Dual speed pumps - how essential?

[Ticojpunk]

I've got a single speed Hayward pump that came with my AGP package from my local pool store.
I've read a lot of things that highly recommend a dual speed pump. How essential is this? Or just keep on keepin on with what I've got, and when it eventually needs replacement, look in to dual speed pumps?

Advantages I can see maybe are for my heater, as the heater they sold me with the pool is probably slightly underpowered (in terms of recommended flow) for my pump speed. So a slower flow could give me better heat transfer. Not sure how the math works out on higher flow, less heat in the water being returned, but more of it vs lower flow, more heat in the water, but less of it.

Other than that, money savings?

 

[Texas Splash]

It's primarily about money savings. A little bit about water flow flexibility. Your season may be shorter than some, so not an immediate concern, but in the future definitely swap it out.

 

[mas985]

I've got a single speed Hayward pump that came with my AGP package from my local pool store.
I've read a lot of things that highly recommend a dual speed pump. How essential is this? Or just keep on keepin on with what I've got, and when it eventually needs replacement, look in to dual speed pumps?

Because of DOE regulations, dual speed pumps above a certain size are no longer manufactured so you may not have a choice. It is either a VS pump or a very small single/dual speed pump.

Pump DOE Regulations - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

However, you may be able to find a replacement motor for your existing pump.

Advantages I can see maybe are for my heater, as the heater they sold me with the pool is probably slightly underpowered (in terms of recommended flow) for my pump speed. So a slower flow could give me better heat transfer. Not sure how the math works out on higher flow, less heat in the water being returned, but more of it vs lower flow, more heat in the water, but less of it.

Lower flow rate results in worse heater efficiency.