Pool updates -- pumps, heat pump with LP heater, SWG

[Boston_Pool]

1960s pool that had a major revamp in the 90s with work done around 2021 as well. Pool is working, but I want to improve efficiency and gain greater control. Additionally more consistent warm temps versus turning on the propane heater is driving the desire for a heat pump.

Please provide any thoughts on my plan along with plumbing suggestions for the heat pump and SWG plumbing. Installer want the heat pump water to flow through the propane heater and then return to existing plumbing. I don't like the sounds of that but also want to add pipe to install a SWG.

The plan:

- Replace spa pump with 1.5hp Pentair Intelliflo VSP
- Replace pool pump with 3hp Pentair Intelliflo VSP
- Install a AquaCal SQ225 to the left of the propane heater (or another heat pump -- open to other brands). I would like a bypass to select which heater I want to use (propane or heat pump) or bypass the heaters all together -- confirmed I have enough power. NOTE: heater on the right is for the spa
- Install CircuPool RJ-60 PLUS after the heaters (right now there is no space and the return pipe goes back under the shed)

Pool Details:

44,000 gallon pool (fairly shaded)
Separate plumbed spa
Pool equipment is uphill from the pool
Location: Boston, MA area

 

[ajw22]

Pentair recommends water flowing first through the Heat Pump and then the gas heater...

 

[ajw22]

Jandy also recommends the HP before a gas heater.

 

[ajw22]

- Replace spa pump with 1.5hp Pentair Intelliflo VSP
- Replace pool pump with 3hp Pentair Intelliflo VSP

I want a 3 HP pump for the spa jets to have strong jet pressure.

I would go with two 3HP Intelliflo3 pumps.

- Install a AquaCal SQ225 to the left of the propane heater (or another heat pump -- open to other brands). I would like a bypass to select which heater I want to use (propane or heat pump) or bypass the heaters all together -- confirmed I have enough power. NOTE: heater on the right is for the spa

Aquacal is good. So is Built Right or Gulfstream.

Heat Pump Basics - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

- Install CircuPool RJ-60 PLUS after the heaters (right now there is no space and the return pipe goes back under the shed)

Circupool SWG - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Boston_Pool]

I want a 3 HP pump for the spa jets to have strong jet pressure.

I would go with two 3HP Intelliflo3 pumps.

You think a 3HP is needed for a spa? The gets are powered by an air pump.

 

[ajw22]

You think a 3HP is needed for a spa? The gets are powered by an air pump.

It all depends on the spa jet experience you desire.

You can always crank down a 3 HP to what you enjoy. You can't crank up the 1.5 HP if it disappoints.

 

[Boston_Pool]

It all depends on the spa jet experience you desire.

You can always crank down a 3 HP to what you enjoy. You can't crank up the 1.5 HP if it disappoints.

Can you tell me a little more about what you mean? Right now I just get a spa experience from air bubbles -- what would the increased HP add?

Really appreciate the feedback! Thanks

 

[Boston_Pool]

Jandy also recommends the HP before a gas heater.

View attachment 642752

View attachment 642751

Would it make sense to have each heater isolated with a valve, or allow the water to flow through the LP heater all summer?

 

[ajw22]

Can you tell me a little more about what you mean? Right now I just get a spa experience from air bubbles -- what would the increased HP add?

Really appreciate the feedback! Thanks

Greater massage pressure from the jets.

Can you run the spa water jets for massage without the air bubbles?

 

[ajw22]

Would it make sense to have each heater isolated with a valve, or allow the water to flow through the LP heater all summer?

I recommend a heater bypass be installed at each heater.

Heater Bypass - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Having two heaters will increase the “head” restriction and require increased pump speed and flow. Bypassing a heater when not in use will reduce the load on the pump.

 

[Boston_Pool]

I recommend a heater bypass be installed at each heater.

Heater Bypass - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Having two heaters will increase the “head” restriction and require increased pump speed and flow. Bypassing a heater when not in use will reduce the load on the pump.

Thanks! That was my feeling. But even with bypasses it seems like best practice is heat pump then LP.

