About Well Pumps

Energy Saving Tips for Well Pumps

Well pumps can use up a lot of energy -- exactly how much depends on the size of the pump, the amount of water used in the household, the pump's operating pressure, and the depth of the water table. Proper maintenance and service however, can save both water and energy, and extend the life of your well pump. Leaky faucets, showers, and hoses can increase demand on well pumps by as much as 7 to 11 liters per minute.

Regular maintenance of submersible well pumps will also ensure that the pressure tank doesn't become waterlogged. If the tank is filled with too much water, the pressure sensor that controls the pump becomes over-active, causing the pump to work too long. Because the start-up phase of the pumping cycle requires the most energy, well pump energy consumption greatly increases. Besides which, leaks in the system and waterlogging reduce the life span of the equipment.

It's important to make sure well pumps are properly sized. People often have 3/4 hp pumps installed in their wells, when they really just need a 1/2 hp pump. Proper sizing can save homeowners a hundred kilowatt-hours (kWh) each year in energy consumption, as well as the cost of the larger pump.