Why is my PB tying to talk me out of 2 speed?

[CarlD]

Get one with a simple idiot switch on the pump housing so he doesn't have to do any special wiring.

The cost of a 2-speed will pay for itself before you know it. Low speed is quiet, money-saving, efficient and capable of doing everything but vacuuming and backwashing. It can run twice as long and cost 1/3 as much to run that long as the full speed.

You will NEVER regret installing a 2 speed pump!

[MarkC]

I second the idiot switch on the pump. It works fine and it will be on low 95% of the time. I use high for priming and when the pool opens in the spring. SOOOOO quiet.

[tphaggerty]

My PB talked me out of a 2 speed as well. Now I am putting in one. Stick to your guns. I think PBs are used to doing what they do, one or two pumps, one or two filters, that's it. Much easier for them to order, warehouse, install and service.

Your PB will probably have to order or find the pump you want - that is more work! The is NO downside to having a 2 speed pump, except the extra 100 or so it will cost, even if you only wire it for single speed now, at least you have the option in the future. Most states are moving towards requiring 2 speed pumps (or variable speed pumps like an Ikeric), your PB might as well get used to it.

[mas985]

The numbers don't lie.

Not sure what pump you are considering so I will use a Whisperflow as an example.

Assumptions:

1.5 HP Whisperflow full rated 2 speed pump: http://www.poolplaza.com/WhisperFlo-techspecs.shtml
8.8 amps single speed pump (2.0 kw)
10 amps high speed two speed pump (2.3 kw)
3.5 amps low speed two speed pump (0.8 kw)
60 feet of head loss on high speed
15 feet of head loss on low speed (1/4 of high speed)

Results:
High/Single Speed flow rate = 100 GPM
Low speed flow rate = 50 GPM
High/Single Speed turnover = 5 hours
Low speed turnover = 10 hours

Assuming 2 turnovers per day and 30 days in the month,
Single speed energy usage per month = 600 kwh
High speed energy usage per month = 680 kwh
Low speed energy usage per month = 480 kwh

Energy usage difference between single and low speed is 120 kwh per month. Depending on your rates, mine are quite high, this will add up. At $0.20 per kwh, my average rate, this is $24 of savings per month. Assuming a two speed is $200 more than a one speed, the pay off is in less than 9 months. Even if your rates are half of mine, that is still only 18 months.

[CarlD]

I have a Hayward 1hp SuperPump 2 speed. I'm not sure of the numbers, but the results are similar. At half the flow it runs twice as long, but that "twice as long" costs half as much.

Plus, sand filters filter MUCH better when they are running well under capacity. So at low speed your filter will work better (if it's sand-and mine is.).

[borrott]

Yes to a 2 speed no downside, and if you are in s california edison are offering a $250 REBATE with a controller for a 2 sreed.