I'm hoping to get some good advice here . . .
My 15+ year old Hayward MaxFlo 1 HP motor started humming and tripping the breaker. In Feb., I called a Pro and he said to leave it since it did eventually turn on and sounded ok. Now it is also leaking. (I figured out myself that it is the capacitor and would need a seal kit at a minimum). Due to it's age I figured I should maybe replace it with a variable speed. I have spoken with several Pro's and have NO confidence (Say they are licensed when they are not, some don't have a license). I've received conflicting information and installation/mark-up costs seem excessive. It also seems that I would have to hire someone to reset the darn thing to make sure it doesn't get set too high and damage my filter since they want to sell me a Pentair 3HP Intelliflo. I feel like it will cost be money in service calls to set the thing.
First, I am unable to calculate any cost savings with manufacturer's on-line calculators. I am on a time-of-use electric program and pay much lower rates during certain times of the day. 2-3 months in the summer it seems I need to run my pump almost 24 hrs a day or I have problems with green algae. Other than that, I run it during off-peak hours where electric rates are .721 cents/kwh. It can be as high as .22 for 8 hours a day in July and August. I haven't sat down and performed the actual calculations yet based upon these rates and the hours I run my pump YET. But, a Hayward Superpump costs $379 on amazon and I can install it myself. Looks like a variable speed (most Pros are pushing the Pentair Intelliflo 3HP) which will run $1400. The Pentair Superflo VS would cost $1000.00. The $621 to $1021 price difference is an awful lot of electricity on a product with a 2-3 year warranty, NOT including labor!
I am also concerned that they are trying to sell me a 3 HP motor which is way too big for my filter (Hayward with a flow rating of 62 GPM). I am told they turn the variable speed pump down but that saves A LOT of electricity. If it got turned up, it could damage my filter. I am told the Pentair 1.5 HP Superflo, which is still higher than what I have, would have to run at medium and high, and wouldn't save as much electricity. This doesn't make sense to me.
So I'm thinking of replacing my pump with another single speed, but because the pros are telling me that the pump is undersized for my pool, I was thinking of going to a 1.5 HP. But then I read that might be too big for my system. Hayward Sand Filter Pro Series, Filtration 20 GPM/ft2, Flow Rate 62 GPM, Max Pressure 50 psi. I'm trying to find a site that tells me how to calculate the head and just figure everything out for myself. I have 30,000 gal pool, 1.5" inflow/outflow pipes.
I'm so frustrated dealing with these "Professionals"! And no one will give a written quote!!!!!! These guys want
Should I replace with single speed 1 HP or 1.5 HP? Or am I missing something on the variable speed pumps that take 20 years to recoup the cost on a product that's only warrantied for 2-3 years?
My 15+ year old Hayward MaxFlo 1 HP motor started humming and tripping the breaker. In Feb., I called a Pro and he said to leave it since it did eventually turn on and sounded ok. Now it is also leaking. (I figured out myself that it is the capacitor and would need a seal kit at a minimum). Due to it's age I figured I should maybe replace it with a variable speed. I have spoken with several Pro's and have NO confidence (Say they are licensed when they are not, some don't have a license). I've received conflicting information and installation/mark-up costs seem excessive. It also seems that I would have to hire someone to reset the darn thing to make sure it doesn't get set too high and damage my filter since they want to sell me a Pentair 3HP Intelliflo. I feel like it will cost be money in service calls to set the thing.
First, I am unable to calculate any cost savings with manufacturer's on-line calculators. I am on a time-of-use electric program and pay much lower rates during certain times of the day. 2-3 months in the summer it seems I need to run my pump almost 24 hrs a day or I have problems with green algae. Other than that, I run it during off-peak hours where electric rates are .721 cents/kwh. It can be as high as .22 for 8 hours a day in July and August. I haven't sat down and performed the actual calculations yet based upon these rates and the hours I run my pump YET. But, a Hayward Superpump costs $379 on amazon and I can install it myself. Looks like a variable speed (most Pros are pushing the Pentair Intelliflo 3HP) which will run $1400. The Pentair Superflo VS would cost $1000.00. The $621 to $1021 price difference is an awful lot of electricity on a product with a 2-3 year warranty, NOT including labor!
I am also concerned that they are trying to sell me a 3 HP motor which is way too big for my filter (Hayward with a flow rating of 62 GPM). I am told they turn the variable speed pump down but that saves A LOT of electricity. If it got turned up, it could damage my filter. I am told the Pentair 1.5 HP Superflo, which is still higher than what I have, would have to run at medium and high, and wouldn't save as much electricity. This doesn't make sense to me.
So I'm thinking of replacing my pump with another single speed, but because the pros are telling me that the pump is undersized for my pool, I was thinking of going to a 1.5 HP. But then I read that might be too big for my system. Hayward Sand Filter Pro Series, Filtration 20 GPM/ft2, Flow Rate 62 GPM, Max Pressure 50 psi. I'm trying to find a site that tells me how to calculate the head and just figure everything out for myself. I have 30,000 gal pool, 1.5" inflow/outflow pipes.
I'm so frustrated dealing with these "Professionals"! And no one will give a written quote!!!!!! These guys want
Should I replace with single speed 1 HP or 1.5 HP? Or am I missing something on the variable speed pumps that take 20 years to recoup the cost on a product that's only warrantied for 2-3 years?
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