 

[Boston_Pool]

Greater massage pressure from the jets.

Can you run the spa water jets for massage without the air bubbles?

Right now if the spa pump is on (single speed) -- the water in the spa circulates but doesn't really provide any benefits. The bubbles of course provide that (bubbles come out of the jets).

Downside of the bubbles is it is loud.

 

[ajw22]

it seems like best practice is heat pump then LP.

The thinking is the HP is the more energy efficient heater. Let the HP try and heat the water to target temperature.

If the HP cannot get the water to temperature then the gas heater can turn on and get the temperature the rest of the way.

 

[ajw22]

Right now if the spa pump is on (single speed) -- the water in the spa circulates but doesn't really provide any benefits. The bubbles of course provide that (bubbles come out of the jets).

Downside of the bubbles is it is loud.

Which pump feeds water to the spa jets!?

 

[Boston_Pool]

The thinking is the HP is the more energy efficient heater. Let the HP try and heat the water to target temperature.

If the HP cannot get the water to temperature then the gas heater can turn on and get the temperature the rest of the way.

Makes sense. So it doesn't totally matter if I am micromanaging it. I don't anticipate using the LP unless I want to warm the pool up significantly in the shoulder seasons.

Any thoughts on how to actually run the plumbing? My LP heater goes almost right down into the ground to the pool.

Which pump feeds water to the spa jets!?

My plan was 3HP for the pool and 1.5HP for the spa. Spa is a totally independent system from the pool. I made the mistake of buying the 1.5HP on sale and I think I'm over my head on how to install it given the tight space of my equipment in a shed. That being said, if the 3HP would provide a much better experience, I don't want to put the 1.5HP in.

 

[ajw22]

Any thoughts on how to actually run the plumbing? My LP heater goes almost right down into the ground to the pool.

It is complicated and will take work to replumb equipment correctly.

It takes some thought on site with laying out equipment and dry fitting pipes and valves and seeing how things fit and what the issues are.

My plan was 3HP for the pool and 1.5HP for the spa. Spa is a totally independent system from the pool. I made the mistake of buying the 1.5HP on sale and I think I'm over my head on how to install it given the tight space of my equipment in a shed. That being said, if the 3HP would provide a much better experience, I don't want to put the 1.5HP in.

You have a better chance of improving the spa experience with a 3 HP pump.

The new spa pump you bought was 1.5 HP.

What is the model and HP of the current spa pump?

 

[Boston_Pool]

It is complicated and will take work to replumb equipment correctly.

It takes some thought on site with laying out equipment and dry fitting pipes and valves and seeing how things fit and what the issues are.


You have a better chance of improving the spa experience with a 3 HP pump.

The new spa pump you bought was 1.5 HP.

What is the model and HP of the current spa pump?

Looks like I should have gone with a 3HP pump for the Spa... I currently hav have a sta-rite MPRA6G-155L Dyna-Glass which is 2hp from what I can see online. Most of the tags on the unit are pretty badly worn.

Currently at time the floor drain in the spa can be strong enough that there is spiral like you'd have in a drain or toilet. I play around with the balance between the main drain and small skimmer to try and get it balanced. There is a secondary floor drain to prevent entrapment.

I purchased an intelliflo 1.5HP

 

[Boston_Pool]

Aquacal is good. So is Built Right or Gulfstream.

I'm looking for great ROI on a heat pump. It seemed like Aquacal was ahead of the game but others have caught up. Thoughts?

I completely understand the Heat Pump limitations -- not looking for folks saying they don't work. I have the electricity to support a heat pump and want the pool "swim ready" more often. Thanks.

 

[ajw22]

I'm looking for great ROI on a heat pump. It seemed like Aquacal was ahead of the game but others have caught up. Thoughts?

Heat pumps are a commodity. Get one that has local service and support. Many companies who sell them do not service abd repair them.

I completely understand the Heat Pump limitations -- not looking for folks saying they don't work. I have the electricity to support a heat pump and want the pool "swim ready" more often. Thanks.

Heat pumps work fine if you run them as designed.