Residential Capacity Based on Fixture Count
The capacity of the pump system in gallons per minute should equal the number of fixtures
in the home. This must take into account all use for the kitchen, bath, appliances,
outside irrigation, a pool and special fixtures, such as a hot tub.
In this model, a modern home with two bathrooms (three outlets each), kitchen sink,
dishwasher, washing machine, laundry tub and two outside hose outlets would require a
capacity of 12 gallons per minute, based on the 12 fixtures or outlets.
Residential Capacity Based on Peak Demand
A second model, using the same fixtures and plumbing as the previous example, calculates
capacity based on a seven-minute peak demand. The peak time for household
water use is normally in the morning, when the family rises, or in the evening, when all
are home. Seven minutes is the average high water use timeframe for a shower or automatic
washer.
To determine peak demand, read down the column in Table 1 under the number of
bathrooms to the normal seven-minute peak demand total. Note this figure, which in a
two-bathroom house is 98 gallons. Then read down the same column to the minimum-sized
pump required to meet peak demand, which in a two-bathroom house is 14 gallons per
minute.
Address Low Well Capacity
In the best and most economical water system, the needs of the household are less than
the rate at which water can be drawn from the well. If the peak demand exceeds the maximum
rate of water available, the pump must be sized within the well capacity and the
peak demand reached through added storage capacity.
Usually a large-size pressure tank can perform this function. In fact, a larger water storage
tank can prolong the life of your pump, as it reduces the need for the pump to cycle as
often. Most wear and tear on the well pump occurs when it stops and starts.
There are times, however, when the well capacity is so low that a two-pump system is needed.
In a two-pump system, the well pump supplies water to an atmospheric storage tank. A
second pump, a shallow well unit, takes water from the atmospheric tank and discharges it
into the pressure tank or directly into the system. Its operation is controlled with a pressure
switch.
Ensure Adequate Water Pressure
Water pressure is the final consideration in sizing the well pump. Pressure must be sufficient
to force the water through the piping system to the highest outlet and to properly operate
modern appliances, continuously and when other outlets are also in use.
Most appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, require a pressure of at least
10 pounds per square inch (psi) at their inlet for proper operation. Lawn sprinklers usually
require a minimum of 20 psi and sometimes up to 40 psi. The installation of water conditioning equipment, such as water softeners, results in a pressure drop in the system for different
flow rates and must be considered in determining required pressure.
If the piping system is old and the inside diameters of the pipes are reduced due to deposits
of rust or lime, the friction loss through the system will be great. Therefore, a higher-pressure
setting will be required. If the pump is located a distance from the house, and particularly
if it is at a lower elevation, higher pressure is required. Most modern water systems are
set to operate between 30 psi to 50 psi or between 40 psi to 60 psi.
A conservative method of determining the best pressure setting is to have a pressure of
20 psi at the inlet side of the fixture that is the highest and farthest from the pump, as
measured when water is flowing through the fixture.
Select the Right Pump
Each type of well pump has advantages and limitations. In working with your water well
professional, review some of the following factors before making a final selection:
• Adequate capacity (gallons per minute) for present and future use.
• Adequate pressure for present and future use and for the possibility of a lower water
level in the well.
• Cost of the pump.
• Cost of the labor to install the pump.
• Cost of materials to install the pump, such as piping, fittings, accessories, well pit, etc.
• Power supply.
• Area needed to install the pump. Is there enough space available?
• Reliability of the pump.
• Cost and ease of servicing the pump.
• Cost of operating the pump, including power and parts.
This entry was posted on 01/12/2011 at 11:00 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
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