3 Tips to Pick the Perfect Effluent Pump

Most people don’t think about pumps very often, but effluent pumps are vital pieces of home equipment, much like a refrigerator! We need these machines to pump gray water (better known to pump novices as dirty water generated by laundry and other home wastewater systems) away from our homes and out to municipal sewage systems.

While that part may sound like an absolute no-brainer, many folks don’t know quite where to start when it comes to picking a new effluent pump. That’s where we come in! In this article, we’re going to give you three super useful tips to help you choose the right effluent pump for your needs.

We’ll also take a quick look specifically at the Barnes SP33VF. Barnes pumps are some of the most widely recognized, highest quality pumps in the industry. This will help you to benchmark your purchase against the best one in the business!

What Are Effluent Pumps?

Effluent pumps, like the Barnes pumps we’ll talk about in a bit, are made to handle graywater. These pumps move graywater from our home wastewater systems to larger municipal sewage or septic systems. “Effluent” is really just a fancy way of saying “sewage” or “waste”.

3 Tips for Choosing an Effluent Pump

Okay, now that we know a bit more about effluent pumps in general, let’s move on to how you go about selecting one to buy. There are so many different models out there, all with varying features and functionality. So, how do you know which is the best option for you?

Here are three ways to know you’re getting a good pump that will work for your needs:

1. Check Your Pump’s Purpose

First, consider your pump’s use. If your old pump was just being used to move gray water, like that from a washing machine or dishwasher, then you do need an effluent pump. But, if it was being used to pump black water (read: really dirty water with solid waste in it, like raw sewage), you’ll need to upgrade to a grinder or sewage pump.

2. Check the Size of Your Pump

Next, look at your old pump to determine what horsepower it had. If you were able to get quite an extended use out of it (years), then you know it was probably the right size for your needs. In that case, you can just buy a new pump of the same size. If your pump didn’t last long, it could have sized too big/small. You may need to recalculate or make sure you're meeting the required GPM and TDH of your application.

3. Choose a Quality Pump

Finally, you’ll want to be sure you choose a new pump that was built to last. One of the most telltale quality signs may be the material the pump’s housing is made from. You’ll likely find options with cast iron, thermoplastic, stainless steel, and brass housings, though cast iron and thermoplastics are most popular. Of those two options, cast iron is probably the way to go for a truly long-lasting, quality pump.

Now you know what all to look for, let’s take a quick look at one of the best submersible effluent pump models in the industry from Barnes pumps, the SP33VF.

Are Barnes Pumps Really the Best?

We’ll let you judge the best one, but founded all the way back in 1895, Barnes is one of the oldest pump companies still in existence today. Over their many successful decades in business, the brand has become synonymous with excellence and dependability. Their effluent pumps are built with quality in mind and are made to last.

One of their most popular effluent models is the Barnes SP33VF. This compact powerhouse of a pump has a cast iron motor housing and stainless-steel shaft and hardware. The SP33VF also offers automatic thermal overload protection and comes with a 24-month warranty.

This long-lasting pump is relatively low cost but provides a high-performance solution with a heavy-duty design. It was made to handle anything that flows its way. Barnes doesn’t mess around when it comes to quality!

PumpProducts.com: Your Online Barnes Pumps Dealer

Whenever you are ready to buy a new Barnes pump (or any pump for that matter), check out our full-service website. You can also call our pump specialists who are standing by to help you select the right model for your needs. We are pump experts, and on top of that, we’re one of the largest online dealers for Barnes pumps.

We carry the Barnes SP33VF model mentioned in this article as well as replacement parts and accessories. PumpProducts.com also happens to offer the guaranteed lowest prices!

Top 3 Factors to Consider When Choosing an Irrigation Pump

Most people don’t think about pumps very often. But if you want to grow anything during a dry summer—like green grass, tomatoes, or agricultural crops—pumps are vital pieces of equipment. We need these machines to pump water to our yards, gardens, and fields to keep them green and producing yields all summer long, even during the driest stretches.

