is it hard to change a pump? i'm not very smart with machines. the filter cleaning part. is there something i open and then dump out or replace?
so this one?
http://www.poolcleaningparts.com/pentair-intelliflo-011018-vs-variable-speed-pump.html?___store=default
or this one? what does the 2nd one do $300 better than the 1st?
http://www.poolcleaningparts.com/intelliflo-vs-svrs-variable-speed-energy-saving-pump.html?___store=default
wow sys, those are all great questions. let's address them one at a time.
can you change the pump?
i would recommend that you would have a licensed professional do this as your area might have specific plumbing and electrical codes that must be met but we will go through the skills needed to complete this job and you can decide.
a. can you replace an existing light switch in your house without either dying or burning your house down? if the answer is yes, you can mark off one skill needed. keep in mind you have to determine whether your existing pump is wired 110 or 240 VAC and wire your new pump accordingly or make the required electrical changes to switch from one to the other on the existing electrical circuit that it occupies
b. can you plumb pvc pipe and do you have the required minimum sch40 material to do the job (also, i would highly recommend sch80 fittings on the pump inlet & outlet or heat resistant couplers)? if the answer is yes, you can mark off another skill needed. keep in mind that you may be plumbing with flooded or elevated suction and will need the proper tools and materials to complete this job if necessary
c. can you easily navigate and program a smartphone or computer? if the answer is yes, you can mark off the last skill needed.
the filter cleaning part. is there something i open and then dump out or replace?
i would prefer to answer this question in a bit, after you provide me with more information. what style of filter do you currently use? is it a sand, cartridge or diatomaceous earth filter?
what does the 2nd one do $300 better than the 1st?
let's see here, do you want pump protection or better pump protection because that is what this boils down to as they are both great pumps.
both pumps offer
a. thermal overload protection
b. under & over voltage protection
c. freeze protection
d. variable speed programming
the VS-SVRS offers
a. a safety vacuum release system
what does this mean? it means that the pump is fully compliant with the virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act which eliminates the need to bring your pool drains to compliance. it also means that anytime there is a drain or skimmer obstruction the pump will shut off. so if little jimmy is diving for pennies and gets stuck to the main drain, boom, pump shuts off, releasing jimmy from the bottom and he can dive for pennies another day.
so basically the SVRS gives you 2 things. most importantly, piece of mind. can you put a price tag on piece of mind sys? i would think that price tag would be way more than $200 if you could but yet you get it for only $200. secondly, it gives you compliance, so you have that going for you as well.
i really hope this helps!