Pool Heater specific pump - Recommendations?

[Gopherboy6956]

Hey Everyone - Just coming off my first season with a gas pool heater. Love it, worked as expected, and very happy. The only improvement I'd like to make is to get a seperate pump to move the water through the heater - my pool pump is a 1.5 Hayward, and while I'm happy with that for it's use, I don't want to use it when I don't need filtering it uses around 1,380w, which is more than I think is needed.

I can definitely plumb in another pump no problem, but I wanted to know if anyone had any recommendations on what would be a good, efficient option.

Thank you!

 

[wireform]

Why would you need another pump for the heater? I think you have too much pump for the pool size.

 

[mknauss]

Replace the motor on your existing pump with a VS motor. Then you can lower your flow rate from the pump to what is needed for your pool.

 

[Gopherboy6956]

Interesting -

I certainly might have too much pump for my 18'x52 pool, but Dang do I like the pressure and I have a few pcv plummed water features - so I'd rather have more than less.

My exact model is SP1515Z1BC

Power-Flo LX | Pumps | Above Ground Pool Pumps - Hayward Pool Products

Hayward PowerFlo® LX above-ground high efficiency pumps are built to withstand even the most demanding pool conditions combining durable construction with proven performance.

www.hayward-pool.com

As far as a VS pump - suckers look to be about a grand - which isn't impossible but not something I was hoping was the answer. I have a TACO floor heat pump, but that might not be enough for it.

Thanks,

 

[wireform]

I doubt the taco will do anything worthwhile.

 

[Tcadwall0]

Another vote for a VS pump. You can run one for bare minimum electricity. When you want the higher pressure for (normally short periods of time assume) you crank it up. The rest of the time it is running extremely efficiently and handling your filtering / heating needs.

You might be able to easily sell the old pump and recoup some of the cost. With the equipment shortages today, you could probably easily sell it.

 

[Gopherboy6956]

Another vote for a VS pump. You can run one for bare minimum electricity. When you want the higher pressure for (normally short periods of time assume) you crank it up. The rest of the time it is running extremely efficiently and handling your filtering / heating needs.

You might be able to easily sell the old pump and recoup some of the cost. With the equipment shortages today, you could probably easily sell it.

Is there a hands off way to change the speed on the VS pumps? Or do you have to walk over there and manually change it whenever you want it. Right now, I have my pump and heater on a smart outlet, so I can just start heating from anywhere.

 

[Tcadwall0]

Right now, I have my pump and heater on a smart outlet, so I can just start heating from anywhere.

Not sure how that would work (as far as changing the speed) without an automation panel. Most VS pumps will be programmable for speeds at different times though.

 

[Gopherboy6956]

I reached out to Raypak to see if they can give me an idea of the idea flow rate through the heater, or minimum at least - I think the Taco might be able to do it - the flow rate is ok, but the volume might not be high enough as typically floor heat uses 3/4" pex max vs the 2" connectors the heater uses.

 

[Gopherboy6956]

Sounds like the min. the heater needs for flow is 20gpm, my TACO will do 15gpm max. So we'll see...