Two-Speed Pump Considerations...

[JWB]

Hi,

My electric company is still offering a $200 rebate on two-speed pump installations so I think I'll replace a 20 year-old "watt-guzzling" single-speed dinosaur that came with the house. The pool is 16x32, 21000 gallons w/no spa. Current filter is a Pentair SMBW 2036 DE.

Would a 3/4 horsepower Hayward or Pentair be sufficent, or are there better brands?

Thanks,
Jon

[mas985]

A 3/4 HP should be more than enough assuming no water features or pressure/suction cleaner. You only need 45 GPM for an 8 hour turnover so you will get much more than that with a 3/4 HP.

Sta-Rite also makes a two-speed pump. I would stick with either Hayward, Pentair or Sta-Rite for high efficiency quality pumps.

[JWB]

Thanks for the reply...

I went ahead and ordered a Super Pump II 1HP (smallest HP on the SCE qualifying list). Question though...

Once connected, do two-speed pumps regulate the AC themselves or is it controlled elsewhere?

Thanks again,
Jon

[MarkC]

Some of the pump motors have a toggle switch on them that allows you switch from low to high. That's what mine has.

[JWB]

Thanks Mark,

Which setting do you use? Is "low" adequate in most circumstances?

[CarlD]

I have a 1hp Hayward Superpump and I run it on Lo 95% of the time, and I run solar panels as well.

If you have a sand filter, you will find it performs better as it has more time to trap junk.