There are many benefits to having a well water system instead of being tied to a municipal water supply. The biggest advantage is having your own source of water and not having to pay for high water bills.
If you’re building a new home or discover it’s time to replace your current well pump, you may not be sure what’s the best option. Allow us to explain the different types of pumps available.
Why Do You Require a Well in Your Home?
There are many reasons why you may need a well on your property. Having access to fresh, clean water is one of the most important needs for any home. Wells offer an inexpensive and environmentally-friendly way to get the water that you need without relying on municipal sources.
Another advantage of having a well is the sense of independence it provides. With a well, you have the ability to control your own water supply and are not subject to any outside influences. You will no longer have to worry about potential restrictions on water use or the possibility of costly rate increases from municipal sources due to drought conditions.
Additionally, having a well allows you to take advantage of natural resources that are abundant in your area. Depending on your location, you may be able to gain access to groundwater that may be easier and more cost-effective to tap into than nearby municipal sources.
Finally, having a well can provide you with peace of mind. With a well, you won’t have to worry about power outages or other disruptions in your water supply. As long as your well is properly maintained, you can rest assured that you’ll have access to clean water whenever you need it.
Overall, having a well on your property offers numerous benefits and can be an invaluable asset for any home or a business owner. Whether you’re looking for an alternative water source or simply want to have greater control over your water supply, a well can be the perfect solution. With the right precautions and maintenance, you can ensure that you’ll always have access to fresh, clean water when you need it.
How Well Pumps Work
In general, well pumps work by pushing water from a well up and into your storage tank. The water remains there until it’s needed. Using a pressure tank system, your well pump will turn on when the water reaches a certain pressure. It then moves the water from the storage tank into your home’s plumbing system. As the water in the tank is used, the air pressure inside the tank decreases, and the pump will activate again to refill it. This process continues until the well runs dry.
Types of Water Well Pumps:
- Centrifugal pump – Only useful for shallow wells, this type of pump uses centrifugal force (like a toilet) to force water up the pipe and into your home. These are fairly simple devices and should deliver a longer service life.
- Jet pump – Ideal for medium-depth wells, a jump pump uses an impeller and suction to pull water out from the well.
- Submersible pump – A deep-well submersible pump is placed down into the well and pushes water up the pipe and into the home.
- Solar-powered pump – Since these pumps do not need an electrical power source, they are more efficient than traditional pumps. They are more expensive upfront to install but then can save you money each money on energy costs.
- Air-driven pump – Also called pneumatic pumps, these devices run off of air instead of electricity. Before you get too excited about this option, these pumps are normally only used in non-residential settings like industrial and commercial buildings.
- Manual pump – Usually you only want to rely on a manual pump for emergencies or temporary situations. The good news is they are lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to install and remove from the well.
How Deep is Your Well?
One of the most important considerations when choosing a water pump is the depth of your well. In most cases, if the well is less than 25 feet deep, a centrifugal or shallow-well jet pump is suitable. If the well is between 25-110 feet, a deep-well jet pump is usually ideal. For deeper wells, a submersible pump may be the best choice.
Other Important Components of Water Pumps
In addition to the motor and mechanisms for drawing water up through the ground, your water pump may have these important components.
- Pressure tank – Monitors water flow and controls water pressure for consistency.
- Check valve – A one-way valve that prevents water from going back down the pipe and into the well.
- Pressure switch – Automatically turns off the pump when pressure is too high to prevent damage.
- Foot valve – Found in deep-well pumps, the foot valve stops water from flowing back down to the source.
Plumbing Professionals in New Haven And Fairfield County
If you have any questions about selecting the right well water pump for your home, call the experts at Rick’s Plumbing at 203-874-6629. We are experienced in installing and servicing water well pumps in New Haven and Fairfield County, Connecticut. We can help you select the pump that fits your needs perfectly. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment!