My wife and I have lived for two years in a home built in 1993 on a 5-acre property. Water is supplied by a 1.5 Hp pump from a 450-ft well. Water quality and flow (5 gpm) are good, but there is no water storage other than what is in the pressure tank (I think about 80 gallons). Pressure is adequate, but not constant. You don't want to be in the shower when a toilet is flushed!
Annexed to the pump house, I have built an insulated shed to enclose a 2550-gallon water storage tank. My plan is to use the well pump to fill it, and to use another pump adjacent to the tank to pressurize the house system. I hope to top off the tank using off-peak electricity and to initiate a top-off only after the level drops by a few hundred gallons. In addition to the advantages of having a stored-water source, I'm hoping I get more life out of my well pump. So, here are my questions:
1. What type and capacity of pump should I use to pressurize the house system? There is plenty of room for it in the shed, where it will be protected from the elements.
2. Should I use a Pside-kick? (Having lurked on this forum for a few days, I think I know what you'll say...) If so, what capacity?
3. Should I retain the pressure tank? It sits about 10 feet from the center line of the water tank.
4. Should the water tank obviate the need to filter for sand and grit? I have had a small problem with clogging hose screens, etc.
5. What system pressure should I shoot for?
Annexed to the pump house, I have built an insulated shed to enclose a 2550-gallon water storage tank. My plan is to use the well pump to fill it, and to use another pump adjacent to the tank to pressurize the house system. I hope to top off the tank using off-peak electricity and to initiate a top-off only after the level drops by a few hundred gallons. In addition to the advantages of having a stored-water source, I'm hoping I get more life out of my well pump. So, here are my questions:
1. What type and capacity of pump should I use to pressurize the house system? There is plenty of room for it in the shed, where it will be protected from the elements.
2. Should I use a Pside-kick? (Having lurked on this forum for a few days, I think I know what you'll say...) If so, what capacity?
3. Should I retain the pressure tank? It sits about 10 feet from the center line of the water tank.
4. Should the water tank obviate the need to filter for sand and grit? I have had a small problem with clogging hose screens, etc.
5. What system pressure should I shoot for?