Single Speed vs Dual Speed Pump

[lnrngr]

I’m looking for advice on replacing my pool pump motor. My current pump is a Pentair WF-26 model 011773, with a 1.5 HP single-speed motor (shown below). I’m considering the Century B2854 1.5 HP motor as a direct single-speed replacement, but I’m wondering if I should upgrade to a dual-speed motor instead.

1. Should I stick with a single-speed motor like the Century B2854, or is it worth upgrading to a dual-speed motor for energy savings (8 hr run time Houston, TX)?
   
   
2. If dual-speed is recommended, would the Century B2983 (dual-speed, 1.5 HP) work for my system or is there another pump I should consider?
   
   
3. Are there any other factors I should consider when choosing between single-speed and dual-speed?

I’d appreciate any advice or recommendations from those who’ve been through this decision before. Thanks!

 

[PoolStored]

Verify the electrical service, it will make a difference in the recommendations. 115v 230v. That pump can be run on 115 or 230.

If you have 115v, here are some reco's. A VSP will save you a lot of money in electrical costs...I would not install a single or dual speed pump...install a VSP (Variable Speed Pump)

The Waterway Defender 1.65 is a good, reasonable priced VSP and has about the most head for a 115v. Make sure you have 12 AWG for 20 amp GFCI or 14 AWG for 15 amp GFCI with this pump.
Hayward Superpump VS 700.
Pentair Superflo VST

If you have 230v, Get the biggest pump you can afford. The bigger pump will move the same water with less electricity...will save even more.
Waterway Defender 270
Calimar VSP 3.0
Pentair Intelliflo 3
Hayward Triton VS 950

 

[1poolman1]

I’m looking for advice on replacing my pool pump motor. My current pump is a Pentair WF-26 model 011773, with a 1.5 HP single-speed motor (shown below). I’m considering the Century B2854 1.5 HP motor as a direct single-speed replacement, but I’m wondering if I should upgrade to a dual-speed motor instead.

1. Should I stick with a single-speed motor like the Century B2854, or is it worth upgrading to a dual-speed motor for energy savings (8 hr run time Houston, TX)?
   
   
2. If dual-speed is recommended, would the Century B2983 (dual-speed, 1.5 HP) work for my system or is there another pump I should consider?
   
   
3. Are there any other factors I should consider when choosing between single-speed and dual-speed?

I’d appreciate any advice or recommendations from those who’ve been through this decision before. Thanks!View attachment 625819View attachment 625820

The cost of that 2-speed motor is about $500.00. Then you have to add the cost of a control that will switch the speeds as needed. That's about $400.00. For less than that total you could get a Nidec Neptune NPTQ225 and have a VSP with no changes to the plumbing. You would need a GO KIT, the seal and O rings and gaskets as well. The Pentair 356198 is the OEM one. Your time clock would then be used to control the booster pump only as a VSP has its own control on-board and needs constant power.
Or, for slightly more, the Waterway PD165 is a complete VSP that would require a little replumbing.
The Calimar 3.0 is a complete pump that would cost a bit more than the 2-speed motor and require replumbing as well

 

[lnrngr]

Verify the electrical service, it will make a difference in the recommendations. 115v 230v. That pump can be run on 115 or 230.

If you have 115v, here are some reco's. A VSP will save you a lot of money in electrical costs...I would not install a single or dual speed pump...install a VSP (Variable Speed Pump)

The Waterway Defender 1.65 is a good, reasonable priced VSP and has about the most head for a 115v. Make sure you have 12 AWG for 20 amp GFCI or 14 AWG for 15 amp GFCI with this pump.
Hayward Superpump VS 700.
Pentair Superflo VST

If you have 230v, Get the biggest pump you can afford. The bigger pump will move the same water with less electricity...will save even more.
Waterway Defender 270
Calimar VSP 3.0
Pentair Intelliflo 3
Hayward Triton VS 950

Thank you, very helpful!

 

[SouthernAlaPool]

Thank you, very helpful!

A timely Article as I am also considering a VSP for my pool. I see your recommendations and was checking around to potentially purchase one later this year. So I was hoping you could tell everyone about some of the Difference in say a Waterway Defender 270 (2.7HP) and a Calimar VSP 3.0 (bigger =better at 3.0HP, but has much lower cost). There seems to be some discernable difference in either Quality and/or perhaps in the Programmable Interface from one pump to the other...at least going by differences in cost=One pump being 3 times the cost of the others.
So is there another things we should look for outside HP and Price perhaps?

 

[ajw22]

There is no material difference between 2.7 HP and 3 HP in a pump. You need to compare the published pump curves of both pumps to see what the true performance difference is.

Pump Basics - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Pump Plumbing Head Curves and Operating Points - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com