Single Speed Pool Pumps: Runs at a single speed, 3450 rpm (revolutions per minute). Imagine if your car ran at 3450 rpm - all the time, and how much gas you would use! Dual Speed Pool Pumps: Have a fourth wire coming into the pump, the low speed wire. This allows you to run the pump on low speed for 8-16 hrs per day, and high speed for 4-8 hrs. Variable Speed Pool Pumps: Operates at many speeds, programmable and self-optimizing for the highest energy efficiency and greatest energy savings.