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Owning an inground swimming pool at home can be very expensive. Not to mention that it takes a lot of hard work, too, when it comes to maintenance. No wonder why a lot of swimming pool owners try to find ways on how to lessen the cost of owning and maintaining a swimming pool at home.
Aside from the chemicals used in cleaning the pool which, by the way, doesn’t come cheap, one main factor of a high swimming pool maintenance cost is the electricity. For a clean, well-maintained swimming pool, you need to run the pump 8 to 11 hours every day. Imagine how much that costs on your electricity bill if you are going to do that every single day.
This is why some swimming pool owners prefer Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo. Compared to a traditional pump, Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo is known to help reduce your electricity bill up to 90%. Depending on the size of your swimming pool and your location, this pump promised to help you save from 60 to 90% on your electric bills. To know more about this, you may read the Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo review below.
Table of Contents
- Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo Features
- Totally Enclosed Fan-Cooled Design
- Self-Priming Pool Pump
- Pump Operates Between 450 RPM to 3450 RPM
- Operator Control Panel with LCD Screen, Buttons and LED Lights
- Low Noise Levels While Working
- Four Preset Speeds: 750, 1500, 2350 and 3110 RPM
- Compatible with Wide Range of Cleaning, Filter, and Jet Action Spa Systems
- Well-Matched with IntelliTouch, EasyTouch, and SunTouch Pool Control Systems
- Compatible with IntelliCom Communication Center Remote Control
- Certifications: NSF, UL-C US, Energy Star
- 8 Programmable Speed Settings and Built-in Timer
- 56 Square Flange, 230V, 50/60Hz, 3 Horsepower, One Phase, Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
- Pros and Cons
- Pros
- Cons
- Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo Warranty
- Similar Products
- Hayward SP3400VSP EcoStar VS Variable-Speed Pool Pump Energy Star Certified
- Pentair 342001 SuperFlo VS Variable Speed Pool Pump
- Pentair 340037 SuperFlo High-Performance Single Speed Pool Pump
- Conclusion
Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo Features
Listed below are the most important features of Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo. You may check it out to learn more about this pump and its advantages over the other pumps available in the market today.
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Totally Enclosed Fan-Cooled Design
Totally enclosed casing will prevent bugs and insects from getting inside your pump and eventually living there. This is very important as these insects may actually cause huge damage on your pump in the long run. The pump’s fan-cooled design is also necessary. It prevents overheating which may also damage your pump.
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Self-Priming Pool Pump
Self-priming allows your pump to reach a fully-primed pumping condition. It has the ability to free itself of air when it becomes air-bound and will resume pumping on its own.
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Pump Operates Between 450 RPM to 3450 RPM
Unlike the traditional pumps, Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo allows you to decide on how fast it runs. This will help you save a lot on your electricity bills. This allows you to save 60 to 90% on your electric bills, depending on the flow rate and the size of your pool.
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Operator Control Panel with LCD Screen, Buttons and LED Lights
Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo can be run through an operator control panel with LCD screen, buttons, and LED lights. This makes things easier for you to control how you want your swimming pool to be cleaned.
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Low Noise Levels While Working
This is perfect especially if your swimming pool is built near your house. Remember that you have to run the pump 8 or more hours per day. Imagine the horror if your pump makes so much noise when running. But with Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo’s dramatically quieter operation, you will only get around 45 decibels. That’s 4 times quieter than the traditional pumps.
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Four Preset Speeds: 750, 1500, 2350 and 3110 RPM
This allows you to set your pump’s speed any way you want it. The 4 preset speeds allow you to conveniently choose among them on what works best for your pool. This means you are in total control on how you want your pump to run, depending on your pool’s specific needs.
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Compatible with Wide Range of Cleaning, Filter, and Jet Action Spa Systems
Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo is compatible with a lot of cleaning, filter, and jet action spa systems which make it easier to operate and maintain.
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Well-Matched with IntelliTouch, EasyTouch, and SunTouch Pool Control Systems
All these cool features make Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo very convenient and hassle-free to manage.
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Compatible with IntelliCom Communication Center Remote Control
Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo is also compatible with IntelliCom Communication Center Remote Control which makes it easy to operate.
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Certifications: NSF, UL-C US, Energy Star
Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo is approved by NSF and UL-C US, thus, you can assure of its quality. It is also certified by Energy Star which assures you that it satisfies the energy efficiency limits laid down by the U.S. Department of Energy, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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8 Programmable Speed Settings and Built-in Timer
Unlike the traditional pumps that operate at unchangeable speeds, Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo allows you to customize the pump’s speeds for specific tasks like filtering, heating, cleaning, spa jets, and waterfalls. This helps to prevent algae from occurring since it allows you to run the pump for a longer time, in a much slower speed. This is more effective than running the pump briskly for a short period of time and then letting it rest for long intervals. Automatic chemical dispensers and chlorinators also work best when water is allowed to run for a longer period of time.
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56 Square Flange, 230V, 50/60Hz, 3 Horsepower, One Phase, Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
All these features make Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo a durable and an efficient pool water pump.
Pros and Cons
Here’s a list of Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo’s good and not-so-good points. Going through this pump’s pros and cons will help you decide if this is worth the money you are going to shell out.
Pros
- Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo is known to efficiently save energy up to 90% when compared to traditional pumps.
- It is proven to have a dramatically quieter operation.
