Water pumps come in different shapes and sizes, and while there is no ideal water pump for all occasions, there are certain things you have to consider when looking for a water pump. You need to evaluate a water pump on the basis of purpose, performance, durability, and price. With a better understanding of these factors, you will be better positioned to choose the right water pump and minimize operational costs, increase the performance of the systems and increase the durability of your water pump. Here is what to consider when choosing a water pump.
Performance
There are four factors for performance you need to consider when choosing a water pump. These include capacity, materials, power source and head.
Capacity & Power
Capacity refers to how much water the pump can move. Performance is always measured in gallons per minute. Along with capacity is power, which is measured in horsepower. If you intend to use your pump for domestic purposes, then water pump with small capacities is ideal, but large tasks like irrigating huge fields will need a water pump with higher capacities.
Materials
You also need to consider the materials used to make the water pump you intend to choose. Water pumps are manufactured using various sturdy materials including cast iron, sheet metal, exotic alloys, plastics, and various other materials. The kind of material used to make a water pump and the nature of work the pump will perform will usually affect the durability of a water pump.
Uses/Applications
If you are intending to use the water pump for moving salty water, you need to select a pump that is made of material that can withstand the corrosiveness of salty water. Similarly, if you intend to use the water pump to move water that contains some solids like mud and gravel, then you need to choose a pump that can withstand abrasion.
Power Source
You also need to consider the sources of power you are going to use. Water pumps can be powered by a variety of energy sources including electricity, natural gas, gasoline, diesel, hydraulics, and compressed air/manual power.
Head Pressure
Head pressure defines the power of a water pump. It’s important to consider the head pressure of a water pump with regard to the kind of applications you intend to use the water pump to perform. Head pressure is normally indicated in terms of vertical discharge head pressure. This describes the vertical lift or maximum height at which the water pump can no longer exert pressure to move the water.
