreds each month?  Yes, VS pumps are the way to go, my personal Tristar 950 operates at under 100watts on my small 10x30 pool. Here in Ontario that costs $10-$20 per month depending how often it needs to ramp up to activate the gas heater. Call us for details.