Every pool Meraki Pools AZ builds gets Pentair equipment. We don’t mix brands, and we don’t swap in whatever is cheapest that week. The pump, the filter and the valves on your equipment pad are Pentair, installed by our own crew.
The photo above is a pad we just set on a new pool in Marana. Here is what is on it, why we picked it, and what it means for you once the pool is yours.
What is on a Meraki equipment pad?
The equipment pad is the heart of your pool. It sits in a side yard and moves, cleans and controls the water. On a typical Meraki build you will find:
- Pentair IntelliFlo3 VSF pump. A variable speed and flow pump that pulls water from the pool and pushes it through the filter and back.
- Pentair Clean & Clear Plus cartridge filter. The tall tank in the photo. It traps dirt and debris before water returns to the pool.
- Pentair valves. These direct water between the pool, spa and water features, so one pump can run several jobs.
- Clean, labeled plumbing. Every line is laid out so it is easy to service and easy to understand years from now.
Depending on your build, the pad can also hold a heater, sanitation system and automation. We size all of it to your pool, not to a one-size-fits-all package. If you’d rather not see the equipment from your patio, we can build a masonry pony wall to screen it, with room left for airflow and service.
Why we only use Pentair
It all works together
When the pump, filter and valves come from one manufacturer, they are designed to work as a system. Flow rates match, fittings line up, and automation talks to the pump without workarounds. Fewer mismatched parts means fewer problems.
Our crew knows it inside and out
We install the same equipment on every job, so our crew knows exactly how it should be plumbed, set up and programmed. That shows in the details, and it means we can troubleshoot quickly if you ever call us.
One brand for parts and warranty
If something ever needs attention, you are dealing with one manufacturer, not three. Pentair parts are widely available in Tucson, so a repair doesn’t turn into a weeks-long wait.
The pump: Pentair IntelliFlo3 VSF
The pump uses more electricity than anything else on a pool, so it is where the right choice saves the most money.
The IntelliFlo3 VSF is a variable speed and flow pump. Instead of running at one fast speed all day, it runs slower for longer, which moves the same water with much less power. Pentair says it can save up to 90 percent of energy compared with a single-speed pump, based on its stated test conditions. It is ENERGY STAR certified and meets Department of Energy efficiency rules.
What our clients like most:
- Set it and forget it. The pump holds the flow rate you set on its own, even as the filter gets dirtier.
- Control from your phone. It connects to Pentair’s app (formerly Pentair Home, now listed as Pentair Pool) over WiFi or Bluetooth for real-time status and alerts. Our pool automation guide shows what you can control. After a monsoon storm, you can bump up the speed from the couch.
- Quiet. Running at lower speeds, it is much quieter than older single-speed pumps, which matters when the pad sits next to a bedroom window.
- Optional built-in automation. With the add-on board, it can control up to two other pool devices without a separate automation system.
Want to see what that means for your monthly bill? Our guide to what it costs to run a pool in Tucson breaks it down, including off-peak scheduling with TEP.
The filter: Pentair Clean & Clear Plus
We use the Clean & Clear Plus cartridge filter because it fits Tucson. It has no backwash: instead of flushing hundreds of gallons of pool water down the drain to clean a sand or DE filter, you pull the cartridges and rinse them with a garden hose.
Pentair says its four-cartridge design traps particles as small as 20 microns and gives a large filter surface area, so it goes longer between cleanings. Water flows through it easily, which helps the pump run at lower speeds and use less energy.
With Tucson water rates going up and dust storms every monsoon, a filter that saves water and handles fine dust is the right fit for the desert.
Why equipment matters more in the desert
Tucson is hard on pools. Summer heat, monsoon dust and debris, hard water and long swim seasons all mean your equipment runs more hours than it would in most of the country. Cheap equipment shows it here first.
Quality equipment that is sized and installed correctly:
- keeps the water clear through monsoon season
- costs less to run every month
- lasts longer before it needs replacing
- makes it easier to add a heater, spa or water features later
It is one of the reasons we talk about how long a pool lasts in Arizona in terms of the whole system, not only the shell.
Already have a pool?
If your pool has an old single-speed pump or a filter you backwash every few weeks, an upgrade can pay for itself over time. We replace pumps, filters and valves with Pentair equipment as part of our pool remodeling work, often at the same time as resurfacing or new tile.
Build it right from the pad up
Pentair equipment comes standard on every pool we build. It is part of how we build pools that look great on day one and still run right years later. Every build includes a custom 3D design, and Pentair equipment is part of every quote.
Call (520) 342-8335 or request your free estimate. Licensed and family-owned, AZ ROC #342505 and #352797.
Put this guide to work
Planning your own project? See our Custom Pool Construction in Tucson and Pool Remodeling & Renovation in Tucson, or read about building a pool in Marana.
Frequently asked questions
What pool equipment brand does Meraki Pools AZ use?
We install Pentair equipment on every pool we build: the pump, filter and valves on the equipment pad. Using one brand means the parts are designed to work together, our crew knows them inside and out, and you have one manufacturer to deal with for parts and warranty.
What is the Pentair IntelliFlo3 VSF?
It is Pentair's variable speed and flow pool pump. It holds a set flow rate on its own, is ENERGY STAR certified and DOE compliant, and connects to Pentair's app (formerly Pentair Home, now listed as Pentair Pool) over WiFi or Bluetooth so you can check on it or change speeds from your phone.
Why use a cartridge filter instead of a sand or DE filter in Tucson?
A cartridge filter like the Pentair Clean & Clear Plus does not need backwashing. You pull the cartridges and rinse them with a hose instead of dumping pool water down the drain. In a desert city with rising water rates, that matters.
How much can a variable-speed pump save?
Pentair says the IntelliFlo3 can save up to 90 percent of energy compared with a single-speed pump under its stated test conditions. Real savings depend on your pool size, plumbing, run time and electric rate, but running slow and long almost always costs far less than running a single-speed pump.
Can you swap my old pump for a Pentair variable-speed pump?
Yes. During a pool remodel we can replace older pumps and filters with Pentair equipment. Call us and we will look at your current pad and plumbing.
