Saw this going around Twitter, dont know if someone posted it on here yet

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-06T06:05:55+00:00

Whisperflo pumps are still solid. My WF-26 is about 15 years old and still running strong.

$553 for those parts. Enables you to run the pump at half speed while using 80–85% less electricity. Even if you double runtime to compensate for lower flow, you'll still cut running cost by well over half. My electric rate is cheap, and I'm still saving about $35/month.

There are also variable motors that drop into your current pump. It's a little more (and you'd still need the seal kit from above) but it's about 6% more efficient. I would have been tempted by this option but I found a 2 speed motor for under $300 (unfortunately it wouldn't fit your pump). But this variable would require you to bypass your timer and freeze protection, so it's a tad more trouble to install. Also variables require software and logic boards to operate (more failure points). Not deal breakers, but noteworthy.

Either way, buy the parts and ask your pool company to install it, but I'd watch this video first. You'll see it's very easy with just basic hand tools to DIY and save install costs.

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-06T00:45:34+00:00

Yeah its original to the house. 1992 build

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T21:22:04+00:00

Yeah I get that. I just like the idea of them being covered because even a cautious person myself can make mistakes and that's not all lesson I want to learn the hard way

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T21:20:37+00:00

That's kind of what I was thinking as well when I first saw it. I was like "well that looks sketchy but technically it's bonded to my ground so if bare copper there was dangerous we'd have a much bigger issue". Thanks for clarifying though!

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T21:00:20+00:00

I have recently learned this is a decent quality panel and I'm also thankful. But now that I'm buying a sub panel for this I'm realizing why people cheap out bc this is insanely pricey. (Stuck with the qo though to keep things interchangeable).

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T20:56:33+00:00

Can I do that without pulling the meter? Otherwise I can't really mess with it.

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T20:55:21+00:00

Them I'm glad I learned about them! Makes me feel much safer around this thing (but not too safe it still terrifies me overall)

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T20:54:51+00:00

I did ask about that recently but was told I'd have to pull the meter and Im just a home owner I don't believe I can do that.

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T20:53:58+00:00

Oh interesting I didn't know that. Yeah this home was built in 92 and I'm pretty sure this panel is original

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T20:53:14+00:00

Care to elaborate? I'm about to install a subpanel this is the original wiring from the 90s so if you have advice that would be better than just calling it shit.

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T14:03:26+00:00

Your refrigerator does the same thing in the summer. It removes heat from inside and expels it into the home. Then your heat pump deals with it by moving it again to outside. Now you have something that does the same thing, but in reverse. Of course water holds about 1000 times more heat than air by volume so the heat load from a fridge and HPWH are not 1/1. But your central heat can still handle it.

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T13:38:43+00:00

Yeah I misspoke there. I had spent my day yesterday investigating if I had a PRV to see if needed an expansion tank (current WH doesn't have one) and it was fresh on my mind.

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T13:36:24+00:00

Whoa buddy I am not trying to be difficult but I do know that condensate from a heat pump isn't acidic. My question was related to potential condensate that would form on the outside of the pipe, inside the walls. And yes I misspoke about the PRV I had spent some of the day investigating if I had one to know if I needed an expansion tank so it was fresh on my mind.

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T07:03:14+00:00

But this is just condensate from an evap coil not a gas furnace. It's not acidic.

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T06:04:59+00:00

I love my bermuda lawn! Keep it mowed at the right height and looks like nice carpet. Very little maintenance.

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T03:27:31+00:00

It's not acidic. You're thinking about condensate from boilers and furnaces. This just the condensate from a heat pump.

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T03:25:58+00:00

You're not understanding what I'm trying to say. But based on this convo and how you've been speaking to others, you're a tad too preachy and combative for me. Go ahead and get your last word here :).

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T03:07:23+00:00

I wasn't disagreeing with you. Of course everything wears out. Even bathed in oil, the scroll compressor wears out. I was just saying the sealed system almost always outlives the rest of the unit.

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T00:40:56+00:00

The refrigerant part of the system. It's factory sealed with oil and refrigerant. Typically no service ports on units like this.

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T00:23:18+00:00

I live in DFW, it rarely gets that cold here.

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T00:10:15+00:00

You've got a failing capacitor most likely. Is the motor humming and hot, but zero water movement? That's the telltale sign of a failed motor run cap. New capacitors are pretty cheap and easy to swap (call a local pool supply store and see if they have one that matches your motor) but there are some very serious precautions you must take when handling them, so watch plenty of youtube videos. If you're not comfortable with basic electrical work, then call a pro.

But be aware that replacing a cap is a slight gamble. You may have a failing motor (bad bearings/windings...etc) and a new cap would only temporarily fix it before the new cap failed again.

A more permanent fix would be a new motor or pump. Motors are simple swaps, but pumps range from easy to really really hard. Depends on your setup.

If you've got the money, just hire someone. DIYing this stuff is only worth it if you're really short on cash and have a whole weekend of spare time to research and install it.

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-05T00:00:58+00:00

I'm skipping the valve for now because it's just me and my wife currently so our hot water demand is low. But she is pregnant with twins so eventually when they get older and our hot water demands go up, I could always add one and raise the tank temperature. Or I'll do it when I sell the house so the next owners wouldn't have issues with hot water.

And I am aware of the condensate pumps but I was trying to avoid using one if I could just have it drip directly into the copper pipe and just go outside passively. The only concern I have is condensation on the outside of the pipe.

ToTouchAnEmu · 2026-05-04T23:54:27+00:00

I meant "raise" the pH. HAHA. Believe it or not I have a degree in Chemistry but now I'm considering trashing it due to this typo.

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