8/16/2017 Conserve water with pressure regulation

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CONSERVE WATER WITH PRESSURE REGULATION

Installing a constant pressure system can alleviate water pressure inconsistency.

CHRIS PRESTON JULY 13, 2016 SHARE ON:

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SteveStone/iStock

Americans are becoming smarter water consumers, according to a 2016 study by the Water Research Foundation
(WRF). The study revealed a 22 percent drop in average annual indoor household water use since WRFs 1999
study. In addition to the use of water-e cient appliances and xtures that are responsible for most of the
reduction, homeowners can reduce water use by regulating water pressure.

When the pressure is too high, water is often wasted. When it is too low, it can take twice as long to complete a
task, which also wastes water.

Homes with private wells, common in rural areas, can experience inadequate or low water pressure because of
decreasing well levels, increased water use or a newly installed lawn irrigation system. Shallow wells or those dug
near older homes are often inadequate for modern applications because their foundations can become unstable.
With a well, the system, ideally, will automatically shut o the pump if it detects no water, loses prime, or is in over-
current or voltage situations to help avoid costly repair.

For cases like these, homeowners need water pressure that will not let up. Residential water providers deliver
solutions that monitor household water demand and calibrate to match system requirements, maintain water
pressure and system e ciency, and reduce costs.

Regulate ow

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8/16/2017 Conserve water with pressure regulation

Water uctuations often occur when homeowners

conduct multiple water-related activities at once, such as
showering and watering the garden, or doing laundry and
running the dishwasher.

Installing a constant pressure system can alleviate water

pressure inconsistency, providing homeowners with
continuous, high-pressure water for all household needs
at any time. The system operates with a variable
frequency drive (VFD) pump controller that automatically
monitors household water demand. Like the cruise control
on a car, the VFD speeds up or slows down the pump
depending on household water requirements.

The system draws water from a well to control pressure.

Most residential well systems are designed to run at a
pressure of 40 to 60 psi. As the water in the well is
depleted, the pressure starts to fall, and homeowners can
experience water pressure uctuations. A constant water

pressure system boosts water pressure to the desired
level and maintains that pressure even while multiple
water sources are in use.

A constant pressure system features several other

bene ts for installers and homeowners, including:

A soft start/stop feature that reduces or eliminates

noisy pipes
Total system protection, to avoid costly repairs by
automatically shutting o the pump
Ability to have a more compact layout using the Image courtesy of Goulds Water Technology
existing pressure tank or a smaller tank
Easy system expansion
Energy and operational cost savings

When a VFD is installed properly, it allows appliances to work more e ciently, extending their life, reducing energy
consumption, and decreasing mechanical and electrical system stress.

Maintain pressure
When a homeowner opens a spigot, he or she expects water to ow at a certain speed. Water pressure in the line
causes that water to ow. If the home is on a well, it needs something to build that pressure, which is when a
pressure tank comes into play.

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8/16/2017 Conserve water with pressure regulation

Here is how pressure tanks work: The pressure tank in a water well
system creates water pressure by using compressed air to bear down on
the water. Because of this pressure, when a valve is opened, water is
pushed out of the tank through the pipes in the home. When the water in
the pressure tank drops below the required amount, a pressure switch is
activated, turning on the pump. The pump then re lls the pressure tank.
The combination of the pressure tank, pressure switch and pump enables
water to ow through a home.

Pressure tanks also serve as reservoirs for the home and are generally set
to keep pressure within 20 psi of an average single-family homes water
capabilities starting and stopping parameters. For example, most homes
have water pressure of 40 to 60 psi. If the pressure drops below 40 psi,
the pump kicks on and brings the pressure back to 60 psi before cutting
o again.
Image courtesy of Goulds Water
Technology
Because the tank acts as a reservoir, water can be drawn from the tank
without the pump cycling on and o each time the water is turned on.
This ultimately protects and prolongs the life span of the pump. Water
pressure tanks also reduce instances of water hammer by decreasing the
amount of air in the pipes and controlling the water pressure.

When choosing a pressure tank, professional installers will need to know the gallons per minute the pump pushes
water through the pipes. If gallons per hour are required, multiply that number by 60. Additionally, they will count
the number of plumbing xtures, including the outside spigots the system needs to service.

Most manufacturers provide a chart to help size a pressure tank. Often, professional installers will lean toward
selecting larger pressure tanks to extend the life of the product and avoid replacement.

Rely on the pros

Because of the multitude of complex electronics in constant pressure systems and water pressure tanks, this is not
a do-it-yourself job. It is best to hire a professional installer.

Professional contractors and plumbers should be licensed, certi ed and educated on installation and the latest
water system technologies. Many belong to professional associations that focus on providing continuing education
to stay current on the most e cient technologies, products and industry trends.

People often consult friends and neighbors when searching for a trusted certi edinstaller. Additionally, local
industry professionals such as roofers, electricians or HVAC repair technicians can be valuable resources for
referrals. Constant pressure system manufacturers also may be able to point to a reputable certi edinstaller.
Some manufacturers provide a searchable database of independent installers by location.

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8/16/2017 Conserve water with pressure regulation

By coordinating with a professional to install new systems or to retro t older ones with constant pressure systems
or water pressure tanks, homeowners can ensure they receive and conserve precious water resources wisely
within their households.

Chris Preston is a global residential water product manager with expertise in submersible and jet pumps and in
residential pumping systems. For more than 10 years, he has worked for Xylem Inc. and its Goulds Water Technology
brand as a product design engineer and project manager on multiple global new product development projects. Preston
holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Clarkson University. For more information on Goulds
Water Technology, visit goulds.com.

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