Domestic Water Pump Installation: What Size Booster Pump Do I Need?

January 5th, 2023

Ever think about how water gets to the top floors of a high-rise structure for everyday living purposes, such as drinking, cleaning, and bathing? This is usually done with the help of a domestic water pump, which maintains ideal water pressure in areas with low or fluctuating water pressure.

The role of a booster pump is to draw water from the water supply line or source before boosting the available water pressure in the building.

Sizing a House Water Pressure Pump Booster

A water booster pump is usually installed at the point where a municipal water line enters a building. It is commonly set to run at 30-50 psi and consists of a pump, motor, pressure tank, and controller.

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.

After determining the pressure requirements, find out what type of booster pump is ideal for your requirement – whether it’s a single-stage or multiple-stage booster pump. Also, consider where the installation will take place. Is it an area with limited access? Then you should consider vertical booster pumps that consume less space than their counterpart horizontal booster pumps.

Here are some additional considerations to make when sizing a house water pressure pump:

1. Flow Rate

Since varying flow rates occur throughout the day in your building, be sure to calculate the flow rate. For instance, the morning time normally results in peak flow usage. This is because most people get ready for work and school in the morning. The same building may have a minimum flow usage when most people are sleeping. Thus, the flow rate that fixtures use may vary greatly.

 

2. Total Dynamic Head

Once you know the required flow rate, determine the total head pressure. Every floor in a high-rise building will translate into pressure loss from the main city supply. This may be due to static head, friction loss, and vertical loss. Consider these losses in the total dynamic head. Make sure your domestic water pump installation can overcome these losses at a given flow rate. Typically, a pump should be able to achieve a water pressure of 40 psi at the top of a residential building.

 

3. Number of Pumps

Determine the number of pumps your booster system will utilize. For a small application below 150 GPM, two pumps will suffice. Larger applications of more than 150 GPM can consider three-pump installations for greater dependability. For systems with extremely variable demands, where the demand can range from the highest peak possible, consider installing multiple water booster pumps.

 

4. Type of Pump

There are different types of water booster pumps available to accomplish the necessary pressure boost in your building. For instance, end suction pumps are great for low-head installations. They offer an economical equipment package. On the other hand, split-case pumps are best for low to medium heads. They are heavy-duty, offer extended product life, and require more space. Other pump types include multistage centrifugal and turbine pumps that are used for high-head applications.

 

5. Other Selection Considerations

Lastly, there are some additional factors that influence pump sizing and selection. For optimal performance, create a flow profile for your building and track pump demands and high usage points. Generally speaking, domestic applications require high rates of 4-6 hours/day flow. Also, we recommend you to consider multiple pumps with smaller horsepower rather than one large domestic water pump.

In Conclusion

No matter how big or high the building is, if it doesn’t have adequate water pressure, it’s uninhabitable. That’s why it’s better to invest in a domestic water pump, which will help you boost the available water pressure to the top floors of your building. We have discussed the important factors that should be taken into account when choosing a water pressure booster system for your building. We hope this information will help you decide on the right house water pressure pump.

To learn more about domestic water pump installation and sizing, contact us today!