- Apr 27, 2009
- 42
I am considering replacing my circulation pump to the Pentair Intelliflo VF pump. I am currently running a Pentair Whisperflo 1HP full rated pump. Here are the particulars of my current system:
15,000 gallon in-ground pool
Pump run time - 4 to 6 hours/day, depending upon the season
No solar
SWG
Hayward Navigator vacuum
Intellitouch control system
Electricity cost - $0.35 to $0.40 per kWh (that number is correct, I am in So Cal)
Using the Pentair energy calculation on their website, at 6 hours/day, I am currently turning the water over about 1.5x per day. This sounds about right to me. This equates to 62.5 gpm. The calculator also indicates that the Intelliflo could achieve a full turnover in 5 hours, or a 1.5 turnover in 7.5 hours.
The Pentair specs indicate that my current pump is drawing about 1.6 kW, compared to the Intelliflo VF, which would run at 0.3 kW (according to the Pentair energy calculator). For the 1.5 turnover per day usage scenario, I could save $900 per year!!
Questions for anyone who has experience with this pump:
1. Do the flow rates and energy usages above seem reasonable? Can this pump really deliver 50 gpm at 0.3 kW? I know this will depend on the plumbing, but chem geek posted some results in another post where he was getting about 30 gpm at 300 W. I am running 2" plumbing, with a very large cartridge filter, heater, and a 50-60 foot level run of piping to the pool.
2. I have seen some reports of problems with the "intelligence" of the Intelliflo VF. Priming issues, warnings, etc. Are these real issues, or just operator error or just one-time set up issues? I don't want to spend $1500 for a pump only to have ongoing operational issues.
3. I was considering the Intelliflo VS as well, but it's only $200 or so cheaper, and has only four speeds. Is there any real reason to consider this pump instead?
15,000 gallon in-ground pool
Pump run time - 4 to 6 hours/day, depending upon the season
No solar
SWG
Hayward Navigator vacuum
Intellitouch control system
Electricity cost - $0.35 to $0.40 per kWh (that number is correct, I am in So Cal)
Using the Pentair energy calculation on their website, at 6 hours/day, I am currently turning the water over about 1.5x per day. This sounds about right to me. This equates to 62.5 gpm. The calculator also indicates that the Intelliflo could achieve a full turnover in 5 hours, or a 1.5 turnover in 7.5 hours.
The Pentair specs indicate that my current pump is drawing about 1.6 kW, compared to the Intelliflo VF, which would run at 0.3 kW (according to the Pentair energy calculator). For the 1.5 turnover per day usage scenario, I could save $900 per year!!
Questions for anyone who has experience with this pump:
1. Do the flow rates and energy usages above seem reasonable? Can this pump really deliver 50 gpm at 0.3 kW? I know this will depend on the plumbing, but chem geek posted some results in another post where he was getting about 30 gpm at 300 W. I am running 2" plumbing, with a very large cartridge filter, heater, and a 50-60 foot level run of piping to the pool.
2. I have seen some reports of problems with the "intelligence" of the Intelliflo VF. Priming issues, warnings, etc. Are these real issues, or just operator error or just one-time set up issues? I don't want to spend $1500 for a pump only to have ongoing operational issues.
3. I was considering the Intelliflo VS as well, but it's only $200 or so cheaper, and has only four speeds. Is there any real reason to consider this pump instead?