Are you getting the most out of your pool pump?
I wrote to you a couple of years ago and you gave us some wonderful advice on someone to rebuild our front balcony. We’ve actually used the handy man another time.
I read your column faithfully and have used your advice on several occasions. Your column today was especially interesting as we are looking to replace a pool pump. Our pool guy recommended Pentair Superflo.
The cost seemed comparable to what you advised. It’s a lot of money to make a mistake on for a couple in their 70’s. How would you compare the Pentair to the Hayward you mentioned in the column?
Thank you for your help,
—Gloria R.
Answer No. 1
Gloria,
There are several variable pumps on the market and all are quite good. Please remember to have the pool man set the pump to be off on high grid hours, so that it is not running during high demand hours where you’re paying the high tier on energy.
I run mine from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. nightly to bring the costs down. He can run the pump on high for two hours, then down to low for two or three hours, keeping the water in motion, then ramp back up on high for the last one or two hours. I hope this all makes sense. If you install the pump and do this, you’ll see a change in the power bill.
Best of luck.,
—Robert Robert Lamoureux has 38 years of experience as a general contractor, with separate licenses in electrical and plumbing contracting. He owns IMS Construction Inc. in Valencia. His opinions are his own, not necessarily those of The Signal. Opinions expressed in this column are not meant to replace the recommendations of a qualified contractor after that contractor has made a thorough visual inspection. Email questions to Robert at robert@imsconstruction.com.