Private water wells are an increasingly appealing option for many Floridians. Residential wells save you money, and let you control what is in your water. The heart of a well is the well pump. The type of well pump that your home needs depends on the type of well you have. Read on to learn about different kinds of well pumps.

What Do Well Pumps Do?

The well pump removes the water from the source and supplies it to the rest of the system. It sits inside of the well. Where exactly it sits inside the well depends on what type of pump it is. Pumps provide the water pressure for the entire water system that it covers. To clarify, without a functioning pump, there isn’t really much of a well.

Types of Well Pumps

There are three main options when it comes to residential well pumps. The type of well pump you need is determined by the depth of your private well.

1. Shallow Pump

The shallow pump, also called a centrifugal pump, is (unsurprisingly) used in shallow wells. Shallow pumps should never be submerged in water. This issue means that centrifugal pumps often get their own housing outside of the well cap for protection. While they usually are near the surface, these type of pumps can operate up to 25 feet below ground level.

Shallow pumps have a simple system that relies on suction. A single pipe goes down the borehole into the well shaft. Then the pump generates enough suction to the pull the water up from the well and into your home. Usually, these type of pumps are the cheapest, because it is the easiest to maintenance.

2. Deep Pump

Deep pumps are also known as submersible pumps. Once again, it does what it says in the name. A deep pump is designed for use 100 to 300 feet below ground. It is the opposite of centrifugal pumps in that it is designed to be submerged in the water.

While shallow pumps are cheaper, deep pumps are more popular in most areas. They are much more widely used because the variable depth they can be used at. Additionally, they are much more compatible with different styles of wells.

Submersible wells work by being submerged in the water. They pull water in and send it up a pipe that connects to the home. Usually they have a filter built in. However, if the well is being used for outdoor functions and will not be ingested, it may remain unfiltered.

3. Convertible Pump

Convertible pumps, or jet pumps, are a happy medium between shallow and deep pumps. The convertible option works from the surface through 90 feet below ground level. This option, much like a submersible one, is valued for its variability.

A jet pump works with – you guessed it – “jet power”. An ejector creates water pressure through the use of a vacuum. The powerful force of a vacuum creates a strong jet-like stream of water. Jet pumps are more budget friendly than deep pumps, but tend to break more often.