Well Pump Buying Guide

Managing your home's well water system requires a specialized blend of selection and expertise, and choosing the right well pump is the first, most crucial step. Whether you're tackling a complex new installation or simply replacing an existing unit, we are your partner who can assist at every stage of the process.

Types of Well Pumps

Well pumps are categorized into three types, distinguished by the depth of the water source:

What Size Well Pump Do I Need?

The most important factor in selecting a well pump is the depth of your well. This determines the style of pump you will need.

In addition to well depth, you must consider the pump's capacity:

• Total Lift Head (TLH) or Suction Head (SH): This is the vertical distance the pump must draw water from the underground reservoir. The pump must be powerful enough to overcome this distance.
• Gallons Per Hour (GPH) or Gallons Per Minute (GPM): This determines the flow rate and ensures consistent water pressure to all fixtures in your home.
• PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch): While the pump provides pressure, homeowners who desire higher or constant water pressure often pair their well pump system with a separate booster pump.

The Versatile Convertible Jet Pump

The convertible jet pump is a versatile solution, especially popular for homeowners experiencing a fluctuating water table, as it can be adapted for both shallow and deep well applications:

• Shallow Operation (0–25 feet): Use with a shallow jet nozzle.
• Deep Operation (25–90 feet): Use with a deep well jet nozzle and ejector assembly.

The Ejector/Jet: The jet portion, also known as the ejector, is critical. It helps draw water from deeper depths by creating a vacuum in the suction pipe and relies on atmospheric pressure.

The Two Lines: When configured for deep well use, the pump has two holes coming up the front for the suction lines.

• Drive Pipe: The smaller pipe (typically 3/4" or 1") carries pressurized water down to the injector/venturi assembly in the well.
• Suction Pipe: The larger pipe (typically 1 1/4") acts as the return, bringing the pulled water back up to the surface.

Well Pump Installation Tips

• Well Casing Size: To accommodate the outside diameter of both pipes running down the well, a minimum of a four-inch well casing is required.
• Priming: Convertible jet pumps are non-submersible, meaning they sit above ground and must be primed. This involves filling the whole front portion of the pump housing and ensuring both drop pipes are completely filled with water before use. Non-submersible pumps may occasionally require re-priming after a power outage or if the pump "loses prime."
• Jet Assembly: The injector/jet assembly must be attached to the well for deep applications. Always check the product specifications; some top brands offer the pump and the jet assembly as separate pieces.

Knowing the above will help you find the perfect, right-sized pump for your well. Reach out to our Ferguson experts for additional product support and expertise.