Replace old inefficient pump with new more efficient pump

[TonyG]

First off, I must say I am new to the pool thing. I recently bought a house with a pool. It has an old 1 hp pump. I have no idea how old it is and it is very loud also. I would like to replace the pump with a new efficient pump. But there are so many choices.... are there any rules of thumb or any advice on narrowing the choices?
thanks

[PoolDoc]

Hi Tony;

Loud pumps are approaching the end of their life, but are pretty unpredictable: it *might* die next week OR next year! We can help narrow the choices, but we need info to do so.

1. Send photos of your existing pump, filter and especially, piping to poolforum@gmail.com, and I'll post them. Be especially careful to get photos of the pipes where they come out of the ground. If you can, include a note ID'g each pipe.

2. Tell us whether you are on a tight budget, or have some room to maneuver. A new motor & seal, can be less than $200 if you DIY, but a replacement filter matched to a high efficiency variable speed pump can easily reach $2,000.

3. Have you had a pool before? If so, tell us what is most important to you -- crystal clear water, ease of maintenance, etc.

4. Let us know if there are any water discharge restrictions in your location. A sand filter will have to be backwashed several times each season, and will dump 200 - 300 gallons of dirty -- maybe greenish -- water SOMEWHERE, each time. If that's not possible, than you have to rule out sand filters, even though they are the most durable and the lowest maintenance.

5. Let us know if you have any OTHER equipment -- solar heaters, pool heater, spa, fountain, etc -- OR intend to add such things.

[Watermom]

A sand filter will have to be backwashed several times each season, and will dump 200 - 300 gallons of dirty -- maybe greenish -- water SOMEWHERE, each time.

HUH?? When I backwash my sand filter, I would guess I lose no more than 50 gallons (high estimate) of water each time. I usually backwash for a minute or maybe a minute and a half.

[PoolDoc]

In-ground pool with a 1HP pump => probably 40GPM or more on backwash.

5 minute backwash (mfg standard) at 45 GPM = 225 gallons

Watermom, your pool has a smaller pump (1HP AG pumps < 1HP IG pumps) and smaller filter, BUT I'd bet if you look at flow, you STILL are dumping more than 50 gallons.

[Watermom]

I have a full-rated 1/2 hp inground pump on my AG pool with a 200 lb. sand filter. I don't think I have ever backwashed for 5 minutes. 1 to 1-1/2 minutes is more like it.