And that’s where we come in! We’re pump experts and, in this article, we’re going to give you three super useful tips to help you choose the right irrigation pump for your needs. Whether that pump is for a small city lawn or a cornfield in Iowa, these factors will apply.

We’ll also take a quick glance at some of the most popular models of Sta-Rite irrigation pumps. Sta-Rite pumps are some of the most widely recognized, highest quality pumps for sale in the industry. This will help you to benchmark your purchase against some of the best.

What Is an Irrigation Pump?

Irrigation pumps, like the Sta-Rite pumps, we’ll talk about in a bit, are made to deliver water directly to your lawn, garden, or field when they need it most.

How to Choose the Best Irrigation Pump

Irrigation pumps are pretty straightforward. But buying one is not. Let’s move on to how you go about selecting one to buy. This is where most of us get a bit lost.

There are so many varieties of models out there, all with varying features and functionality. So, how do you know which is the best option for you?

Here are three strategic factors to consider when you’re shopping for an irrigation pump:

1. Establish a Budget

While the size of the system you need to purchase will also largely dictate the price of the pump you need to install, you’ll want to think about how much money you can spend on a pump upfront. This will assist you to stay on task when you’re shopping instead of getting pulled in by all the bells and whistles you might not need right now.

Be sure also to consider long-term cost factors, like maintenance requirements and service fees, plus the cost of replacement parts that wear with normal use.

2. Consider the Size of Pump You Need

Think about the size of the area you need to irrigate. If you have a large yard, garden, or field, your irrigation system will also need to be bigger. This means it will require a pump with enough power to push water through the entire system. While most lawn sprinkler systems don’t require a ton of horsepower from a pump, larger farm irrigation systems will need more oomph.

Buy a pump with plenty of horsepower for the job it needs to do, but don’t go overboard just for the sake of power. You’ll pay more in the long run in energy costs to run a more powerful pump. So, as long as the size of the pump makes sense and can deliver water to the size of your chosen irrigation system, you should be good to go.

3. Take in the Lay of the Land

Next, think about the specifics. Consider where your pump will be in comparison with your water source. Is it uphill from the water source? If so, you’ll need a bit more power to push the water up to where it’s needed.

Also, consider details like head loss and suction lift head requirements. These things will play into the hydraulic conditions of the pump you need and help determine which model will work best for you.

Now you know what to look for when shopping, let’s take a quick look at two Sta-Rite irrigation pumps that are some of the best in the industry.

Sta-Rite Pumps at a Glance

Sta-Rite was found in 1934 in Delavan, Wisconsin (USA). Throughout their decades in business, Sta-Rite has earned the respect of water transfer professionals time and again. Their irrigation pumps are built with quality in mind and are made to last.

One of Sta-Rite’s most highly regarded irrigation pump lines is the D Series. The most popular models from the D Series are DS2 and DS3, specifically the Sta-Rite DS3HE-01 High Head Self-Priming Centrifugal Pump Model. Both models have rugged, durable motors and are self-priming. Their parts that wear the most with typical use are easily accessible so that replacement and/or service is a breeze.

PumpProducts.com: Great Deals on Sta-Rite Pumps for Sale

When you are looking to find the best deals on Sta-Rite pumps for sale (or any pump for that matter), check out our full-service website. You can also call our specialists who are standing by to help you select the right model for your needs. We are one of the major online dealers for Sta-Rite pumps.

We carry both D Series Sta-Rite irrigation pump models mentioned in this article (the DS2 and DS3) as well as replacement parts and accessories. PumpProducts.com also happens to offer the guaranteed lowest prices!

Top 5 Things to Consider When Choosing an AC Condensate Pump

Most people don’t think about pumps very often, but they are vital pieces of equipment! We need pumps to move water through, raw sewage away from, and to prevent flooding or water damage in our homes. While all that sounds simple enough, many folks are quite lost when it comes to choosing a new pump to buy since there are so many options on the market.

