Pentair vs Hayward equip warranty length?

[heckofagator]

Assuming both installed by professional, what are the warranties for each? Getting ready to replace pumps and filter and get new swg and automation.

For Pentair, if you buy 3 pieces at the same time, i believe you get 3 years on everything? I haven’t really been able to find the same for Hayward?

 

[vtpools]

Hayward has the "Expert Line", 3+ year warranty except for some robo cleaners I think. Here's last years warranty terms https://lesl.a.bigcontent.io/v1/static/2021-Sunbelt-Terms.

 

[heckofagator]

Thanks. So I guess buying multiple pieces installed by a pro gets you the Totally Hayward part. So seems to be a coin flip with pentair in that respect.

 

[chiefwej]

For the reliability of their VS pumps alone, I would prefer Pentair.

 

[heckofagator]

For the reliability of their VS pumps alone, I would prefer Pentair.

Yes thats where i want to be, i think. We have a quote from Pinch A Penny (regional pool store) thats all Pentair. We are getting another quote also tomorrow that i think is coming in with Hayward but not totally sure yet. But might have to ask what it takes to move over to Pentair. Im hoping its not a huge pain for them.

I see you have a 2 pump setup, which we do now. One of these bids is moving over to a 1 pump system, the other said we needed 2 pumps. Hoepfully i choose the right installer. . Maybe they can both be right.

 

[vtpools]

Totally Hayward is just a dealer affiliation program. You can get one or ten pieces of equipment, they'll still have the same warranty. I think a few years back they did a promo that got you a 5 year warranty for buying multiple pieces of equipment though.

 

[ajw22]

I see you have a 2 pump setup, which we do now. One of these bids is moving over to a 1 pump system, the other said we needed 2 pumps. Hoepfully i choose the right installer. . Maybe they can both be right.

What does the second pump do?

 

[heckofagator]

What does the second pump do?

I've been told its just for the spa jets. but it didn't work when we moved in so I've never seen it work.

 

[ajw22]

I've been told its just for the spa jets. but it didn't work when we moved in so I've never seen it work.

If you care about the pressure out of the spa jets stay with a 2 pump system. You will never get as much water pressure from the main pump running through your filter and heater as you will from a dedicated unrestricted spa jet pump.

 

[heckofagator]

If you care about the pressure out of the spa jets stay with a 2 pump system. You will never get as much water pressure from the main pump running through your filter and heater as you will from a dedicated unrestricted spa jet pump.

that's a good Q, I will ask how they were thikning about installing it. I guess it'd be possible to put the system in "spa mode" and just turn a valve to go straight to the spa return from the main VS pump (if we went with just 1)?

I asked around and most systems with pool and spa today use 1 big pump. I just haven't been able to determine if the way our plumbing is set up make it to we really should use 2 or not.

 

[ajw22]

that's a good Q, I will ask how they were thikning about installing it. I guess it'd be possible to put the system in "spa mode" and just turn a valve to go straight to the spa return from the main VS pump (if we went with just 1)?

You want the spa water being filtered and heated while you are using it.

I asked around and most systems with pool and spa today use 1 big pump. I just haven't been able to determine if the way our plumbing is set up make it to we really should use 2 or not.

Yes, and many people come here and ask why they can’t get more massaging pressure from their spa jets. Using one pump is a way for builders to cut costs and cheapen the pool/spa. Even with a “big” pump you are limited in the pressure it can push through the restrictions of a filter and heater. There is a reason 2 pump spa designs were used.

 

[heckofagator]

Oh, right, I didn't think about the heating aspect. Of course you need that.

So while 1 pump might work, its not ideal. I'm glad this came up. I was just trying to cut costs, but don't want regret it later.

 

[heckofagator]

OK, bids are in and price is somewhat close.

1st bid - hayward equipment with 4 year warranty. Said a few Pentair pieces were on backorder.

2nd bid - has all Pentair equipment available with 3 year warranty.

Most everything I see here tends to lean towards Pentair. If the warranty was an additional year with Hayward, would that change your mind?

I'm not sure what to do. Was kind of excited to go Pentair but I'm not sure how big of a deal that really is. And the extra year warranty is nice.

 

[kul]

I’m a sucker for warranties, but I have Pentair and it has worked well for me. People here at TFP have both and I don’t know that anyone hates their Hayward system.

 

[Newdude]

Hey Gator !!! Random thoughts :

1) Ask if the builders can get each others equipment. They may only be a dealer of the one they quoted

1-a) If they have to stick with the 1 brand, they are both quality and the pool that fits your wishes best is more important. You can replace the equipment for fun at any time, or change brands when its time, but the pool will remain.

2) You are choosing Chevy Vs Ford and both have a similiar failure rate with no clear winner. Statistically speaking, you won't need either warranty.

2-a) quality control went to crud with the supply issues
2-b) it went to crud equally seemingly for any *anything*

3) Whatever you get will most likely be your brand for life. People know what they have and none of us like change.

 

[heckofagator]

thanks for the thoughts. Just to be clear, these are not pool builders. One bid is a pool service/reno company, the other is a big chain of pool supplies stores in the Southeast. We're just replacing outdated and broken equipment.

Pool supply store carries both brands, so it didn't matter to them. they asked which I'd prefer and I said Pentair and they said "yeah, that's what we would have recommended". The other bid would also go with either manufacturer, but their supplier is short on Pentair stuff, so it effectively takes that out of the mix.

I'd prefer to work with company #1 as we know them and their quote is all in one, versus the pool supply store where we have to go find a gas and electrician. If Bid #1 offered Pentair, I think it'd be a done deal. I just not sure if or why I might be even hung up on Pentair. To get Pentair, its going to be more work on our end and 1 year less warranty. But am I going to be looking at the pool equipment at the end of the day wishing it was another brand? I sure hope not but I do not know.

 

[kul]

I just not sure if or why I might be even hung up on Pentair.

Hmmm sounds like you secretly want Pentair. if pricing is similar and you don’t mind the one year less of warranty, sounds like you’ve chosen. If you want find another place to get a quote that would make you happy, maybe try doing that

 

[heckofagator]

Hmmm sounds like you secretly want Pentair.

Its all your guys' fault

 

[ajw22]

Post what specific Hayward and Pentair equipment is being proposed. Both have some good stuff and some clunkers. The good stuff is likely hard to get and the clunkers may be all that is available. I would not decide strictly on availability. It may be best to wait for the best equipment for you.

 

[heckofagator]

Still working on getting an equipment list. Stuff is apparently very hard to come by these days.

Any thought of the Sta-Rite pumps, specifically the Supermax as an alternative to Pentairs Superflo?

Edit: i just dont know how my ocd will do mixing pentair and starite like that, though