Thanks to all who replied. Thanks entirely to you guys here at TFP, I have decided to move to SWCG for chlorine. Here's more information for your opinions if you wish to express them. Pentair and the local installer both recommend the IC40 for a 15k gallon pool. The Pentair guy specifically said "for Texas" (clearly he's not from here, or he'd know that southeast Texas, west Texas, central Texas, North Texas, and the Panhandle are very different year-round climates.) The installer who is located about a mile from me, is familiar with the location and pool. From my reading here, I had concluded the difference in cost, plus no other downside, makes the IC60 a good idea. I have quotes now on both. Except for the cell itself, they are the same (I've rounded the cents here):
Intellichlor Power Center $566
Misc PVC Fittings $30
Labor $195
IC40 $979 or IC60 $1,369
Total IC40 $1,900 or Total IC60 $2,322
Since there is both plumbing and electrical involved here, there are probably City of Katy permits and inspections. There were two or three for my water softener, several for the standby generator, and probably 20 for the original pool construction (by the time the pool was done, I knew all the inspectors' names and family histories!) Nonetheless, I found this a bit more than I had expected, especially the IC60 difference, although neither, obviously, are going to break the bank. Also, I wonder why the installer was reluctant to even quote the IC60. Initially they were just going to send the IC40 quote, and I had to convince Melissa to quote the IC60 as well. It seems to me that they must make more off the IC60, so why not suggest it? OTOH, if the installer genuinely believes the IC40 is right for me, and he doesn't want to cause me to spend more than necessary, that's good. Or maybe he doesn't want to scare me away by breaking the $2,000 threshold?
I know I should, in the interest of cost, get another quote. However, this is an authorized Pentair and Paramount warranty service provider. They were not part of the pool construction (they build pools, but not in Katy), but they've provided warranty service already once and did a minor Paramount upgrade at a fair price. The guy who does the work is very knowledgeable and helpful, plus is willing to listen to my ideas...and he is a Texas boy whose only language is English.
Any comments? If so, thanks. If not, thanks for all the information you've provided!