How to Choose a Well Pump: Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing the right well pump means matching the pump type, size, and capacity to your well's depth and your home's water needs. Here's how to get it right.
📋 In This Guide
🎯 Quick Decision Guide
Well depth under 25 feet:
→ Shallow well jet pump
Well depth 25-90 feet:
→ Convertible jet pump OR submersible
Well depth over 90 feet:
→ Submersible pump (required)
Deep well (200ft+):
→ Submersible pump, 1HP or larger
Step 1: Know Your Well
Before choosing a pump, you need to know these key specs about your well:
📏 Well Depth
Total depth of your well in feet. Check your well log or measure with a weighted string.
💧 Static Water Level
Depth to water when pump is off. This is how far the pump must lift water.
🔄 Well Yield (GPM)
How much water your well produces. Should be on your well log or from a flow test.
⭕ Casing Diameter
Inside diameter of well casing (typically 4", 5", or 6"). Affects which pumps fit.
If you don't have this information, a well professional can help you determine these specs.
Step 2: Choose the Pump Type
Submersible Pumps (Most Common)
Submersible pumps sit inside the well, underwater. They push water up to your home.
✅ Pros
- • Work at any depth
- • More efficient (push vs. pull)
- • Quieter (underwater)
- • Self-priming
- • Longer lifespan (10-15+ years)
❌ Cons
- • Higher upfront cost
- • Must pull from well to service
- • Requires professional installation
Best for: Most residential wells, especially those deeper than 25 feet. This is what we install 90%+ of the time.
Jet Pumps (Shallow Wells)
Jet pumps sit above ground and pull water up from the well using suction.
✅ Pros
- • Lower upfront cost
- • Easy to access for service
- • Simple installation
❌ Cons
- • Limited depth (under 25ft shallow, 90ft deep)
- • Less efficient
- • Noisier
- • Can lose prime
Best for: Shallow wells (under 25 feet) or as a budget option for wells up to 90 feet.
Constant Pressure Systems
Variable-speed pumps that maintain consistent pressure regardless of demand. Great for larger homes or those with pressure-sensitive fixtures (irrigation, tankless water heaters).
Best for: Homes needing consistent pressure, large homes, properties with irrigation systems.
Step 3: Size the Pump Correctly
Horsepower (HP) by Depth
| Well Depth | Typical HP | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 100 ft | 1/2 HP | Most shallow wells |
| 100-200 ft | 3/4 HP | Common residential depth |
| 200-400 ft | 1 HP | Deeper wells |
| 400-600 ft | 1.5 HP | Deep wells |
| 600+ ft | 2+ HP | Very deep wells |
Flow Rate (GPM) Requirements
Your pump needs to deliver enough gallons per minute (GPM) for your household:
- Average home (2-3 bathrooms): 6-12 GPM
- Larger home (4+ bathrooms): 12-20 GPM
- With irrigation: Add 5-10+ GPM
- Rough rule: 1 GPM per fixture that could run simultaneously
⚠️ Don't Oversize
A pump that's too powerful for your well can outpace the well's yield, causing it to pump dry. Match the pump's GPM to your well's production capacity.
Step 4: Consider Quality & Brand
Not all pumps are created equal. For a pump that will last 10-15+ years:
- Quality brands: Franklin Electric, Grundfos, Goulds, Pentair — these are industry standards
- Stainless steel construction: Resists corrosion, especially important with mineral-heavy water
- Warranty: Look for 3-5 year manufacturer warranties
- Local support: Choose brands your installer can service and get parts for
Step 5: Don't Forget the System
A pump is just one part of your well system. Make sure you also consider:
- Pressure tank: Should be properly sized for your pump (too small = excessive cycling)
- Pressure switch: Controls when the pump turns on/off
- Check valve: Prevents backflow and maintains prime
- Control box: Required for most submersible pumps
- Wire gauge: Must match pump power and distance from well
Well Pump Cost Comparison
| Pump Type | Pump Cost | Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Shallow jet pump | $100-300 | $400-800 |
| Deep well jet pump | $200-400 | $600-1,200 |
| Submersible (1/2-3/4 HP) | $200-500 | $1,200-2,500 |
| Submersible (1-1.5 HP) | $400-800 | $2,000-4,000 |
| Constant pressure system | $1,000-2,500 | $3,000-6,000 |
Need Help Choosing?
We can evaluate your well and recommend the right pump for your specific situation. Free estimates include pump sizing, system evaluation, and complete installation quote.
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