FAQ - Choosing the right Pump

To get started on choosing the right pump for your application, you need to know the following:

How much water flow do I need?
How much pressure do I need?
Pump type and construction (e.g. cast iron or stainless steel)
Controller type

How do I work out my water usage?

Using the figures below to work out how much water you need. Just add up all the requirements that are likely to operate at any one time.

E.g. 1 shower, dishwasher, washing machine and toilet all on at one time = 44 litres per minute demand

Toilet: 9 Litres per minute
Standard Shower Head: 10-15 Litres per minute
Water saving shower head: 7 Litres Per minute
Household Standard tap: 10 Litres per minute
Dishwasher: 15 Litres per minute
Washing Machine: 10 – 15 Litres per minute
Garden Hose: 20 Litres per minute
Lawn Sprinkler: 10 -15 litres per minute
Alternatively, you can use the below guide for typical domestic water usage:

Small Cottage requires: 10 – 20 Litres per minute
Small House requires: 20 – 30 Litres per minute
Medium House requires: 30 – 50 litre per minute
Large House requires: 50 – 90 litres per minute
This is always dependent on how many people live in the house. For example, if you have 3 showers and only 2 people living in the house, water flow demands will be less than if you have 4 people living in the same house using taps all at one time.

What pressure will I need?

Normal domestic water pressure is between 40-70 psi
To work out how much pressure you may need, answer the following questions:

What is the height difference between the pump and the highest point of use?
Is there any pressure already available? Positive suction?
How far does the pump have to pump water?
What size, type and length of pipe is being used from the pump to the final destination (pipe friction loss)?
What is the required pressure at the tap/shower, sprinkler? If known
What is the water source?
What power supply is available?
Please contact us so we can help you to work out the answers to these questions.

Why choose a Jet Pump?

A Jet pump is the way to go if you have to draw the water up out of a tank, well, and/or other water sources. Jet pumps are also self-priming. The more depth the pump has to draw the less the flow at the destination. Jet pumps are centrifugal pumps that have a jet and venturi fitted to improve the performance of the pump. Jet Pumps are capable of pumping from depths up to 7-9m. Jet pumps tend to be a bit noisier than a multistage pump but are a necessity when lift is required.

Why choose a Multistage Pump?

These pumps are the best choice when you have a positive head of pressure available to the pump. These pumps are also more than often not self-priming. So, if your water tank is above ground with a discharge pipe at the bottom of your tank and your pump is at the base of the tank then this is positive head pressure and great for a multistage. If your pump is close to a living area then this is the best option as they are very quiet. Multistage pumps utilize several impellers and diffuser assemblies (stages) to increase the pressure from the pump & using less energy to do so.

Press Control – How Does it work?

The automatic controller system turns on by detecting pressure (usually at 1.5 bar or 2.2 bar) and switches the pump off by detecting flow. This usually occurs at about 0.6 lpm. It needs no pressure tank as in the traditional systems. There are no plenum chambers to recharge and no irritating variation in pressure and in flow at the point of use. No adjustment or maintenance is required. It is absolutely dependable.

Functioning: The unit is programmed to perform all the pump control operations automatically. When particular operational breakdowns occur, such as water failure, obstruction of the suction pipe, etc, the unit recognizes the breakdown and a red LED Failure lights up, at the same time a stop signal is sent to the pump to prevent damage caused by it working in the absence of water. After rectifying the cause of the failure, the system to be restarted by pressing the Reset button.

Pressure Switch – How does it work?

A Pressure switch as its name suggests is a switching device by pressure. It has a lower cut in setting and an upper cut out setting. In a variable setting the differential between cut in and cut out can be altered. This does not offer run dry protection like the automatic controller does. The pressure switch is activated by the pressure fluctuations and turns on and off via pressure. A pressure tank “cell” needs to be installed to stop the pump cycling.

Why a Pressure Tank? (Cell)

A pressure tank is best fitted with a pressure switch which allows for the adjustment of the cut in and cut out pressure of your pump.
A pressure tank reduces the amount of stops and starts extending the life of the pump by reducing wear on moving parts.
Reduces electric power consumption by reducing small draw off pump starts such as toilet flushes, leaks, drip irrigation and troughs.
Reduces noise by reducing pump starts.
Can I use a Pressure Tank with a Press Control?

The addition of a pressure tank “cell” is of benefit, it will act to prevent cycling from leaks of very low flow, such as evaporative air conditioning systems or small leaks within your home that are not easily found. The other added benefits are listed above.

What is Grey Water?

Grey water is household waste water from kitchen sinks, laundry tubs, dishwashers, washing machines, showers, baths and basins.

What is Blackwater?

Black water is waste water containing fecal matter and urine. It is also known as brown water and sewage & effluent.

What is Treated Clean Effluent?

Treated effluent is typically very clean and can be used in irrigation systems such as drip lines.

What is Water Pressure?

Water pressure is a measure of the force that pushes water through the mains and into your pipes. It is measured in ‘bars’ – one bar is the force needed to raise water to a height of 10 metres.
Water flow rate depends on the size of your pipe. If several taps or appliances are connected to the same pipe, there will be a lower flow rate and there may not be enough water coming through the pipe for all of them.
Older houses typically have ½ inch (12.5mm) diameter water supply pipes which can cause problems especially in houses converted into flats. Modern houses and flats usually have bigger pipes – 1 inch (25mm) diameter, enabling higher flow rate and allowing several appliances to be used at once

How do I boost my Shower/Hot Water Pressure?

You’re fed up with standing under the dribble from your shower especially on cold winter mornings?
The hot water booster pump has been developed for domestic use in homes where inconsistent or low hot water pressures cause problems, especially in bathrooms and laundries.
These extremely quiet pumps have particular application in homes equipped with a gravity fed hot water system, or simply in situations where low water pressure is experienced.
The hot water booster pump can be easily installed to new pipework or existing pipework. The pump increases the water pressure so that the flow rate is comfortably high in showers, taps and any other domestic water outlets. A built-in flow switch starts and stops the pump when the tap is turned on and off.
When used to boost hot water, the pump will assist in minimising the often annoying change of shower water temperature when someone else at home uses another hot water outlet. Furthermore, there is much less waiting time for hot water to appear in the shower or other water outlet when the hot tap is turned on.