Our plumber recommends that we replace our old well pump. Recommends the Gould 1/2hp. So I have a few questions, since I cannot track down a local well pump contractor in the phone book or on the web:
1. What's better: 1/2hp or 3/4hp? I've read 3/4hp pumps are a little more money, but more efficient. True or false?
2. Is jet pump the best option? - somewhere i've read that "sub" pumps are longer lasting and less repair. (what do "sub" and "jet" mean, anyway?)
3. What about Gould brand? any comments on reliability?
4. How do people "muffle" the din of a running pump? I'm thinking of sound proofing the floor above as safest for the pump. Are there any "quiet" pumps?
5. Any place on the web to track down certified pump contractors?

 

Need to know more info, depth of well? standing water level?
size of well casing? How many gpm?
if it is a 2" well you cant use a submersible.
It is considererd a shallow well if is 25 feet or less.
In that case you could use a 3/4 or 1/2 hp shallow well jet pump. Ace 1/2 hp jet pump is around $149.
The advantage of a jet pump is that its much easier to service than a submersible.
Advantages of submersible is that you dont hear them, and they are very reliable.
Just my 2 cents, maybe the wellguy will give us more info.

 

The best thing to do if you are happy with your volume and pressure is to replace the pump with the exact same type and HP. Someone has already figured out what you needed, so there is no reason to reininvent the wheel.

It sounds as if you are having trouble determining what type of pump you have now. If you look at the make and model number on the pump (not the motor, the pump), you should be able to google that and find out what you have.

People have written in here after putting in a 3/4 hp which replaced their 1/2 hp pump. They write here complaining about sand in the water or running out of water. The pump is too powerful for their well.

I would work harder at finding a pump house and or a well man. Don't worry about "certified." If the paper yellow pages (not internet yellow pages) fail, (make sure you look under water, plumbing supplies etc.) ask the neighbors what they do? Ask at the barber shop and the store. They aren't all doing things themselves.

Gould is a fine brand. Stay away from the pumps in the Big Box stores.

 

There's a pretty good difference between the capacities of the Goulds 1/2 and 3/4 hp jetpumps. As Vey stated, if what you have is working well, then stay with it.
Goulds has two different models of shallow well jets, the J Series and the JRS Series. The J Series is a bit more expensive, but is a much better pump.
Stay away from big box store pumps. They're cheap for a reason.
Ron

 

thanks alot, everyone. I believe mine is a shallow well. I saw that the water was only about 12-15 feet below ground, and the plumber, who was descending in his ladder, said he could see bottom at about 6-7 feet below water surface level.

I did get the name and info. on the existing pump: Burke #5HNA, serial # 119076, installed March 21, 1988, according to tag on it. Company doesn't make these anymore; so they said when i called about it.

I"ll ask about the Gould "J" series. reliability preferred to cost savings.

pump noise emanating from our pump in cellar is driving me crazy. I'll ask the pump guy about submersibles.

Not sure what to say about water pressure. generally, it seems ok, but it is sometimes a little bit weak... like,... occasinally it's noticeable when the shower is running, and the bathroom sink gives out a weaker amount. i haven't seen this elsewhere in the house, but then i'm not usually running 2 water spigots elsewhere in the house either - just in the bathroom

I don't know answers to the following questions you had:
1) what is a "casing"?
2) no idea what my gallons per minute but pressure is reasonably ok - however, i like a blasting shower, so for me it could always be better than it is.
3) what is a "2 inch well"?

 

The casing is the pipe that goes down into your well.
This can be made of PVC or galvanized metal.
Most wells around here use a 4 inch diameter pvc pipe, meaning it has a four inch casing.
A 2 inch casing would be a 2 inch pipe.
A submersible pump goes down into the well casing, so that is why you must have a 4 inch well for it to fit down into the casing.
If you have a shallow well then it is possible that it is a 2 inch or even a 1 1/4 inch well.
you dont have a lot of water in your well, so you may have to use a smaller pump for that reason.
You really should get a well guy to check it out, he can tell you what your GPM is etc , and then you can make a decision as to which pump to buy.
And the Ace pump I described is actually made by Myers, and they just put the Ace label on it. Still say, great pump for the money!

 

Submersible pumps are long. Some quite long... If you only have 10-12 feet of water your motor will virtually have to be sitting in the sand in the bottom of the well in order for the pump to be a reasonable depth below static water line. Not a good environment for the motor.

My call is stick with the jet pump.

 

There are ways to reduce the noise. Rather than just bolting directly to a slab of concrete, rubber or a spring mounting can be used. Like motor mounts on a car engine.

Hoses can connect to the pipes rather than a direct connection, which reduces the noise an vibration coming up the piping into the house.

A small "house" over or around the pump using flat boards of insulation can be made provided that there is enough air flow around it so that the motor doesn't overheat. The insulation absorbs noise.

Ask the plumber and I'll bet he can come up with some ideas.

 

thanks everybody. i learned alot here.