Which pump will give your home reliable water service, the best efficiency, and the right capacity for your well?
What Type Of Pump Is Best For A Residential Water Well?
Choosing the right pump for your residential water well is one of the most important decisions you’ll make about your home’s water system. In this guide, you’ll learn the main pump types, how to match pump selection to well conditions and household needs, installation and maintenance basics, troubleshooting tips, and cost and energy considerations so you can make an informed choice.
Why Pump Selection Matters
The pump you choose affects water pressure, reliability, energy costs, and how long your well components last. Picking the wrong pump can lead to short cycling, dry well issues, higher electric bills, premature motor failure, and poor water delivery. You want a pump that matches your well’s depth, yield, and your household’s flow and pressure needs.
Quick Overview: Main Pump Types for Residential Wells
You’ll commonly encounter these pump types for private wells:
- Submersible pumps — installed inside the well below the water level; best for deep wells and higher flow rates.
- Jet pumps — typically mounted aboveground; used for shallow wells or with a down-hole jet for deeper wells.
- Shallow-well jet pumps — for wells shallower than about 25 feet.
- Deep-well jet pumps (with downhole jet) — for moderate depths, often up to ~100-120 feet.
- Centrifugal (surface) pumps — used for very shallow wells or booster applications.
- Hand pumps — manual backup or low-flow remote sites.
- Positive displacement pumps (e.g., piston or diaphragm) — used where steady, higher pressures are needed, often for irrigation, livestock, or specialized cases.
You’ll choose based on well depth, well yield, required flow (GPM), desired pressure, power availability, and budget.
How Well Characteristics Influence Pump Choice
Before buying a pump, you’ll need data from your well. You’ll want to know:
- Static water level (distance from ground to water surface when well is idle)
- Pumping water level (water level at a given pumping rate)
- Well depth
- Well yield or specific capacity (GPM per foot of drawdown)
- Casing diameter (affects what pumps will physically fit)
These numbers help you determine required pump setting depth, pressure head, and drawdown tolerances.
Static vs. Pumping Water Level
You’ll measure static water level with a water level tape. Pumping water level is measured while the well is producing at a known rate. The difference between static level and pumping level is drawdown — a critical factor for avoiding pump exposure and running the well dry.
Well Yield and Drawdown
Well yield tells you how much water the well can deliver sustainably (GPM). You should choose a pump whose flow does not exceed sustainable yield. A common rule is to select a pump that uses about 50–80% of the well’s sustainable yield to preserve longevity and avoid over-pumping.
Submersible Pumps — The Most Common Residential Choice
Submersible pumps are electric multi-stage centrifugal pumps that sit inside the well below the water level. They’re the most popular choice for modern residential wells.
Why you might choose a submersible pump
- Excellent for deep wells and moderate-to-high flow needs.
- Quiet operation since the pump is underwater.
- Efficient — less energy loss because motor is directly coupled to pump and there’s no priming issue.
- Reduced risk of air lock and cavitation when properly sized and installed.
Typical applications
- Domestic water for single-family homes
- Irrigation and lawn systems
- Larger flow requirements or deeper wells (usually over 25–30 feet)
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Efficient for deep installations | More costly to service (requires pulling from well) |
| Quiet and reliable when maintained | Requires proper electrical and motor protection |
| Fits many well depths and yields | Can be damaged by sand and poor water quality |
Installation and maintenance notes
You’ll need to size the motor horsepower (HP) to match total dynamic head (TDH) and desired flow. A pressure switch and tank will manage cycles. Regular maintenance includes checking pressure tank pre-charge, monitoring current draw, and occasional inspections for sand or particulate damage.
Jet Pumps — Surface Pumps for Shallow and Moderate Depths
Jet pumps are installed above ground and move water by creating suction with a jet assembly. There are two main types: shallow-well jet pumps and deep-well jet pumps (with a downhole jet assembly).
When you’ll want a shallow-well jet pump
- Well depth less than about 25 feet.
- Lower initial cost and simpler service.
- You have a small household or limited water needs.
When you’ll want a deep-well jet pump
- Can be used up to roughly 100–120 feet with downhole jet, but efficiency drops with depth.
- You’ll use suction and a high-pressure nozzle and venturi down-hole.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easier and cheaper to service (above ground) | Less efficient for deeper wells |
| No need to pull the well for pump service | Jet pumps can cavitate if margins are tight |
| Suitable for shallow installations | Performance sensitive to pipe leakage and suction restrictions |
Practical considerations
Jet pumps must be primed and are more vulnerable to air leaks. If your household pump room is contested for space or the well is deeper than 50 feet, submersible pumps are usually better.
Pressure Tanks and Controls: You’ll Need Them
Regardless of pump type, you’ll use a pressure tank to prevent rapid on/off cycling (short cycling). A properly sized pressure tank extends pump life and gives steady water pressure.
How pressure tanks work for you
A pressure tank stores water under compressed air. When water demand drops pressure, the pump starts to refill the tank when pressure hits a lower cut-in value and stops at an upper cut-out value. Typical settings are 30/50 psi for many homes.
Sizing the pressure tank
You’ll size the tank based on pump flow (GPM) and desired drawdown. A larger tank reduces cycles. Manufacturers provide tables, or your contractor can calculate exact needs. For a typical single-family home with a 1–1.5 HP pump, a 40–80 gallon tank is common.
Controls and protection
Use a properly sized pressure switch, motor starter or service disconnect, and overload protection. Consider adding a low-water cut-off and dry-run protection to prevent pump burnout when the well runs low.
Matching Pump Type to Depth and Flow: A Simple Guide
This table helps you make an initial selection based on well depth and household demand.
| Well Depth | Typical Pump Type | Household Use |
|---|---|---|