Choosing a new shallow pump for your house is a mammoth task. There’s a lot of factors to consider. The slightest mistake can cause a lot of trouble for you in the long run.
Of all the types of shallow pumps available, ⅓ hp and ¾ hp are the most common. They’re generally used in households.
Which is better: ⅓ hp vs ¾ hp shallow well pump?
The simplest answer to this is, whichever is the best for you! There are a lot of factors you need to take into account to make the final decision. These include cost, maximum pressure, maintenance, etc.
This isn’t enough to decide which one to choose. Read along if you wish to know everything about these two shallow well pumps.
½ hp vs ¾ hp Shallow Well Pump: Fundamental Differences
We understand the battle your mind is playing. Both these pumps are quite good. But we’ve provided a head to head quick comparison. These will help you choose the right well pump for you!
Also make sure you know all the things to consider before buying your desired pump. This will enable you to decide better:
| Specification | ½ Hp well pump | ¾ well pump |
| Pressure | 55 | 85 |
| Flow rate | 10-13 Gpm | 13 Gpm |
| Average cost | $175-800 | $200-1200 |
| Vertical lift | 7-10 feet | 20-30 feet |
| Horizontal pipe length | 3-25 feet | 150-250 feet |
With the basics discussed, let’s discuss the ins and outs of your pumps. And see which is the best for you!
Let’s see some shallow well pumps:
| RainBro 1/2 HP Cast Iron | Check Current Price |
| RainBro 3/4 HP Cast Iron | Check Current Price |
½ hp vs ¾ hp Shallow Well Pump: Detailed Comparison
There are a lot of factors that need to be taken into account to determine which one is the best for you. These include:
Pressure
How much pressure your pump builds is critical in determining how quickly it will fill up. If you don’t have the right pump, your pump will take too long to build pressure. You have to be careful in that regard.
A ½ hp pump can generate 55psi based on its GPM. Which is ideal for most houses, and small families. But if you have a large house with many water sources, the pressure can be inadequate.
A ¾ pump can raise up to 85psi based on its GPM in this case. It’s sufficient for large households. If your pump is too powerful compared to your house, it can cause more harm than good.
Water Capacity
The amount of water your pump can raise can be described by its GPM (Gallons Per Minute) value. The amount of water it can raise per minute is an important factor.
If you don’t have the right GPM for your house, your water supply will slow down. Again, having a GPM too high can harm the rest of your system.
Generally, ½ hp pumps have 10 GPM, ideal for average houses. While ¾ hp pumps can go as high as 13 GPM. If you need a large supply of water, going with a ¾ hp pump is the way to go.
Also, get the right capacitor for the pump you choose. Because otherwise, the capacitor will keep on blowing.
Cost
The first thing that needs to be taken into account is the cost. You should initially prioritize factors such as compatibility. Having an idea about the cost can help you make your decisions better.
A ½ hp pump will set you back for $175-800 based on the manufacturer, features, etc. While a ¾ hp pump starts from $200 and can go as high as $1200. You need to have an idea about additional requirements such as main water valve cost as well.
Vertical Lift
Vertical lift refers to how high your pump can raise water. Your pump should be able to raise water from the ground level directly to your house.
For a ½ hp pump, it can raise water up to 10 feet easily. It’s ideal for single-storied house or shallow groundwater supplies
For multi-storied houses or deep water supplies, go for a ¾ hp well pump. It has a vertical lift of up to 25 feet. It’ll get your task done effortlessly.
Horizontal Level
Although not the most important factor to take into account, you should take the horizontal factor into account.. How far the water can go from the pump is the horizontal level of the pump.
It’s an important factor if your pump is far away from your house. For a ½ hp pump, you get a horizontal level of 3 to 25 feet. For a ¾ hp pump, it’s as high as 150 to 250 feet.
Final Verdict
In all honesty, there is no concrete answer to which one is better. So, between ½ hp and ¾ hp well pump, you have to make the choice.
For average-sized houses with a high water level underground, the ½ pump is the way to go. For large houses or multiple families relying on one pump, or a shallow water level. The ¾ pump is the way to go!
You may also wonder about choosing a circuit breaker size for your well pump. Well, it actually depends on the amperage of your pump.
Here are some more shallow well pumps:
| Red Lion RJS-50-PREM 1/2 HP | Check Latest Price |
| Acquaer 3/4HP Shallow Well | Check Latest Price |
FAQs
Question: Can I replace my ½ hp pump with a ¾ hp well pump?
Answer: If your pump is working well, we wouldn’t recommend replacing it with something different. While a 3/4 hp pump is certainly more powerful, it might not cater to your needs properly.
Question: Can a pool pump be too big?
Answer: Your pool pump can be too big, and that’s a problem. In that case, you might get poor filter performance or damage to your filter. This is harmful for your pump as well as the entire system.
Question: How to maintain a shallow well pump?
Answer: Maintaining a shallow well pump shouldn’t be that big of a hassle. Make sure there’s no residue stuck in it. Call your plumber once a year for thorough maintenance as well.
Final Word
Choosing a well pump for your house requires a bit of research. Without research, the ½ hp vs ¾ hp shallow well pump debate can be a bit overwhelming.
To make your life easier, we’ve discussed everything you need to know. We hope you find this article helpful.