When sizing a domestic booster pump, you need to measure the current water pressure against the amount of pressure that the booster pump can provide. For instance, a building looking to boost water pressure from 20 to 40 psi will require a booster pump capable of producing 20 psi.
Measure the Current Water PressureWhile sizing a water booster pump, measure the current water pressure against the amount of pressure provided by a given booster pump. If you are looking to boost water pressure from 25 PSI to 40 PSI, then you will require a booster pump capable of producing 15 PSI.
Flow and pressure can be represented in a graph, with pressure measured in bar (or psi) on the vertical axis and flow in litres per hour on the horizontal axis. If you know what your flow and pressure requirements are, these graphs will guide you to make the right choice when it comes to a water pressure booster pump.
In individual units and buildings, household pumps are used to improve the water pressure, and in large buildings and complexes and many units, water supply pump boosters are used to solve the water pressure problem, especially on the upper floors.
If you have issues with low pressure at faucets, showerheads, or other fixtures in your home or building, booster pumps are an easy and efficient long-term solution.
Most of these are centrifugal pumps that take water from a source, move it through an impeller (single-stage) or multiple impellers (multi-stage) to increase water pressure. The high-pressure water then flows through an outlet.
Average sized homes with modern appliances would allow for up to 4 different tap combinations to recommend a 50LPM household pump. Larger homes with more than one bathroom should allow for up to 6 different tap combinations, so a household pump rated up to 70LPM would be suitable.
3/4 HP - 1 HP Submersible Sump Pumps
In addition, if you have an installation where you need a high vertical lift or head (20-30 feet) and/or a long horizontal run (150-250 feet), 3/4 - 1 HP pumps provide the additional power needed to pump that water.
A 1/2 horsepower submersible pump can lift water from your lake to a height of 35 ft but you may need a more powerful pump depending on the flow rate in gallons per minute that you require. @Anthony, First we need to know what is limiting the well's output.
On average these water pump systems can last between around 8-15 years, so although it may be costly to repair or replace you can have the peace of mind that it will pay for itself over the years.
Even if installed outside, a low-noise pump is recommended in order to not disturb neighbours if the pump starts during the night. Water pressure in water mains can be very high at times. Therefore, you must choose a pump with a sufficient material strength to handle the combined inlet and pump pressure.
The most important factors to consider when sizing a water pump come down to GPM/PSI ratings, inlet/outlet size for water and hoses, how high you'll need to pump the water (measured in vertical feet), referred to as total head lift, and how far you'll need to pump the water horizontally.
Pump Size Number
Note that the size number 1-1/2 x 3 – 6 indicates that the pump has a 1-1/2 inch discharge port, a 3 inch suction port, and a maximum nominal impeller size of 6 inches. This type of nomenclature is common, with some companies putting the 3 in the first position instead of the 1-1/2.
Water has the unfortunate quality of being heavier than air. In fact, it weighs 62.4 pounds per cubic foot. This mass requires a pressure of 0.433 psi to lift water one foot (62.4 lbs/144 in in ft). To put it another way, one psi will lift water 2.31 feet (1/0.433).
With rated head and discharge insulation in the b class, a special motor design may operate on UPS systems and prime up to 3 meters of static suction lift without using a foot valve. Specifications power rating: 1 HP; head: 3 to 32 meters; capacity: 3100 to 500 LPH.
This is also expressed as 100 "feet of head." To fill the water tank, a pump must develop 43.3 psi or 100 ft. of head to lift water to the top of the water tank. Similarly, a water tower 150 ft. high would create 150 x 0.433 or 65 psi pressure at ground level.
A pump that is too big can cause the water lines to hold too much pressure.
An oversized pump will deliver more flow than is required for the system. Depending on the application, it may be necessary to reduce the flow with a throttling valve, or by trimming the impeller.
Booster pump types. Single-stage booster pumps are best suited for detached houses and residential buildings with moderate pressure requirements. Usually, a single-stage booster pump is sufficient for the needs of a building. When water pressure requirements are extremely high, multi-stage booster pumps come in handy.
Compared to horizontal models, vertical pumps occupy a smaller footprint and are therefore an excellent solution for installations where the available floor space is limited. Vertical pumps are very well suited to pumping high-pressure fluids even at high temperatures.
The cost of the average pressure booster is around $800 (not including the labor cost for installing the unit), but the price can increase to over $1,000, depending on the features and size of the booster kit you choose.