Are you interested in buying the best water pressure booster pump?
Having low water pressure is one of the top complains I hear from buyers during my home inspetions.
In this guide, I will be going over...
- My #1 top choice for best pressure booster pump
- A brief overview on how to install a booster pump
- The main benefits of having a water pressure booster pump
Let's get started with this guide!
My Overall #1 Rated Pick
My overall #1 top pick for the best water pressure booster pump is made by Kolerflo. This high quality water booster pump will increase your household water pressure by up to 20-psi. It includes all brass unions, a switch, and it just plugs into a regular outlet. The Kolerflo pump is simple to install and just requires a wrench.
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Top Pick
|
Top Pick |
Kolerflo
|
|
View on Amazon |
|
Simer
|
|
View on Amazon | ||
|
Grundfos
|
|
View on Amazon | ||
|
Davey
|
|
View on Amazon | ||
|
Burcam
|
|
View on Amazon |
Top 5 Best Water Pressure Booster Pumps
Here is my list of the best water pressure booster pumps. These pumps will increase your home's water pressure by a significant amount. If you want to read my full reviews, keep scrolling.
What Is A Water Pressure Booster Pump?
A water pressure booster pump is a type of water used to boost the water pressure in residential homes. The typical water pressure increase is in the range of 15-psi and all the way up to 50-psi depending on the size of the pump.
Most booster pumps turn on automatically when pressure is needed. Some pumps have variable speeds so it will adjust to maintain a set water pressure.
If your homes water pressure is below 40 psi, then a water pressure booster pump is probably a good solution.
What Causes Low Water Pressure?
Booster pumps commonly used to boost the city or municipal water supply because the home is situated at a higher elevation from than the municipal water supply such as on a hill.
Likewise, if your water source is located in the basement, and you have a large home, there may just be a significant distance to all of the fixtures in your home.
Sometimes a failing pressure reducing valve, usually made of bronze near your main water shutoff is failing and can cause very high or very low water pressure.
If you have galvanized steel water piping, it can corrode from the inside and lower the diameter of the piping which will lower the water pressure.
Read Also: The Best Whole House Water Filters
How Much Does A Booster Pump Cost?
As with most home components, the largest cost is usually the labor.
But water pressure booster pumps cost usually on the low side of $200 to $300 and on the high side $700 to $900.
The labor cost will depend on how much new piping the plumber will have to install such as if you want a bypass loop. A bypass loop is additional piping that will keep water flowing through the home even if you have to remove the booster pump for maintenance or replacement.
The labor cost will also depend on the amount of new valves required such as pressure valves, check valves, and shutoffs. I would say the average labor cost to install a booster pump will be $500 on the low side and can be as high as $1,000 to $1,500.
What Are The Benefits Of A Water Pressure Booster Pump?
The main advantage of a water pressure booster pump is to add around 25-50 psi to your existing water pressure.
As a home inspector, I frequently run sinks and showers that have very low water pressure --- an unappealing sight to new home buyers.
Low water pressure is likely the number one complaint of new home buyers in my experience.
How Is A Water Pressure Booster Pump Installed?
In this section, I will briefly go over how a water pressure booster pump is installed. If you plan on doing the installation yourself, reading the manufacturer instruction manual is highly recommended.
Some water pumps require pressure relief valves and others do not. Some booster pumps have easy connect threaded connectors, others do not. If your home doesn't have a pressure regulator, one may need to be installed prior to the pump.
Water pressure booster pumps can become a bit complex to install, and it isn't always a DIY job. That's why I created my own contractor search tool that will provide you free quotes from trusted contractors who have been pre-vetted.
- Determine the best location to install the pump. The best place is as close to the main source (from the wall/floor) but immediately after the main water shutoff and pressure regulator.
- Shutoff the main water and drain the pipes.
- Some optional accessories to consider installing prior to the water pump include a water pressure gauge, pressure regulator, and a bypass loop.
- Measure the pump location from piping, and cut the pipe.
- Install the pump and plug it in.
Read Also: The Best Point-Of-Use Tankless Water Heaters
How Do I Adjust The Water Pressure?
There are two primary ways to adjust the water pressure. First off, the booster pump may have a built in pressure regulator, so you can simply adjust it at the pump. It will likely be a screw or valve that requires a small turn to adjust the pressure.
