Pumps use to be made out of bronze and what is known as a medium head pump. This means that it would have good suction until the filter would get dirty. Now most all pumps are high head pumps. They move much more water even when the filter gets dirty or it has to pump up to the roof for solar panels.
Pumps are now made from some kind of plastic. You have to be careful about keeping your filters cleaned at least twice a year because the pumps today are so strong, even when the filter is dirty, that they can cause damage to the grids and manifolds of the filters due to high pressure. The WhisperFlo pump has been around over 20-years and they have improved in many areas. The plastic doesn’t crack and the pump lid is easy to take off. This pump is the most popular pump in the industry.
The WhisperFlo single speed is energy efficient but doesn’t qualify for any rebate from the electric company. If you have a suction pool sweep a single speed pump is the best way to go. With a 2-speed or variable speed pump, there isn’t enough suction at the lower speeds to move the sweep. Also lower speeds, the surface doesn’t skim very well.
When installing a new pump, we always use brass fittings going to the pump. This will prevent future leaks when pump runs dry due to lower water level. The WhisperFlo single speed pump comes with a 1-year warranty on parts & labor. Pentair offers up to 3-years warranty on all equipment. The way this works is you get 1 extra year per equipment item installed at the same time up to 3 years.
40% glass-filled thermoplastic with the Cam & Ramp “see thru” lid design. Self-priming, high flow with patented Funnel-Flo diffusers. 2 in suction and discharge ports. Motor features threaded shaft and durable commercial duty 56 frame motor with NEMA square flange.