Pump Efficiency

[chem geek]

From what I've read, the IntelliFlow 4x160 has the same efficiency (pump curves and electrical consumption) as the more expensive IntelliFlow in spite of what this comparison says about efficiency savings. Other than some bells and whistles, it comes down to whether you control speed or flow. If you have a filter or other parts of your system that change over time, then controlling for flow is more efficient (and probably accounts for the "up to 90%" number). In my case, I have a cartridge filter that barely registers a 1 PSI increase over each year of use and I clean it every year (my electric opaque pool cover keeps out junk that normally clogs filters much faster). Therefore, for me, the 4x160 looks like the best buy (thank you Big_D for the great advice). I can use the Pentair IntelliComm to connect my already existing solar controller to switch pump speeds at the same time that it switches the existing automated valve to turn on/off the solar. That just leaves the pool sweep pump as something that might be able to be replaced as a 3rd speed plus another automated valve (though the high GPM requirement might not be compatible going through the solar so perhaps a separate bypass pump is still the best way to go). [EDIT] I just saw that I can replace my Letro Legend with a Legend II that does not need a booster pump, so I could probably just have a higher 3rd speed that isn't too high for the solar (max 8 GPM per panel so I could go up to 96 GPM and I'm sure the Letro II won't need that much anyway) and away I go...one more pump to hurl out of the pump house - YEAH! NO! I just called Pentair and the Legend II that claims to not need a booster pump in fact does require 50 PSI pressure (at a low GPM) where they normally recommend a 1.5 HP pump and I can't nor shouldn't put that kind of pressure through the rest of my system. So it looks like a 3/4 HP pool booster pump is required for using a pressure cleaner. Perhaps I should look at a vacuum cleaner instead (Kreepy Krawly, etc.) [END-EDIT]

One more thing I should try doing and that is to lower my turnover rate, at least when the solar is off (because the solar requires a certain flow rate for efficiency and that results in 5.6 hour turnover). I've never done the experiment of reducing pump time until the water starts to get slightly cloudy to see what the minimum turnovers per day really should be. I'll bet I could have the solar off turnover be 8 hours (one turnover per day) with no problems. Ka-ching, ka-ching, I can hear the money being saved already.

I think I'm getting a decent handle on this and I have options. Inexpensively scale down my pump to 3/4 or 1/2 HP depending on energy efficiency ratings or get the Pentair Intelliflow 4x160 and IntelliComm for higher upfront cost, but probably much greater savings. I'm leaning towards the latter, but I'm definitely going to do something because the electricity costs are out of this world and not going to get any better. And I'm getting excited about making the change (always a good sign).

Richard