How to Choose the Right Sump Pump for Your Home

The rainy season is upon us, and it’s time to direct our attention to unwanted water in the basement! Is your sump pump in top condition and on the ready to handle pumping water out of your home? Do you have the right sump pump for your home installed? Read “5 Reasons Why Sump Pumps Fail You When You Need Them Most.”

Submersible sump pumps are the preferred choice for most homes. It’s important to choose the right sump pump with the right amount of horsepower for your home. This will save you money in the long run. When choosing, know this: all sump pumps are not created equal and the needs for one differ for every home.

The capacity to deliver water at a given flow rate varies according to:

1. depth of the sump pit
2. pump horsepower (HP)
3. sump pump model
4. pipe diameter, length, number and angles of bends or elbows
5. the presence of leaks or obstructions

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When Choosing the Right Sump Pump for Your Home, Consider This

Bigger is NOT always better when it comes to sump pumps. Installing a super-sized 12 HP special to blast water out of your basement as quickly as possible is not cost-effective. Why? It makes the pump cycle faster than necessary and therefore shortens its life causing the need for replacement.

When choosing the right sump pump for your home, start by checking the data plate on your current or previous sump pump. All sump pumps have a data plate on them. It provides the model and HP information for the sump pump. It’s best to stick with the same HP when replacing an old pump with a new one, but consider these things:

– All sump pumps are not created equal. Output can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Gallons Per Minute (GPM) delivered varies according to pump types and models.

– Vertical and electronic float switches work well in all sizes of sump pits.

– When using a tether float switch, your sump pit must have a diameter of 14 inches or larger.  If the diameter of the sump pit is smaller than 14 inches, a tether float switch can “stick.” Debris in your sump pit will cause the tether float switch to get hung up as well.

– Sump pumps come with different HP options. How much HP does a sump pump need to handle the average water table in your home?

– What must the water being discharged go through to get pumped out of the house?

• vertical lift off the sump pump
• degree of the elbow in the pipe
• length of horizontal pipe

Determining the Right Amount of Horsepower Needed From Your Sump Pump

Do you need more horsepower than your current sump pump provides? You do if the vertical lift off the sump pump is high, the horizontal pipe runs between 30 and 150 feet and you notice a loss of water flow. A higher HP will provide higher pumping capacity and will deliver an improved GPM.

1/3 HP Submersible Sump Pumps

The average home with an average water table needs no more than a 1/3 HP sump pump. It is the most common sized sump pump and handles most water tables easily. A 1/3 HP sump pump can handle 7 to 10 feet vertical lift off the sump pump, a 90-degree elbow and a horizontal pipe running between 3 and 25 feet.

1/2 HP Submersible Sump Pumps

The average home with an above average water table, will most likely require a 1/2 HP sump pump. This sized sump pumps about 35 to 40 percent more water than 1/3 HP sump pumps do. If water is higher than usual, a 1/3 HP can handle a higher vertical lift when discharging water. A 1/2 HP sump pump can handle 7 to 10 feet vertical lift off the sump pump, a 90-degree elbow and a horizontal pipe running between 3 and 25 feet.

3/4 HP Submersible Sump Pumps

A 3/4 HP pump has a pumping capacity 20 to 25 percent more than a 1/2 HP sump pump has. A pump of this size can handle a high vertical lift of 20 to 30 feet and/or horizontal pipe running between 150 to 250 feet. When should you consider a 3/4 HP sump pump for your home?

• your home is located in a flood plain or low-lying area
• water tables are high in your area and susceptible to flooding
• your basement is deep
• the water is discharged through more than 10 feet of horizontal pipe
• you’re using the pump for outdoor pumping

If your home needs a sump pump installed, maintained or needs one replaced, contact Blue Frost Heating & Cooling at (630) 761-9007 today. We will determine the right sump pump for your home and properly install it for you. Don’t give piping, pressure relief valves, safety control, wiring, and plumbing another thought. Call Blue Frost Heating & Cooling and rest easy knowing your home is prepared for disaster, if and when it strikes.

Blue Frost Heating & Cooling

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Your trusted leader in home comfort and customer service since 1992.

Call (630) 761-9007 or click here for maintenance, repairs or installation.