There are many benefits to having a well water system instead of being tied into a municipal water supply. The biggest advantage is having your own source of water and not having to pay for high water bills.

If you’re building a new home or discover it’s time to replace your current well pump, you may not be sure what’s the best option. Allow us to explain the different types of pumps available.

Types of water well pumps:

Centrifugal pump – Only useful for shallow wells, this type of pump uses centrifugal force (like a toilet) to force water up the pipe and into your home. These are fairly simple devices and should deliver a longer service life.

Jet pump – Ideal for medium-depth wells, a jump pump uses an impeller and suction to pull water out from the well.

Submersible pump – A deep-well submersible pump is placed down into the well and pushes water up the pipe and into the home.

Solar-powered pump – Since these pumps do not need an electrical power source, they are more efficient than traditional pumps. They are more expensive upfront to install but then can save you money each money on energy costs.

Air-driven pump – Also called pneumatic pumps, these devices run off of air instead of electricity. Before you get too excited about this option, these pumps are normally only used in non-residential settings like industrial and commercial buildings.

Manual pump – Usually you only want to rely on a manual pump for emergencies or temporary situations. The good news is they are lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to install and remove from the well.

How deep is your well?

One of the most important considerations when choosing a Diaphragm water pump is the depth of your well. In most cases, if the well is less than 25 feet deep, a centrifugal or shallow-well jet pump is suitable. If the well is between 25-110 feet, a deep-well jet pump is usually ideal. For deeper wells, a submersible pump may be the best choice.

Other important components of water pumps

In addition to the motor and mechanisms for drawing water up through the ground, your water pump may have these important components.

Pressure tank – Monitors water flow and controls water pressure for consistency.

Check valve – A one-way valve that prevents water from going back down the pipe and into the well.

Pressure switch – Automatically turns off the pump when pressure is too high to prevent damage.

Foot valve – Found in deep-well pumps, the foot valve stops water from flowing back down to the source.