Should you leave a well pump on all the time?

Author: Dr. Wilber Watsica II  |  Last update: Monday, July 7, 2025

Turning off your well pump reduces your risk of flood and water damage. Additionally, many people cannot stop themselves from thinking about their well pump that they left running. If you tend to overthink, turning off your pump before leaving town can bring your peace of mind.

Is it bad for a well pump to run continuously?

As long as the well doesn't run dry it can run continuously with no issue. The water in the well cools the pump so if it runs dry that's a risk that can kill the pump. Short cycling if the pump can also shorten the pump life as well.

Should I turn off the water pump when not in use?

Shutting off the pump is best. A pump switch could go bad and the pump could end up running continuously and burn up without you knowing as well.

Should I turn off my well pump?

You should turn off your pump using the circuit breaker located in your home's electrical panel. But be careful: if your pump shares a breaker with another appliance or system, you'll be cutting power to it, too.

How long can I leave my well pump running?

Submersible pumps are generally designed for continuous operation, making it acceptable to run them for 24 hours. Check the pump's specifications to ensure it is suitable for continuous use. Keep the pump submerged in water for cooling, consider power consumption, and perform regular maintenance.

7 Things Every Well Pump Owner Should Know

How long can a well pump run before it burns up?

Starter borehole pumps can run for up to 24 hours. However, your everyday borehole pump will run between 6 & 8 hours.

Should I turn my well pump off when I go on vacation?

Turn your pump off. Unless it is going to be below freezing, don't worry about draining the lines. Just turn a faucet on to deplete any pressure in the system. Definitely turn the water heater off.

How often should a well pump cycle on and off?

Depending on your water usage, your well pump should run for a few minutes and then stay off for a significant duration. If it's well pump cycles on and off too frequently, there's likely an underlying issue.

Does a well pump use a lot of electricity?

Average Energy Consumption

The average power rating of a well pump is about 700 to 800 watts. However, there is more to consider in calculating its average monthly electricity consumption than the power rating.

Can a well pump overheat and shut off?

These pump motors do have a thermal overload switch that is supposed to shut them down if they overheat. I contacted the manufacturer of these pumps and they stated that the thermal switch should trip at around 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Should the water pump be left on all the time?

Not necessarily, but it's a little bit like tempting fate. Nothing is definitely going to go wrong with your water pump if you leave it on, but leaving it on allows for the possibility of problems like leaks, floods, and drained batteries.

How do I shut off the water well pump?

Well Water Main Shut-off Valve
  1. Locate the well and pressure tank.
  2. Turn the valve at the well or pressure tank, depending on which is easier to access.
  3. If frozen pipes are a concern, turn both valves and drain the building's pipes.
  4. Run a faucet to ensure the water has been properly shut off.

How long should a water pump run continuously?

Unless your pump is installed in an area that's well below the water table, your device shouldn't be running continuously. In situations where there's flooding or excess water threatening your home, your pump can work continuously for up to 22 hours without showing signs of breakdown or fatigue.

What burns out a well pump?

Malfunctioning Well Pump Pressure Switch

A malfunctioning switch can cause the pump to run too often or too long and potentially burn out the motor. In addition, if the switch allows the pressure to go too high, it can put excess stress on the tank and pipes, potentially causing them to crack or even burst.

What is the minimum run time for a well pump?

Run time is another piece of the puzzle: 4” motors up to ¾ horsepower should run for at least one minute and motors over ¾ horsepower should run a minimum of two minutes to dissipate the heat build up from starting current.

What happens if my well pump doesn't shut off?

If your well pump keeps running, it's usually because of one of the following issues: You have a running appliance. The well pump may have lost prime. The pump pressure control switch is faulty.

Can I leave my well pump on all the time?

No, but eventually you will get a large electric bill. If it's a submersible, you will be ok for a while, but fix the leak soon. If it's a two pipe jet pump ( inside your home) with a leak in the drive line, it will be very soon that you will not have water at all.

Can a well pump cause high electric bill?

In some cases we've seen pumps that have become so worn or plugged that they con no longer make enough pressure to turn off. This means that the pump will run constantly! This causes the power bill to jumps $1000 in a single month!

Should a well pump run constantly?

Your well pump shouldn't run constantly. In fact, if you have this problem, you'll quickly see your electric bill going up. If you're noticing that it is, or if you're having problems with it cycling on and off repeatedly, it may be a sign of a problem.

How often should I flush my well pressure tank?

The tanks should be flushed semi-annually to remove accumulated sediments by opening the tank drain valve. These sediments could harbor and shield harmful microbes from chlorination should the well and home plumbing system require disinfection.

What is a good cycle time for a well pump?

Then when the pump shuts off, the motor is still warm, and it takes about a minute for the motor to cool down where it is safe to restart. So a minute on and a minute off has always been the minimum rule of thumb. Two minutes on and two minutes off is just that much better for the motor.

Do well pumps automatically shut off?

If the water pressure is too high, the pump turns off. This process of turning on and off is called cycling. Unfortunately, cycling can be very destructive to a well pump because it shortens the life of the motor and puts excessive wear on the control components.

Is it okay to turn off power to a well pump?

By shutting off the breaker, there should be no harm to the well pump system, provided the pump system is in good mechanical working order. However, you should also shut off the power to the hot water heater. In rare cases, a broken water line can siphon water out of the hot water heater, causing damage to the unit.

Does a well pump use a lot of power?

On average, a residential well pump consumes between 500 to 1,500 watts of power. For deeper or higher-yield wells, especially in agricultural settings, this number can significantly increase, sometimes requiring motors of 1,500 watts or more.

Do well pumps have an on off switch?

A pressure switch is a mechanical component most commonly found at the tank tee of the pressure tank. This switch senses pressure in your home's plumbing system by utilizing a small diaphragm and spring system that causes the switch to turn the well pump on and off.

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