New pump

[im45us]

I am looking at a new pump for a 15ft round pool. I am looking at a 1 hp Hayward Matrix pump. Is it worth it to go to a 2 speed pump? Not much more money. Any other recommendations.

[mas985]

Most people save quite a bit with a two speed pump. Low speed uses about 1/4 the power as high speed although you need to run it twice as long for the same filtering. So overall, low speed should save about 50% over high speed. However, you may find that you will still need to run at high speed for a couple of hours a day so the skimmers can work better.

[AnnaK]

I have a 2-speed which runs 8 hours during the night (a 45% rate reduction in my area) on low. I use the high setting only to backwash/rinse and when I vacuum.

I installed a PoolSkim which does an excellent job of collecting the big stuff: leaves, bugs, pollen, dog hair. I put a skimmer sock in the skimmer basket to catch the fine debris. With this method I vacuum at most once a month.

We've not noticed an appreciable increase on our power bill since we got the pool.

[Watermom]

I think a 1hp pump is too big for your pool. I have a 24ft AG. When I replaced my pump a couple of years ago, Al (Poconos) who is our resident pump expert around here, picked out a 1/2 hp fullrated inground pump for my pool and it has worked great. When it comes to pool pumps, bigger is NOT better.

(My original pump was a 1hp BTW.)

[aylad]

I think 1 HP is overkill for a 15 foot pool. That's what I have on my 18 x 36 IG. The other problem you may run into with a 1 HP pump is overpowering the filter--it's MUCH better to have an oversized filter for the pump size than vice-versa.

Janet

[CarlD]

Trying to make it into a giant jacuzzi?

A 1/2 hp uprated pump is pretty much overkill on your pool. If you could find a 1/4 or 1/3 hp you'd have more than you'd EVER need.

I run a 1hp full-rated 2 speed on my 16x40 and run it on low speed most of the time. I wouldn't go any higher and I have 20,000 gallons and you have, at most 5,000.

[im45us]

I understand that a 1 hp is too big for my pool but if I want a 2 speed pump I have to get a 1 hp. I really want to get a Hayward unless there are some other good options.

[CarlD]

There ARE 3/4 hp 2 speed pumps but you really don't need a two speed if you have a 1/2 or 1/3 hp pump.

But it's your pool. You can put a 2 1/2 hp pump and 600# sand filter if you like. We can only suggest and recommend.