Pump too big for pool, read some posts on reducing flow with ball valve

[mas985]

Nicole,

Actually, you can put the valve at anypoint after the pump. Head loss is additive and does not really matter where it occurs. Any restriction affects the entire flow path GPM so find an easy place to put it in the return path. However, if you place it after the filter, you can more easily adjust the flow by watching the filter PSI rise. You do not need to worry about pump damage as long as you keep the PSI rise to less than 10 and the total rise to less than pump maximum, usually 35 PSI but I would not exceed 25 PSI. Note that the restriction PSI is similar to puting solar in.

[eljefe281]

nicole,

I don't know how much you pay for electricity, but I'm guessing that it's not cheap up there in MA.

Considering the cost of the new valve being talked about and the unnecessary horsepower being used, you'll probably be money ahead if you replace the pump now.

Of course, cash availability is always a consideration...

[cleancloths]

When you throttle a pump on the discharge you lower its HP draw as well.

[Poconos]

Actually what is happening when you restrict the flow on the output side of the pump is to increase the pressure, reduce the flow, and thus reduce the work that the pump has to supply. The reduced work load, i.e. moving water, results in a slight decrease in power consumption. Opposite to what may seem intuitive. These comments apply to centrifugal pumps only, which all pool pumps are as far as I know. I agree that in the long run the cheapest option is to replace the pump.
Al