I have another more generic thread on this topic, but wanted to get some input specifically on the applicability of a VS pump in my pool.
As background, I'm replacing all of my pool pad equipment (old, worn out, noisy, leaking, etc.) in my ~25K gunnite pool / spillover spa pool. I will also be adding solar, and I am planning to use SWCG. The pool has a 1.5" main drain and 2 x 1.5" skimmers, and two returns (from a single 1.5" pipe) with eyeballs. It also has a dedicated 1.5" line for a pool cleaner (haven't decided whether I want pressure or vacuum yet). The spa has a 2" main drain and 5 jets from a 2" line, plus an air blower. The solar will be about 10' up and about 50' from the pad. And some basic automation will be implemented.
The current pump is 1.5HP, but is leaking, and screaming, and old and not terribly effective. So I can't tell much from what's installed. Electricity here is about $0.09/kwh.
I have been leaning towards a VS pump, since:
1) I don't believe a two speed pump on low will support the solar, and suspect it will run on solar a good bit of the time given the average temperatures and my preference for warmer water.
2) I'm also not sure it will support SWCG on low (to get the necessary flow rates).
3) And both together would be more of a challenge (I am guessing).
4) I would like more "oomph" for the spa mode.
5) I have no idea what two speed pump I should get because I can't effectively measure head with the current system issues.
My options really are get a VS pump (ePump or IntelliFlo), OR get a ~1HP 2 speed pump (knowing I will run it on high most of the time) and separate jet pump (which gets me right back to the same relative cost as a VS pump), OR get a single ~2HP 2 speed pump and hope it supports SWCG and solar on low. The latter is most risky, but least cost.
Thoughts?
As background, I'm replacing all of my pool pad equipment (old, worn out, noisy, leaking, etc.) in my ~25K gunnite pool / spillover spa pool. I will also be adding solar, and I am planning to use SWCG. The pool has a 1.5" main drain and 2 x 1.5" skimmers, and two returns (from a single 1.5" pipe) with eyeballs. It also has a dedicated 1.5" line for a pool cleaner (haven't decided whether I want pressure or vacuum yet). The spa has a 2" main drain and 5 jets from a 2" line, plus an air blower. The solar will be about 10' up and about 50' from the pad. And some basic automation will be implemented.
The current pump is 1.5HP, but is leaking, and screaming, and old and not terribly effective. So I can't tell much from what's installed. Electricity here is about $0.09/kwh.
I have been leaning towards a VS pump, since:
1) I don't believe a two speed pump on low will support the solar, and suspect it will run on solar a good bit of the time given the average temperatures and my preference for warmer water.
2) I'm also not sure it will support SWCG on low (to get the necessary flow rates).
3) And both together would be more of a challenge (I am guessing).
4) I would like more "oomph" for the spa mode.
5) I have no idea what two speed pump I should get because I can't effectively measure head with the current system issues.
My options really are get a VS pump (ePump or IntelliFlo), OR get a ~1HP 2 speed pump (knowing I will run it on high most of the time) and separate jet pump (which gets me right back to the same relative cost as a VS pump), OR get a single ~2HP 2 speed pump and hope it supports SWCG and solar on low. The latter is most risky, but least cost.
Thoughts?