For those who rely on well water for their daily needs, understanding the capabilities and limitations of a well pump is essential.
One common question that arises is how long a well pump can run continuously without experiencing any adverse effects.
While it’s natural to wonder about the pump’s durability and efficiency, the answer to this question depends on various factors.
Borehole starter pumps can work for up to 24 hours. Generally speaking, borehole pumps operate for between 6 and 8 hours per day.
These pumps are designed to run continuously for extended intervals, often 24 hours a day. As a result, the exact duration depends on factors such as the pump’s quality, sizing, and cooling.
When choosing a good pump, it’s crucial to choose a high-quality unit, size the pump properly to match your water requirements and ensure the cooling mechanism is adequate.
Remember that running a pump constantly for a long time may cause wear and tear, so monitor its performance regularly. You will be facing skyrocketing utility bills if you continuously run electrical pumps.
Recent models are designed to shut off after a certain amount of time to prevent overheating. A pump of this type is common in private well systems for homes.
Can Borehole Pumps Run Non-Stop?
For boreholes, we primarily use two types of pumps. There are two kinds of pumps: jet pumps and submersible pumps.
You should expect your borehole pump to last several years. It should be fine if you schedule your borehole pump to run continually for a couple of hours a day.
However, several factors will play a role in this. Three factors are involved: borehole size, pump capacity, and demand. As well as how well the pump is maintained, it has an impact on its performance.
Well, pumps are cooled by water. Their cooling and functioning depend on water. A well pump can go bad if the water falls below its propeller when the water level falls below that.
You will find information on working times, maintenance requirements, and pump capacity in the operator’s manual for your pump.
There is no reason why submersible pumps should not be able to run continuously for years at a time. Their bodies don’t need rest. That’s how they were designed.
Generally, industrial and commercial pumps are designed to work 24/7, provided that they are submerged constantly.
However, an operator’s manual should include recommended maintenance points. Check the model’s manual online if you have the model and find this information there.
A pressure transmitter on a pump, or a temperature sensor, could be used to determine whether any abnormalities in its standard operation indicate maintenance is required.
The exact time your well pump runs will depend on the volume of water in your well, your tank’s size, the tank’s flow rate, and the pump’s pressure setting.
How Long Can a Well Pump Run Continuously?
Keeping an eye on how long a well pump should run is vital for avoiding any harm. It is generally true that most well pumps do not operate continuously but operate in cycles.
The well pump runs for a short period before stopping to cool down. The time it takes to pump water depends mainly on the type of well pump. Some pumps should last longer than others.
The maximum continuous working time of some engines is two hours. It is important for modern well pumps to work for a shorter period of time to avoid overheating.
Water well pumps are primarily designed to provide enough water to users.
Pumping water from your well will fill up your water storage tank. It depends mainly on the well pump you have installed, whether your well pump runs throughout the cycle or continuously until your storage tank isn’t full.
Submersible Pumps
Pumps used in submersible systems are economical and industrial. The submersible pump operates entirely underwater. With its high suction power, the submersible pump is used in shallow and deep wells.
How does A Submersible Pump work?
An underwater submersible uses rotational energy to pressurize water and force it upward.
Pumps force water out by pulling it into their impeller and forcing it through the impeller. Wells with deep water need submersible pumps because they must be completely sealed.
Run Time of A Submersible Pump
This device can tap a water well up to 25 feet deep. Due to its larger storage and supply capacity, a submersible pump is more suitable for deep wells than centrifugal pumps.
With this incredible feature, submersible pumps can run continuously for longer periods of time.
Centrifugal Well Pump
An electric water well pump is the simplest type. It is powered by the rotational force that centrifugal pumps operate.
Compared with submersible and jet pumps, centrifugal pumps require less energy. The centrifugal pump is used for shallow wells. Therefore, it uses less energy.
How does A Centrifugal Well Pump work?
It uses rotational force to force water through the impellers and drive it upward through their velocity. Normally, the centrifugal pump runs for 20 minutes at a time.
