From: "3D Peruna" 
Newsgroups: alt.building.construction alt.home.repair misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: well woes
Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2005 10:56:24 -0600

 

"Bob Morrison"  wrote in message 
news:MPG.1de3afe1a77ab5f2989a19@news.west.earthlink.net...
> In a previous post lelson@bigfoot.com wrote...
>> 3) What is a minimum reasonable flow rate? We'd hoped to use a new
>> variable speed pump that can handle up to 30 gal/minute.
>>
>> Serious advice is welcome.
>>
>
> 7 gallons per minute is a pretty good flow rate.  If you are concerned
> about loss of water then use a larger than normal pressure tank.  It would
> be very unlikely that you are going to use more than 7 gpm for any
> extended period of time, unless you plan to do a lot of irrigation.
>
> Remember, most toilets are only 1.5 gallons/flush. Showers and other
> constant flow devices typically use 3 gpm.
>
> I have a 5 gpm well that works just fine.  My pressure tank may be a tad
> small if we are doing a lot of laundry plus a lot of showers, but if we
> spread the load out a bit, there is no problem.

Bob's recommendations are good... we have 7 gpm, but only use it for our 
heat pump.  The one thing that we did was go with a larger than normal 
pressure tank (sized one up from what was calculated -- it as actually $30 
cheaper for some odd reason).  The larger size prevents short cycling.  You 
should be fine.