Current pool pump is a Pentair WhisperFlo 1.5 HP single speed. For all intents and purposes the pump is fine but the motor is showing its 7-year age. (1) Can I replace just the dying single-speed motor with a variable speed motor? (2) Is that even worth it, or does replacing the whole pump make that much difference?
Can I replace single speed motor with variable? Is it feasible?
- Thread starter internet
- Start date
- May 3, 2007
- 16,880
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
(1) Yes you can but you would need to change the impeller to a 1 HP impeller: A.O. Smith 1.65 HP Variable Speed Pool Pump Motor Square Flange - ECM16SQU - INYOPools.com
(2) For you it is probably worth it (CA rates). The pump wet doesn't add anything to efficiency. In fact the Intelliflo uses the same wet end as the Whisperflo WFE-12.
But you can save almost as much in energy costs with just a two speed motor: Century A.O. Smith B2983 56Y Square Flange 1-1/2 or 0.19 HP Dual Speed Full Rated Pool and Spa Pump Motor
So you have a couple of options.
(2) For you it is probably worth it (CA rates). The pump wet doesn't add anything to efficiency. In fact the Intelliflo uses the same wet end as the Whisperflo WFE-12.
But you can save almost as much in energy costs with just a two speed motor: Century A.O. Smith B2983 56Y Square Flange 1-1/2 or 0.19 HP Dual Speed Full Rated Pool and Spa Pump Motor
So you have a couple of options.
- May 3, 2007
- 16,880
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Still learning a bit about all of this. What does this mean: "The pump wet doesn't add anything to efficiency. In fact the Intelliflo uses the same wet end as the Whisperflo WFE-12." As this just saying that the only thing different between the IntelliFlo and WhisperFlo is the "dry end", aka the variable vs single speed motor?
Most variable speed pumps are just regular pumps with a variable speed motor instead of a single speed motor.
The IntelliFlo uses the 3 hp whisperflo with a 3 hp variable speed motor.
The IntelliFlo uses the 3 hp whisperflo with a 3 hp variable speed motor.
- May 3, 2007
- 16,880
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Yes! That is the only difference. And yes, it is the motor which improves efficiency. That is why a simple two speed motor can save over 75% in energy costs on low speed vs high speed.
There's also an IntelliFlo i1 model that uses a 1 hp impeller to make it a 1 hp variable speed pump.
This was made to address situations where the plumbing or wiring would be too small for a 3 hp model.
This was made to address situations where the plumbing or wiring would be too small for a 3 hp model.
Thanks for the input. Requested some more info from Inyo Pools. They seem really good about their support and whatnot. Any suggestions of other retailers check with? This is the first bit of actual equipment I'll be replacing, so I don't have a lot of experience on that end. Thanks!