Is a submersible well pump an upgrade?

[pondball]

We’ve been on a jet pump for over 30 years (2nd one in place now).
Pressure tank appears to have a broken bladder.
Jet pump runs as soon as a toilet is flushed every morning and generally throughout the day when water is run for any length from any tank.
Had plumber out for review and he offered this solution.
- replace jet pump with submersible well pump - easy install as our current jet pump has two pvc lines to the well and one could be used for water and the other for electrical;
- replace pressure tank with slightly larger 34 gal tank (both are Well/X/Trol)
Fully installed - $4300 (Cdn$)
The suggestion for changing everything was to replace broken pressure tank, replace aging jet pump, both of which should provide better in house after pressure.
Our well is a dug 43’ well - he said we had a good supply as it now stood at 37’ of available water. ( but we’ve run out twice only in 30 years)
We don’t drink water directly from our well but will post another thread with that question.
However, do the pros of completely changing the pump and pressure tank outweigh the cost here?

 

[Valveman]

A submersible pump doesn't need priming and will deliver more pressure than a jet pump. But the bladder in the tank is bad from the pump cycling on and off too much. Cycling is even worse on a submersible than a jet pump. The 34 gallon size tank only holds 8 gallons of water. This will cause your pump to cycle on and off for every 8 gallons used.

A two pipe jet pump will produce plenty of pressure, but I much prefer a submersible. Either pump will work with a Cycle Stop Valve and a much smaller tank. With the CSV you only need a 4.5 gallon size tank as the CSV stops the cycling and a large tank is not needed. The PK1A kit would work for either type pump and would deliver much stronger and constant pressure to the house than just a pressure tank.

Also, when installing a submersible in a large diameter well a flow inducer is important to keep the motor cool. Here is a pic of a flow inducer. 10 bucks maybe.

 

[pondball]

A submersible pump doesn't need priming and will deliver more pressure than a jet pump. But the bladder in the tank is bad from the pump cycling on and off too much. Cycling is even worse on a submersible than a jet pump. The 34 gallon size tank only holds 8 gallons of water. This will cause your pump to cycle on and off for every 8 gallons used.

A two pipe jet pump will produce plenty of pressure, but I much prefer a submersible. Either pump will work with a Cycle Stop Valve and a much smaller tank. With the CSV you only need a 4.5 gallon size tank as the CSV stops the cycling and a large tank is not needed. The PK1A kit would work for either type pump and would deliver much stronger and constant pressure to the house than just a pressure tank.

Also, when installing a submersible in a large diameter well a flow inducer is important to keep the motor cool. Here is a pic of a flow inducer. 10 bucks maybe.
View attachment 38539

Thanks Valveman. A very interesting video! In this example a 2 hp pump is used with the CSV, and if I’m reading this correctly the little white holding tank replaces the 34 gal tank?
Our quote was for a 1/2 hp submersible pump and 34 gal tank, both of which came to $1700 $Cdn. The rest of the estimate included fittings and labour and a ministry of labour facility service fee.
There are now only two of us living in our house and only occasionally do we have the entire family home for visits all at once. This is the first I’ve come across the CSV configuration but it looks intriguing. with only two of us here can I assume the pump would not necessarily be running as regulatory as the little video suggests?
as the pup would be submersible is there any noise, other than water flow, that would be heard from within the house? ie Does the CSV make any noise?
By large diameter well does that mean, or include the 30” diameter dug well we have?

 

[Valveman]

Submersibles are silent. The CSV doesn't make any noise. The pump will only run when water is being used. Yeah, in a 30" diameter well it is best for the pump to have a 4" flow inducer.