Repair or Replace Your Pool Pump in Las Vegas?

In Las Vegas and Henderson, repair your pool pump if it's under about 8 years old and the problem is a part like a seal, capacitor or lid O-ring. Replace it if the motor is failing on an older single-speed pump, because federal rules since July 19, 2021 mean most full-size inground replacement pumps sold today are variable-speed, and NV Energy says variable-speed pumps use up to 65% less energy. Winter is the best time to decide, since the pump runs fewer hours and nobody's pool is turning green while you wait for parts.

Pump making a new noise? Text us a short video at (702) 608-5226 and we'll tell you what we hear.

How do you know your pool pump is failing?

Most pumps tell you before they quit. In the Las Vegas Valley, the common warning signs are a loud grinding or screeching motor, water dripping under the pump, a motor that hums but won't start, or a breaker that keeps tripping.

Here's what those usually mean:

• Screeching or grinding: worn motor bearings.
• Water under the pump: a failed shaft seal or a cracked housing.
• Humming but not spinning: often a bad start capacitor, sometimes a seized motor.
• Air bubbles in the pump basket: a leaky lid O-ring or a suction-side leak.
• Tripping the breaker: a shorted motor or a wiring problem. Turn it off and call someone.

A pump that sounds like a coffee grinder at 6 a.m. isn't a personality quirk. It's asking for help.

What pool pump problems are worth repairing?

Seals, O-rings, capacitors, lids and baskets are almost always worth repairing. These are small parts, and a quick fix can buy a healthy pump several more years.

Shaft seals take a beating here. Our hard water leaves calcium on everything, and a pump that runs dry because the water dropped below the skimmer can cook a seal fast. Catch a dripping seal early and it's a small repair. Let it drip into the motor and the bearings go next.

When does it make more sense to replace the pump?

Replace the pump when the motor itself is failing on an older unit, when the housing is cracked, or when you're stacking repairs year after year. Pumps don't last forever, and long Henderson and Las Vegas summers, 110-degree equipment pads and hard water wear them out faster.

We also look at what the pump costs to run. An old single-speed pump runs at full blast every minute it's on. That's like driving to the grocery store at 90 mph because the car only has one speed.

Our rule of thumb: if a repair costs close to half of a new pump, and the old one is single-speed and past 8 years, put that money toward a replacement.

Can you still buy a single-speed pool pump?

Mostly no, for a typical inground pool. The U.S. Department of Energy's pool pump standards apply to pumps made or imported on or after July 19, 2021. According to Jandy, a major pump maker, all variable-speed pumps meet the standard, while most single- and two-speed pumps rated 1.0 total horsepower or more don't.

Pentair's DOE guide puts it plainly. If your old pump is a large self-priming single-speed, the replacement can't be another single-speed. The rule doesn't force you to replace a pump that's working. It only kicks in when you replace it.

So "just put the same one back" usually isn't an option anymore. That's not a bad thing, as the next section shows.

How much can a variable-speed pump save in Las Vegas?

NV Energy's southern Nevada pool pump fact sheet says variable-speed pumps use up to 65% less energy and can save up to $445 a year, and that on average the pump pays for itself after about three years. Those savings figures are based on NV Energy's residential prices from April 2020, so your number will depend on today's rates and how long you run the pump.

The reason is simple physics. A pump running at half speed uses a small fraction of the power it uses at full speed. Variable-speed pumps let you run long and slow, which also filters the water better.

They also let you program different speeds for different times. If you're on a time-of-use plan, we can set the heavy cleaning cycle outside the expensive hours. We covered that in our post on NV Energy's demand charge and your pool pump.

Replacing an old pump? Call or text (702) 608-5226 and we'll look at your equipment and give you a straight answer on repair vs. replace.

Why is winter the best time to fix or replace a pool pump?

Winter is the slow season for pool equipment in the Las Vegas Valley. Your pump runs fewer hours, the water is cold, and algae grows slowly, so a day or two of downtime doesn't hurt much.

Compare that to July. A pump that dies at 112 degrees can turn a pool green in a few days, and every pool company in town is booked out. Waiting until spring is a bit like buying sunscreen at the airport. You'll get it, but you'll pay for the timing.

One more winter thing: freeze protection. Many variable-speed pumps have a built-in freeze mode that turns the pump on when the air gets near freezing. Make sure it's set up before the cold nights in December and January.

What does a pump replacement involve?

A typical pump swap takes a few hours. We shut off power, replace the pump, adjust the plumbing to fit, connect the wiring, then program the speeds and run times for your pool and your schedule.

The programming is the part people skip. A variable-speed pump set to run on high all day saves you nothing. Set right, it's quiet enough that you'll wonder if it's on.

Need help deciding?

We repair and replace pool pumps across Henderson and Las Vegas, and our weekly service customers get their equipment checked every visit, so problems get caught early.

New customers get 50% off the first month of weekly service (site inspection required). Call or text us at (702) 608-5226, open 24/7, or request a quote at summitpoolslv.com.