Run Time Of A Centrifugal Pump
The centrifugal pump is used in shallow wells less than 25 feet deep. Considering centrifugal pumps are used for shallow pumps and use less power, they run out of water very fast.
Tip For Centrifugal Pump
Overrunning your centrifugal pump can damage its mechanisms and damage your pump or can cause stress on your system. A centrifugal pump can fill your water tank up to the top during its running cycle.
The Jet Pump
Besides being extremely powerful and exclusive, the jet pump is used in shallow and deep wells.
Other good pumps cannot match the suction power of this pump. A powerful pump like this one is meant to pump water from wells that go deeper than 100 feet.
How does A Jet Pump work?
There is no better pump on the market to drain water from deep wells than the jet pump, which has the strongest suction power.
Water is drawn into the jet pumps with the help of a pressurized nozzle, which forces the water upward out of the well.
Run Time Of A Jet Pump
Water well pumps are generally more powerful as well as deeper. In line with its name, jet pumps force water up quickly, so they will not need to run for long.
In order to make the jet pump run for 60 seconds when required, your water storage tank should be large or compatible with the jet pump’s size.
Tip for Jet Pump
There is no limit to how long the jet pump can run continuously. Otherwise, you will need to prime the jet pump again if it loses pressure and runs out of water.
Will Running A Well Pump Continuously Cause Burn Out?
Overheated and burned-out well pumps will affect wells for a long time. A professional should check the frequency or extent of pre-priming.
A high temperature continues to exist in the motor even when the pump is turned off. Once the motor cools down, it takes about a minute. Currently, users can restart the motor without causing any damage.
At least one minute after each minute of work, you should take a break. It is recommended to turn the pump on for 2 minutes, then turn it off for 2 minutes to ensure pump longevity.
What To Do If My Pump Runs Too Much?
The pressure setting on both the tank and the pump should be checked if your well water pump runs too much or frequently. Analyze the reasons behind the fluctuation of the tank’s water level.
There may have been some tampering with your well pump setting. Your settings need to be adjusted. You may have lost the prime in the well pump, or the pressure control switch may malfunction.
A household appliance may be continuously consuming water. There are times when the well piping leaks, resulting in the pump running on and off constantly.
How Often Should A Well Pump Cycle?
The amount of water you use, the tank’s size, and the motor’s power will determine the cost. Pump cycles are impossible because water usage cannot be controlled, especially if there are children around.
The lifespan and functionality of well pumps can be extended by cycling them at a minimum. Well, pumps cycle between 30 seconds and two minutes if everything in your water system works correctly.
Why Is My Well Pump Not Shutting Off?
A well pump will shut off automatically when a certain level of water is reached in the pressure tank. In either case, you may notice that your pump seems to run longer and won’t shut off.
Most likely, the cause is a leak or an open faucet in the system. Because of continuous water flow, the tank’s water level is low, which causes the pump to run longer.
What Is The Effect Of Excessive Cycling On A Well Pump?
Well, pumps generate a surge of energy when they start up that heats them. In the case of excessive cycling, allow us to say 300 to 400 times a day; the pump cannot cool down.
In normal cycling, the motor is either air-cooled or liquid-cooled, allowing the pump to remain cool. Whenever the motor starts too often without cooling down, it affects the pump and everything inside the well system.
Pump cycling affects all components; pressure switches, starters, relays, and capacitors. Further, the motor should be run for an adequate duration after starting so that it has time to cool down.
Final Words
Well pumps should not run continuously since that will lead to your well drying out. You may suffer serious damage to your entire water system if you do this.
It’s simple to set up your well pump to keep filled your water storage tank by using a pressure switch and pressure tank, preventing the pump from running continuously.
As a result, it is important to know how long the well pump should run continuously to avoid any potential dangers. There is a difference depending on the type of pump.
It is not uncommon for pumps to operate continuously for as long as two hours without cooling down, although some pumps can run continually for longer periods.