In this article, we’re talking about what to look for when buying a new AC condensate pump. There are five distinct things to consider to make sure you get the right condensate pump for your needs.

We’ll also take a glance at some of the most popular models of Little Giant condensate pumps. Little Giant pumps are some of the most widely recognized, highest quality condensate pumps in the industry. This will further help you to make the right choice by benchmarking your purchase against some of the best in the business!

What Are AC Condensate Pumps?

When air is conditioned to make it cooler, like when you run your air conditioning system at home, humidity (moisture) is removed, and condensation occurs. This results in excess water, and it has to go somewhere!

An AC condensate pump (as the name suggests) is used in conjunction with your home’s air conditioning unit or furnace to pump away excess moisture generated from condensation.

Top 5 Things to Consider When Selecting an AC Condensate Pump

Now that we know a bit more about AC condensate pumps, let’s look at what to consider when buying a new condensate pump.

1. Check Your Air Conditioning Unit Type

There are so many varieties of pump models available, and different cooling unit types will all require something a bit different when it comes to the condensate pump it needs. AC units can be split, ducted, floor mounted, cassettes, etc. With so many options, it’s important to identify which type of AC system yours is before you can select a coordinating pump.

2. Determine the Amount of Condensate Your Unit Produces

The AC's cooling capacity determines the amount of condensate that your AC unit puts off. This is often represented in kWh, and you can typically find it in your AC unit’s specifications or owner’s manual. This number is needed to estimate how much condensate is generated per hour.

Typically, a larger capacity AC unit will discharge more condensate than smaller ones. Even so, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all pump solution that will work for every air conditioning unit. So, you’ll need to know your specific AC unit’s cooling capacity to choose the right pump.

3. Think About the Climate Where You Live

While cooling capacity is the main factor in condensate production, location, and climate also play significantly into the scenario. When you are in a humid climate, you can expect much more condensation than if you live in a dry area. If you live where it’s very humid, you might need a high-performance condensate pump.

4. Consider Your Setup

Take a look at and around your air conditioning unit to determine different options for where to place your pump before you even go shopping. It’s key to know that a condensate pump can be mounted in many ways, and the mounting situation will help determine what type of pump or fittings you might need. Look next to, below, inside, or even above your AC unit for possible pump locations.

 

5. Look into Maintenance Requirements

You won’t find a condensate pump or HVAC system that doesn’t require regular maintenance, so it’s a good idea to factor this in, in advance. Think about what it will take to clean, service, and maintain each pump option, as well as pipes, fittings, and any monitoring system that might come with it. For your future convenience, select a condensate pump that will be easy to detach and clean.

Other Considerations:

Choosing the right brand of a pump can also make a difference when it comes to quality, longevity, and maintenance. Sure, you can grab a basic condensate pump at your local hardware or big box store and it will be fine for a while. But choosing a quality brand upfront will save you time, effort, and money, as well as provide energy savings!

While, ultimately, the condensate pump you choose will need to be based on your specific needs, at least now you know what to look for. To help you further, let’s take a quick peek at some of the best condensate pump models in the industry from Little Giant pumps.

Little Giant Pumps

For well over 75 years, Little Giant has been a go-to brand in the pumping and water transfer industry. Trusted by professionals, they’re known for having a comprehensive line of reliable and hard-working pumps that are made to last.

Little Giant Condensate Pumps

One of Little Giant’s most popular condensate pumps is the Little Giant 554405 (& 554401) Model VCMA-15ULS Automatic Condensate Removal Pump. This pump is state of the art, designed to be easy to service, and totally reliable.

PumpProducts.com: Your Online Little Giant Pumps Dealer

When you need to buy a new Little Giant condensate pump for your AC unit or furnace (or other use), check out our full-service website. We specialize in pumps, and we’re among the largest online dealers for Little Giant pumps.

We carry all the models mentioned in this article, as well as replacement parts and accessories. PumpProducts.com also happens to offer the guaranteed lowest prices!