The second place to adjust the water pressure is at the home's pressure reducing valve, it is usually made out of bronze. There is a nut on the valve, and you turn it counterclockwise to reduce the water pressure. Start slowly, and do 1/4" turns at a time and check the pressure.
How To Buy The Best Water Pressure Booster Pump?
Buying the best water pressure boosterpump takes into account numerous factors for your specific home. Here are just a few things to look for when buying a booster pump...
Pressure Boost
This is probably the number one thing to consider. Will it boost your water pressure enough for you to be happy. The average PSI (pounds per square inch) that a booster pump provides is in the range of 20-50 psi above your existing water pressure. If your water pressure is in the very low range of 15-25 psi, you may want to get a booster pump that provides at least 40 psi to your existing water pressure.
Dedicated Circuit
Some booster pumps require dedicated circuits which means advanced electrical work at the panel box. Many booster pumps can simply be plugged into a 120 volt outlet however and will tell you the length of the power cord.
Extra Accessories
Some booster pumps have built in pressure relief valves, check valves, and come with shutoff valves and other accessories. Always verify what the booster pump comes with and what you may need to buy extra.
Pressure Regulator
There are certain water pressure booster pumps that require having a separate pressure regulator so you can adjust the water pressure. Most homes already have water pressure reducing valves, but always verify if you need to install one. In California, the code requires a pressure reducing or regulating valve.
Materials
The best water pressure booster pumps are made from quality materials like stainless steel which is highly resistant to rust and corrosion.
Read Also: What Is Defective Polybutylene Piping? (Guide)
The Best Water Pressure Booster Pumps
Here are my top picks for the best water pressure booster pumps. Check it out below with all of their pros and cons...
The Kolerflo 120-watt pump is a budget-friendly way to increase your home's water pressure.
This pump is easy to install for the DIY homeowner, only a wrench is needed, saving the cost of a plumber.
The Kolerflo will boost your home's water pressure by about 20psi ABOVE the current water pressure.
It comes with a high quality flow switch, all brass unions, NPT threads (for union and switch), and power cord for outlet.
- Boost home water pressure by 20psi
- Easy installation with threaded union & switch
- All brass unions
- Somewhat noisy
- May not boost pressure enough for some homes
The Simer 3/4 HP Booster Pump is an effective way to increase your whole home water pressure.
The pump runs automatically when the water pressure drops, and it on average will boost your water pressure about 35-40 psi.
It comes with a 6-ft power cord so you can just plug it into a normal 120-volt outlet. The pump is made out of stainless steel so it is rust and corrosion resistant.
- Adds up to 40 psi to your existing water pressure
- 6-foot power cord
- Stainless steel housing
- Customer complaints of leaking
The Grundfos 3/4 HP water booster pump is a quality motor to boost your home's water pressure.
This self-priming pump has built in safety features such as dry run protection so it won't get damaged.
It is also quiet so it won't wake you up when running in the night.
The built in diaphragm pressure tank will help reduce the number of starts. The pump also has a built in check valve, flow sensor, and controller.
- Very quiet water pressure pump
- Includes built in diaphragm pressure tank
- Includes built in check valve, flow sensor, and controller
- Customer complaints of leaking
- Poor customer service
The Davey water pressure booster pump is a high quality water pump that can give you an additional 50 psi increase in your water pressure.
The pump is made out of durable stainless steel for its casing and impellers.
It comes with the intelligent Torrium 2 controller that monitors incoming water pressure, provides adaptive starting, and has dry run protection.
- Adds a significant 50 psi to your water pressure
- Stainless steel construction
- Very intelligent Torrium 2 controller
- Expensive
The Burcam dual application pump can be used as a well jet pump or a water pressure booster pump.
It is 3/4-HP and the pump is made out of stainless steel for corrosion resistance.
Since it is a jet pump, it doesn't need a pressure tank (or pressure switch) which means less things to break down.
It has electronic controls to prevent dry running and damage.
- Adds around 50-psi to your home water pressure
- Stainless steel construction for corrosion resistance
- It is a jet pump so it doesn't need a tank or pressure switch
- Noisy
- Requires a pressure regulator if home doesn't have one already