There isn’t really a set amount of time that a submersible well pump should last. The main reason for this is that everyone’s well environment and usage are different. Different people will stress a well pump more or less by the nature of what they are doing with the water pump. Different submersible pumps from different companies will also have different build qualities.
For the most part, a quality-made well pump will usually last you anywhere from 10-20 years. We will sometimes talk to customers who are replacing a water pump that has lasted 20-30 years.
Aside from regular maintenance, there are a few things you can do that can help increase how long submersible pumps last.
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The first thing you want to try to do is reduce the number of times that your well pump cycles (cycling meaning turning on then off again). This will happen when your well pump pressure switch calls for water for example.
One thing that can happen, and this depends on the exact setup and well pump type, is that the pump can cycle multiple times during one instance of water usage or when there is a sudden drop in water pressure.
Depending on the size of the pressure tank, sometimes a well pump can cycle multiple times during one shower, and that cycling multiple times will take some lifespan off the well pump.
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One way to prevent the well pump from cycling as often is by using a larger pressure tank. The reason the pump can cycle more than once during one shower is that if you have a pressure tank that is small enough, it will call for water during the shower, and the pump will fill that tank while the shower is still running.
The pump turns off, the shower is still running, and soon after, the tank will call for water again, cycling the pump another time.
An easy way to reduce pump cycling is to use a larger pressure tank if you have the space for it. The larger the tank, the longer it will take to fill it all the way up, and it can prevent pump cycling that would happen on a smaller tank.
Another thing that can determine how long your submersible well pump will last is the environment it is working in. Some wells have very mineralized, heavy water, or the well water has sand and other particulates in it that can cause some wear on the pump.
Water quality issues, such as heavy minerals, can leave deposits on the pump over time, and depending on how mineralized the water is, this can reduce the pump’s lifespan. Water with sand or other particulates can also eat into internal motor bearings, causing additional strain.
These kinds of environments can’t always be avoided, but it is worth keeping in mind that if you have a lot of heavy minerals in the well water, you may not get the same lifespan out of a well pump that someone with crystal clear water would get. You may need more frequent replacement.
A good-quality submersible water pump should last an average of 15 years, but that number can vary depending on how often the well pump is cycled and the environmental conditions in the water well. Factors such as flow rate demands and well depth, particularly in deep wells, can also influence how hard your water system needs to work, affecting its lifespan.
If the duty cycle is excessive due to a small pressure tank or if the well pump is working against poor water quality, it may need to be replaced sooner, even if you are using it only for residential use. On the other hand, many homeowners experience 20-30 years of use with proper maintenance in clean water systems.
If your submersible pump is starting to show signs of failure or you’re unsure whether you need a new pump, feel free to reach out to one of our well pump specialists at 855-374-4406.
