Replacing pool pump

[Rich P]

My 10 year old Hayward 1 HP pump has been leaking for a year and is now sending out a high pitch howl so it's time for a new unit, which will actually be a lot more efficient and a lot quieter in normal operation.

I was considering the Pentair Whisper-pro line but the local shop where I get my chemicals recommended a Sta-Rite Max-E-Pro product. Does anyone have any experience with or knowledge about the pros and cons of these two pumps. They are now both made by the same firm, Pentair.

One thing that impressed me about the Sta-Rite was that you can access the impeller housing buy simply removing a stainless steel clamping ring...can't get much easier than that for future maintenance.

Price wise, they are basically the same, so it's down to quietness, efficiency, reliability and ease of maintenance.

[Uncle Cracker]

I don't know that particular Sta-Rite model, but they have an excellent reputation in the pool and irrigation markets that spans decades. I don't think you could go wrong there.

[RAFlorida]

+1 With Uncle Cracker.

Sta-Rite has a really good rep. You won't go wrong with that brand/model.

[crokett]

You might post this over on trouble free pool. They can give some recommendations.

[Rich P]

TFP turned out to be a good resource. One guy (Mark) had developed a spreadsheet that had a table of most residential pumps and their energy ratings from the Cal Dept of Energy. Plug in your pool size and some other stuff and it will show you cost/performance and a bunch of other good stuff. If I had access to it 5 years ago I would have gone for one of the variable speed units. Since we plan on moving in a year or so, the payback is too long.

One owner had used both pumps and found the Whisperflo to be quieter. All other things being equal, that's what I'm going for.