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pumprick · Mar 7, 2008, 02:07 PM

We've been using the same well pump for 10 years. It has its own electric meter because it is about 1500 feet from our house.

About a month ago, our electrical usage on this meter tripled and remains tripled. We have not changed our water usage levels. If anything, we're using less than the 10 year average due to the drought in NC. I don't see any visible leaks on along the path of the buried PVC to our house.

Our well is 400 feet deep. What could cause this change in electrical usage? The new rate of usage is about 3kwh per day. Not a big deal, but the electric co-op has a very high rate on this meter ($.30/kwh). Also, is this the start of a problem that might get worse? I'd hate to get an electric bill for 30kwh per day.

Could it have anything to do with the drought dropping the water table?

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Eric D · Mar 7, 2008, 05:09 PM

PumpRick,

With all water in your home turned off check the pressure gauge at your water pressure tank to make sure it holds pressure with the pump off. It is common for the check valve to allow water to leak back into the well leaving no signs except for higher electric usage. Also check the well run times. How long does it take to fill your pressure tank. This number can help identifiy if water is leaking elsewhere.

One other thing you might want to do is purchase or borrow a clamp type current probe meter. Measure the current draw of the pump to see if the electric companies meter has flaked out.

Can you give more details on the brand and model of pump? If it is a CSCR or even a CSIR, the pump might be stuck in the start mode full time instead of switching to run mode.

Hope you find the problem.

Eric D

Flying Blue Eagle · Mar 7, 2008, 08:35 PM

Pumprick- I think the same way Eric D is think but it shore does sound more like a leak somewhere. You need to check under the house real good for any leaks. And also one place most people don't even think about checking for a leak ,but this item can loose away up to 10 gal a day , take and lift the lid off the top of toilet back, take some red food coloring and put in tank enough to color the water red,now don't let anyone use the toilet for at least 20 minuts , if the water in the base bowl has a red color YOU ARE LEAKING WATER OUT WITHOUT FLUSHING. YOU WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE FILLER VALVE OR IT COULD BE THE FLAPPRR IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TANKEITHER WILL LOOSE OUT A LOT OF WATER IN A DAY. ANOTHER THING DID THE POWER CO. HAVE A INCREESE IN COST . I HOPE I HAVE HELPED WITH YOUR PROBLEM ,iF I HAVE RATE MY ANSWER BELOW :: gOOD lUCK & god bless ::f.b.e.

jlisenbe · Mar 8, 2008, 07:23 AM

A lot of good advice, but Eric hit the nail on the head. With all faucets off, see if you are losing pressure. Better yet, if you have a main shut off valve, turn it off so you can be sure there is no water use taking place. If pressure drops, then suspect the check valve. If you hold pressure for an hour or so, then turn on the water to the house and see if it continues to hold pressure with no water being used. If pressure drops, you know you have a leak between the tank and the house, a leaking commode, or some other problem "upstream" of the pressure tank.

There is the chance that the water table has dropped, but I would think it would have to be pretty significant to cause your electrical use to double or triple. Check with your neighbors and see if they are experiencing the same problem.