When it comes to choosing the correct pump for your well, you should know the pros and cons of different types of pumps to make an informed decision. 

Submersible Pump

A submersible pump is one that is sent down the well shaft and stays in the water below ground. Because the entire mechanism is completely submerged in the water, it is encased in metal to keep water away from the motor.  

Additionally, because they are below the water, the engine stays cool, which prolongs the pumps life. This placement also avoids cavitation problems that can happen with above-ground well pumps.  

Advantages to using a submersible pump are many. They can be used at many depths, even up to 400 feet deep in mountainous or dry climates. They are self-priming, which speeds up the priming process. They don't use as much energy because they use gravitational forces to send water to your home. 

Submersible pumps can also last for years with little to no maintenance; up to 25 years if your water has a low level of sediment. If you have higher sediment levels with no protection, your pump may only last five or six years. 

The disadvantages are few, but you should definitely consider them. Submersibles are the most expensive water pumps, which can be a deterrent. If your pump does begin to fail, it can be hard to pinpoint exactly what the problem may be until it's too late, and the pump needs to be replaced. If the pump is too strong for your well, it may cause the well to run dry. 

Jet Pumps 

Jet pumps can be used for many applications on your property besides pumping water to your home. You can use them for gardening and irrigation, as well as to remove unwanted water from ponds or to control water in an area prone to flooding. 

There are different types of jet pumps: shallow well, deep well, and submersible jet pumps. While your project will determine which type of jet pump might be best, jump pumps, in general, have some pros and cons.  

The shallow and deep well jet pumps can be offset from the well site, which gives you easier access to the pump when necessary. They can also be simply adjusted for the different yields of your well. Shallow jet pumps are generally used at depths of 18 to 25 feet deep, while deep well jet pumps can go as much as 110 feet. 

A submersible jet pump is very efficient and has a depth limit similar to a deep well jet pump. They also have a high capacity. 

All three types of jet pumps are normally the least expensive option, and they normally require the smallest amount of maintenance.  

One of the problems faced by all jet pumps is that they are easily damaged by sand and grit. A second problem all jet pumps have are cavitation issues, causing the pump to become gas locked, which will require maintenance. 

Centrifugal Pumps

Centrifugal pumps are very simple machines, where a motor's kinetic energy is used to move liquids from one end of the pump to the other. Because of this simplicity, there are many benefits to them.  

Water or liquid is kept completely separate from the motor, so there are no concerns about water getting where it doesn't belong. Centrifugal pumps don't have drive seals, which means no concerns about a possibly costly repair. Their outputs are very consistent, and they are smaller than other types of pumps with similar outputs. 

One of the major disadvantages of a centrifugal pump is that because it uses rotational power instead of suction, it has almost no suction power at all. So to fully function, the pump has to be installed and stay underwater. They can also have issues with cavitation. And lastly, these pumps are best for thinner liquids. If you need to move something highly viscous, a centrifugal pump may not be the best option. 

Depending on your individual needs, either a submersible, jet, or centrifugal pump might be the ideal choice. Let our experts at Brown & Cox help you make the right choice for your well needs.