Sta-Rite IntelliFlo VF User Manual

IntelliFlo® VF

Intelligent Variable Flow Pump

Simply the most valuable technology
innovation in pool equipment history

You’ll likely save thousands

over the long life of this revolutionary innovation

To say the IntelliFlo® VF pump is a radically
different—and superior—pool pump is
a massive understatement. Here’s why.

Traditional pool pumps have offered a limited number of single­speed or two-speed designs. Their motor speeds are set and
unchangeable. These set speeds are almost always higher than
required, thereby overpowering the jobs they are assigned to do
and wasting energy. What’s more, other pumps rely on induction
motor technology, which is far less efficient. The result is that
pumps are notorious energy hogs that cost hundreds—often
more than $1,000—per year to operate. In fact, in some areas
of the country, laws are being passed to prevent future purchases
of these “old school” pumps. The IntelliFlo® VF pump, by contrast, is
sensationally energy efficient. It is the totally automatic, self-setting
and self-adjusting, variable speed marvel with a micro-processor
that determines and maintains the lowest amount of water ow
for maximum performance and minimum energy use. It’s also the
first to use vastly more efficient permanent magnet motor
technology (used in hybrid cars).

Slashing energy use up to 90%

An exclusive blend of technology innovations are behind
the monumental energy savings possible with IntelliFlo.

• IntelliFlo is the first to use permanent magnet motors as a

fundamentally energy-efficient design.

Why Slower is Better

The surprising secret to minimizing pump energy costs is to
operate at the lowest ow rate needed to accomplish a job.
It takes far less energy to move water slowly than quickly. Why?
Because there’s lower resistance in the filter, accessories and
plumbing system. Even though a pump will work longer at a
lower ow rate, this is far more efficient. A good analogy is your
car: you get much better gas mileage at 30 mph than at 90 mph.
The same is true with pool pumps—run slower for greater
efficiency (and many other good reasons, too).

• IntelliFlo also employs variable-drive technology controlled by an

onboard computer and sophisticated software to allow pinpoint
programming, or totally automatic operation, to achieve and
maintain optimum (typically lower) ow rates for further energy
savings. IntelliFlo operates at a fraction of the horsepower of
standard pumps for impressive savings. Exclusive, variable-speed
capability builds potential savings up to 90%.

The result is dramatically lower electricity expense—typically

saving hundreds per year. It’s not uncommon for savings to total
more than $1,000 per year—and savings of more than $2,000
per year have been recorded. Over the multi-year life of
IntelliFlo, the savings can be measured in the thousands. And yet,
these tremendous savings are only part of the IntelliFlo story.

Pump Motor Speed vs. Power Consumption

100

80

60

40

% Input Power

20

0

0 20 40 60 80 100

% RPM

This graph shows the huge increase in energy consumption as

pump speed increases. Slow down the pump and you

cut energy costs dramatically.

Savings Specifics

Since the cost to operate your pool pump isn’t
itemized on your electric bill, you’re probably
wondering just how much an IntelliFlo could save.
Here are realistic estimates when comparing a
traditional energy-eff icient (EE), single-speed pump
to IntelliFlo in a 20,000 gallon pool. Savings are
calculated using 6 and 12 hours of operation, which
represent common run times.

• At $0.15/kwh estimated savings

range from $620 to $1,360 per year.

• At $0.20/kwh estimated savings

range from $825 to $1,810 per year.

• At $0.30/kwh estimated savings

range from $1,240 to $2,710 per year.

Savings may vary based on plumbing size and length,
pump model, service factor, ow rate and other
hydraulic factors. However, as you can see, the
savings with IntelliFlo can be dramatic and the return
on investment almost immediate. Over the long life
of the pump, your savings can reach thousands
of dollars.

A note about utility rates

Posted r ates and effective rates are not the same thing. Your base
posted electricity rate may be 10¢ per kilowatt hour (kWh) or less.
So why are we starting our calculations at 15¢ per kWh? We’ve
taken into account the many additional factors that make your
effective rate higher:

1. The stated rate is only for electricity used. It does not include
user fees and taxes that var y by state and provider.

2. In some states, rates increase substantially as a consumer uses
additional electricity beyond a set baseline.

3. Many providers assess a surcharge per kWh during the summer,
because demand for electricity is higher.

Estimate Your Savings Online

If these comparisons don’t match up with your local
electric rates or pool size, you can estimate your
savings online at www.pentairpool.com/calculators.
Just click on our Pool Pump Energy Savings Calculator.