Recommendation on replacement pump

[KenP]

Hi, I have an old AquaFlo pump with a single speed 1.5 HP A.O. Smith (catalog B123) motor. My pool is 16000 gallons and the plumbing is 1.5" copper, 36 sq ft DE filer nothing else. I was thinking of going with a Pentair Intelliflo VS but I'm getting conflicting advise. The local pool store say's no problem all I need is an adapter to go from the 2" to 1.5" copper line. Others are saying I need to replace the copper plumbing.

Any advise. Who's ncorrect?

Ken ...

 

[JasonLion]

Welcome to TFP!

You can definitely use an IntelliFlo if you want to. You will need to configure it to have a fairly low top speed to protect the filter, but that is simple to do.

Getting an IntelliFlo isn't usually worth it unless your electric rates are fairly high, greater than $0.20/kwh. Below that it is usually more economical to get a small two speed pump.

Do you have any water features (spa, fountain, waterfall, etc)?

 

[KenP]

The only other thing I have is a polaris suction cleaner. I might hook up a solar heater down the road.

 

[KenP]

SCE rates go from $0.12 per KWH for Tier one to $0.31 per KWH for Tier five. If you think I should still go with a two speed which do you recommed?

 

[tomzo]

I have an intelliflo pump and love it. I can trim the speeds to just the right level and it is whisper quiet. You can find them on sale here and there on the web at a decent price.