Hey everyone! This site has been a great resource for me after purchasing my first house with a pool in 2023. Now I'm finally making a post instead of lurking...
We just got some quotes to replace our sand filter (Sta-Rite from 2008) and pump (1HP/3450rpm mystery brand single speed). For context, we have a SWG (Intellichlor IC20) and our pool is somewhere in the 17,000-20,000 gal range (mostly a guess based on measurements and 1 summer of watching the chems). We aren't planning to add any complexity to the pool, it's just 1 skimmer, 2 returns, and a non-functional main drain (plumbed into the 2nd skimmer hole). No need for fancy automation. The pump developed a slow leak last fall and we want to upgrade to a VSP for the power savings with the SWG. The filter is fine, except that our backwash line is connected underground to the sewer system and there's some kind of leak under the concrete, so we've been lugging a backwash hose all the way to the cleanouts in the front yard each time we needed to backwash. We figured it would be a good time to switch to a cartridge system since it doesn't need backwashing (no more hose and wasting salt, yay!).
We live in a MCOL/LCOL area but pools are not so common here, so the companies are few and far between. The two quotes we got were slightly different in what they recommended (see screenshots for details), but Company A came out to $5,420 and Company B to $4,187 or $4,822 (depending on the pump HP). I have a couple of questions before I commit:
Sorry that came out to be super long!!! Thank you for reading!
TL;DR: Is $4k-$5k a normal ballpark for filter and pump replacement? Is there any issue with installing an oversized pump into a pool with only one suction line?
We just got some quotes to replace our sand filter (Sta-Rite from 2008) and pump (1HP/3450rpm mystery brand single speed). For context, we have a SWG (Intellichlor IC20) and our pool is somewhere in the 17,000-20,000 gal range (mostly a guess based on measurements and 1 summer of watching the chems). We aren't planning to add any complexity to the pool, it's just 1 skimmer, 2 returns, and a non-functional main drain (plumbed into the 2nd skimmer hole). No need for fancy automation. The pump developed a slow leak last fall and we want to upgrade to a VSP for the power savings with the SWG. The filter is fine, except that our backwash line is connected underground to the sewer system and there's some kind of leak under the concrete, so we've been lugging a backwash hose all the way to the cleanouts in the front yard each time we needed to backwash. We figured it would be a good time to switch to a cartridge system since it doesn't need backwashing (no more hose and wasting salt, yay!).
We live in a MCOL/LCOL area but pools are not so common here, so the companies are few and far between. The two quotes we got were slightly different in what they recommended (see screenshots for details), but Company A came out to $5,420 and Company B to $4,187 or $4,822 (depending on the pump HP). I have a couple of questions before I commit:
- Do these prices seem fair? The more expensive company was - of course - more professional and prompt in their replies and my partner likes their "vibe" better. We've had bad luck with finding people that do good work so far (1st time homeowners), so maybe we're being extra cautious. We've done almost all of the pool maintenance ourselves so I have no concept of what's fair.
- I did some reading up on here before getting quotes and I decided it would be a good idea to get an 'oversized' ~3HP pump so that we could run it at a lower RPM for longer to generate chlorine with the SWG.
- Company A has told us "In this situation we would be unable to install the 3hp version, due to your pool only having a single suction pipe at the equipment. To install the 3hp pump we would need a minimum of 2- 2" suction pipes at the equipment." Is that something you've ever heard of before? Would it be an issue to purchase an oversized pump in this scenario? In all my reading it was never mentioned.
- Company B quoted us the extra cost, totalling out to $4,822. However, now I'm worried that there's some issue with an overpowered pump possibility.
Sorry that came out to be super long!!! Thank you for reading!
TL;DR: Is $4k-$5k a normal ballpark for filter and pump replacement? Is there any issue with installing an oversized pump into a pool with only one suction line?
Slowly chipping away at them . We had to run the filter a LOT last summer. We have high UV here in ABQ (often an index of 11-12 in the summer), and found that a solar bubble cover helped the FC stay high without running the pump 24/7. When this SWG dies we'll swap it for a higher powered one.
). You don’t need anything else. They all use the same power supply you have and fit in the same space. Direct drop in.