Well pumps are of many types, so you are bound to get confused as to which one is the best for you when considering well pump installation. Here is a thorough comparison between jet pumps and submersible well pumps.
The Differences Between Jet Pumps And Submersible Pumps
Function
First things first, before even diving into the specifics, you need to know what exactly a pump does and how it operates. The moving parts of the pump and how each works is crucial to know if you want the maintenance to be a breeze.
Jet Pumps
Jet pumps are pumps that pull water out of the well and are equipped with a water motor as well to pull the water from the well and into different parts of the house. This pump also comes with a pressure well tank, which evens out the water in your home and prevents pressure fluctuations and other things.
Jet pumps are amazing but they do require a bit more maintenance, as some of them aren’t self-priming and some can be. So, you need to keep this in mind when buying a jet pump for your home.
Submersible Well Pumps
Submersible pumps are newer additions in the well pump world, because they are highly efficient. They are also pumps coupled with motors to ensure that the water reaches the top without any problem, but the difference between jet pumps and submersible pumps is the fact that there is no pressure tank in submersible pumps.
These pumps are fully submerged underwater inside the well and they also work efficiently. As far as maintaining it is concerned, submersible well pumps are easier to maintain than any other pump, because they don’t have a lot of moving parts.
Efficiency
The efficiency of a pump, especially if it’s pulling water from deep water wells is extremely important to consider.
Jet Pumps
Jet pumps aren’t as efficient as other pump types, because the mechanism of driving water from the pump involves a pulling motion, which requires a lot more energy and can cause wear and tear of the moving parts in the pump. This is why it’s recommended that you maintain these pumps regularly so that they don’t break down on you when you least expect it.
Submersible Well Pumps
They are much more efficient than jet pumps, because, unlike jet pumps, submersible well pumps employ a pushing motion rather than pulling the water out of the deep well.
This action requires way less energy and it doesn’t put a lot of strain on the pump motor either, so all is well until the end. Submersible well pumps are also quite easy to maintain and they don’t need to be primed, since the water they’re submerged in, acts as a lubricant for the most part.
Depth Of The Well
The next factor that you need to consider when choosing a well pump replacement Knoxville is the depth of the well. A well pump isn’t exactly one size fits all. It needs to be selected meticulously and the well depth is one of the most important factors to go over. If the pump is too small and the well is too deep, then it won’t function properly and that’s not what you want.
Jet Pumps
As far as jet pumps are concerned, they are generally used in shallow wells that are about 15-25 feet deep. Anything more than this and your pump won’t be able to work properly and that is not a good thing at all, because you won’t be able to have water supply in your house. If you have a shallow well, then you can use a jet pump without any problem.
Submersible Well Pumps
These pumps are designed to be used in depths greater than 100 feet. So, if you have a very deep well or if it’s an industrial well that has a lot of water and at a greater depth, then you need to go for a submersible pump.
The only thing that you need to look out for is the fact that submersible pumps work the best when they’re completely submerged – hence the name – so you need to ensure that the well has plenty of water, otherwise the pump may burn out and malfunction.
Pressure
The next order of importance is the pressure of the water and how much pressure you need in your house. The pressure in a well increases as the depth increases, and when the water is being pulled from the well, the pressure is bound to decrease.
Jet Pumps
Jet pumps are amazing if you have extensive plumbing systems because the water streaming from the well is going to come into the faucets at an optimum pressure and that’s what you want at the end of the day.
Submersible Well Pumps
As for submersible well pumps, these pumps will work better if there is a lot of water in the well to begin with.
If you don’t have a lot of water in the well, then not only a submersible well pump won’t function, but it will also spit water out instead of letting it flow in a steady stream. So, you want to ensure that there is a sizable water table for you to work with, otherwise things won’t work out.
Lifespan
The lifespan of the pump will also determine the degree of maintenance and you want to choose a pump that has a longer lifespan, but less maintenance.
Jet Pumps
As far as jet pumps are concerned, they tend to be a bit heavy on the maintenance side of things and this is exactly why they are not great as long-lasting pumps.
There are just a lot of moving parts in a jet pump and you need to keep your eyes peeled for every single thing and keep it maintained because if you don’t, then the pump can stop working altogether and that’s not what you want.
Submersible Well Pumps
Submersible pumps are better when it comes to maintenance because first of all, they don’t get overheated since they are almost usually underwater. That is also the same thing that keeps lubrication at bay too and you can use the pump without any worries of it wearing down and facing other problems.
Submersible well pumps also tend to last longer because they don’t need to be maneuvered and opened all of the time, so they stay intact and work amazingly for years to come.
Noise
This is something that a lot of people consider, the noise of the pumps can either drive you to insanity or make your life peaceful.
Jet Pumps
Since jet pumps are located above the ground, they have a bit more noise than other pumps, so when you power it up, you will hear the thumping noise of the pump.
Submersible Well Pumps
They seldom have noise, mainly because they’re underground and underwater and this placement blocks almost all of the noise, but they are generally quieter and softer than jet pumps, so they’re better for your ears.
Conclusion
Jet and submersible well pumps both have their own sets of qualities and downsides, so this guide will help you understand which pump suits your needs the most. You can also consult a well pump service Smithsburg for recommendations and installation.