Each well pump type is designed to handle and distribute different capacities of water. If you’re installing a new well for your property, choosing the correct pump size will be crucial for drawing the ideal amount of water per day at a decent pressure. On the other side of the coin, the wrong sized pump can result in wasted electricity or poor flow rates. There are many factors to weigh, but you’ll find the basics of choosing a pump below.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Well Pump Size

Household Water Usage

The average American uses about 130 gallons of water per day, according to the EPA. That doesn’t necessarily mean you use that much, though. If you aren’t sure how much water your family uses, tallying up all your water fixtures can help you estimate.

Assume that each fixture uses up approximately one gallon per minute when making your calculations. For example, if your home has two faucets, a toilet, and a shower stall, your estimated water usage would be three gallons per minute. Thus, you would need a well pump that can yield that flow rate.

Well Depth

The depth of your well is another important factor in choosing a well pump size. Submersible pumps, which are the most common, are suitable for deep wells (e.g. more than 25 feet); some jet pumps are also appropriate for deep wells, at depths of over 100 feet.

For shallow wells (less than 25 feet deep), install a centrifugal pump or jet pump. Ensure that the capacity of any pump you install does not exceed your water well’s capacity—otherwise, your flow rate and pressure will suffer.

Ready to install a well on your property, or need professional services for an existing well? Get in touch with Empire Pump Service. Working out of Green Forest, AR, the fully licensed and insured experts serve customers throughout the area, including Missouri. Call (870) 438-6929 for service in Green Forest or (417) 858-3766 for Missouri. More information about the local well pump service is available online.