A rainwater tank pump allows households to use stored water throughout the home. The pump enables users to connect the tank to the plumbing system and access the water for both indoor and outdoor usage. When buying a water tank pump, look for features that will maximise efficiency and boost performance. With this in mind, here are the main efficiency features to consider when investing in a new pump.

Submersible pump

There are two main types of water tank pumps: external and submersible pumps. External pumps are installed outside the tank, while submersible pumps are installed inside the water tank. Below are reasons why submersible pumps are more efficient and convenient to use than external ones.

• Low energy consumption: Submersible pumps don't use energy to suck water in because they operate inside the tank. Thus, they consume less energy than external pumps.
• Quiet operation: Since they operate underwater, submersible pumps produce very little noise, which makes them ideal for users who require a quiet pump.
• Self-priming capabilities: Submersible pumps are installed inside the tank and surrounded by water. Atmospheric pressure facilitates the water suction process, which means the pump doesn't require manual priming.

Submersible pumps require no installation space outside the tank. Thus, you don't have to worry about finding the perfect position to locate the pump.

High flow rate

Before buying a water tank pump, check the flow rate against your usage needs. If you want to access the water at multiple points, such as the bathrooms, kitchen, and garden, you require a pump with a high flow rate. For whole-house usage, the distance between the water tank and the house and the number of bends and elbows in your plumbing pipes can affect the flow rate at the access points.

The farther the tank is from the house, the more the flow rate will decrease. Also, if your plumbing pipes have many bends and elbows, they will affect water velocity and flow rate. Therefore, keep this in mind when buying the water pump. 

Automatic operation

Unlike traditional water tank pumps, modern pumps don't have to run 24 hours a day. If the pump runs continuously, even when there is no demand for water, it will consume a lot of energy. Modern pumps have an automatic on and off feature for energy savings. The pump automatically turns on when you open a faucet and turns off when you shut off the water. 

Some automatic pumps also come with variable-speed pumps that can adjust the water pressure to meet the demand. Thus, when only one faucet is on, the pump runs at low speeds, leading to significant energy savings.

Consider these efficiency features when buying a pump for your rainwater tank. For installation services, consult a plumber.