- This pump comes with 8 programmable speed settings and a built-in timer to assure optimum speed. This also ensures maximum efficiency and savings.
- Pentair 011018 comes with a built-in diagnostics for pump protection longer service life.
- It is easy to program. It doesn’t need a pro to understand Pentair 011018
Cons
- Pentair doesn’t allow self-installation. This means you have to hire some pool professionals to get the pump installed for you to avail of their 3-year warranty. Installing it yourself will only allow you a 60-day warranty. This means you have to pay around 400 dollars (which is like half the pump’s price) for the pump’s installation if you want to avail of their 3-year warranty.
- It is hard to operate manually as claimed by some of the customers. The manual that comes with the pump doesn’t provide instructions on what to do when the control panel says “display not active”.
- Some customers also noted that it doesn’t save energy in as much as 60 to 90 % as what the company claims. They said it only help them save energy up to 50% only.
Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo Warranty
Pentair provides a 3-year warranty. That’s if the pump is installed by a qualified person and then registered within 60 days. To prove that the installation was done by an authorized installer, and not a do it yourself job, you need to provide some proof. You need to present the installer’s invoice, as well as the date of installation.
Installing the pump yourself will automatically void the 3-year warranty. Pentair can only provide up to 60 days of warranty if the pump’s installation wasn’t handled by a professional. In other cases, they do not give warranty at all.
To ensure that you are getting the warranty that you deserve, it’s best that you contact the seller or the manufacturer directly. This will give you a better idea on how to ensure that you get that 3-year warranty as it will save you from a lot of trouble in the future. Do not rely entirely on the information found on their warranty support page as the manufacturers periodically change the terms and conditions of their guarantees and warranties. It best that you double check it yourself with the seller or the manufacturer to avoid misunderstanding.
Similar Products
Here are 3 of the similar products on Amazon. You might also want to check them out for more options before buying your water pump.
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Hayward SP3400VSP EcoStar VS Variable-Speed Pool Pump Energy Star Certified
Hayward SP3400VSP EcoStar VS Variable-Speed Pool Pump claims to be one of the most energy-efficient pool pumps at any speed available in the market today. This pump is Energy Star Certified and a compliant of industry regulations including Title 20 and APSP 15 making it entitled for local utility rebates. Hayward SP3400VSP’s motor has a permanent magnet and is totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) to ensure efficiency and reliability. It can be installed in any application, whether in a stand-alone mode with Hayward automation (including OmniLogic) or with competitive control systems (via relay control). And as a bonus, this Hayward water pump comes in a no-rib, extra-large basket design which makes it easier to clean up. Hayward SP3400VSP EcoStar VS Variable-Speed Pool Pump has good rate on Amazon and is proving to be one of the bestsellers. You may want to check it out for more options.
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Pentair 342001 SuperFlo VS Variable Speed Pool Pump
Pentair 342001 SuperFlo VS Variable Speed Pool Pump is another good option when it comes to pool pumps. It is also manufactured by Pentair but it differs with Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo in some ways. Pentair 342001 SuperFlo is smaller than Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo (only 1 ½ Horsepower) which makes it ideal for smaller to standard pools which only requires up to 1.5 hp pump; 110-230v and 50 and 60 Hz capability. It has a real-time clock with 24-hour memory retention. It has simple, intuitive user interface which makes it easy to program and operate even when you don’t have much knowledge about pool pumps. Most of all, it is easy to install with its easy to access electrical connections. Pentair 342001 SuperFlo also comes with 3 operating speed settings plus override capability. It is one of the best-selling pool water pumps on Amazon with a high star rate.
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Pentair 340037 SuperFlo High-Performance Single Speed Pool Pump
Another bestseller is Pentair 340037 SuperFlo which is good rated on Amazon. Pentair 340037 SuperFlo is known to help lower down operating cost. This is because of its ¾-horsepower pump that has the ability to move water efficiently. Pentair 340037 SuperFlo is also perfect if your pool is located near your house since it guarantees quiet operation. Its superior internal design is proven to reduce hydraulic noise which makes it work quietly. This pump is also very durable because of its thick-walled body parts, heavy-duty 56 square flange motor, and a highly-engineered hydraulics. It also comes in an oversized strainer basket which makes it easier to clean. Plus, it has a see-through lid which makes inspection convenient. This pump has self-priming, as well, for quick, easy start-up. Most of all, Pentair 340037 SuperFlo comes with a 1-year warranty.
Conclusion
Whether you a new swimming pool owner or you are looking for a pump replacement, choosing the right pool water pump is very crucial. Water pumps don’t come cheap, thus, you need to be extra careful in choosing what’s really worth the money you are going to spend on it. Also, choosing the wrong pump will not only cost you more. It will also very much of a hassle. Thus, it’s best to be extra careful in picking the right water pump as to save yourself from future troubles.
All of Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo’s features seem to prove that is a very good option. With its customizable speed settings, quieter operation, and above all, the ability to save on energy from 60 to 90% are already enough reasons to go for this pump. There is just one problem with Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo (or any Pentair water pump for that matter). It is the fact that Pentair only gives a 3-year warranty when the water pump is installed by a professional. If self-installed, it will only provide you with a 30-day warranty or none at all. A lot of consumers are finding this unreasonable since hiring a pro to get the pump installed will only cost them more.
But aside from that, Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo is all good. You may also check out other leading pumps on Amazon (aside from those mentioned in this review) for more options.
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