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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
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.
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
Some of the pump motors have a toggle switch on them that allows you switch from low to high. That's what mine has.
Thanks Mark,
Which setting do you use? Is "low" adequate in most circumstances?
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.
Thanks Carl,
In the summer on "low", how many hours a day do you usually run your Superpump?
Jon
Usually about 10 to 12 hours. Since it's so quiet and energy-efficient I don't worry about it running too much. I like to keep it running during daylight hour for the solar panels to keep the water warm, and about 2 hours in the night just to keep the water circulated if I added anything.
Very good... thanks. It arrives tomorrow. Hopefully the wiring will be easy. Can you believe it's 90 degrees here in SoCal! If I had your solar panels the kids would be in the pool today... in March even!
Thanks again,
Jon
I run my pump on low for everything but priming and spring cleanup after opening. 10 hours a day.
JWB, most, if not all, utilities require that there be an automatic control capable of controlling the 2-speed capacity of your pump installed along with the 2-speed pump. Without this you won't qualify for the rebate. While some 2-speed pumps may come with the toggle switch, I haven't seen one in many years. Get a reputable pro to do it.