Alternatives to a Generator During a Power Outage
Many of our customers are interested in solutions when the power is off. If you are visiting this blog, then bets are that you don’t want the noise, hassle and expense of a generator. Today’s blog will explore several non-generator options to powering your well pump equipment. The alternatives that we’ll look at are: Powering your submersible well pump with solar power and powering your equipment with a backup power supply/battery bank. We’ll wrap up by exploring some of the reputable companies that manufacture solar well pump equipment. If you are after a small solar power source that can power some basic equipment around your house during an outage, check then check out a portable power system.
PROVEN METHODS OF SUPPLYING YOUR TEMPORARY WATER NEEDS INSTEAD OF A GENERATOR
“Isn’t there a better way?” you may be asking. In some cases, yes, there are other, potentially better ways to ensure water without resorting to the purchase of a generator. The potential solution really depends on your situation, budget and the amount of water needed during power outages.
If you are after enough water for a few toilet flushes, a quick shower and doing a few dishes in the sink; there are a few options:
1) Check with your neighbors to find out who has water that is not affected by utility outages. It may be possible, with their permission, to run a garden hose from one of their hose bibs to one of yours and connect it using a double hose connector from your local hardware store. Keep your water usage down and offer your neighbor a few bucks or some cookies to show your appreciation!
2) One of my favorite solutions is to install an additional pressure tank or a larger pressure tank into the water system. This will increase the amount of pressurized water available during a power outage. Many systems have relatively small pressure tanks that hold small reserve of only a few gallons. This means after washing hands and a few toilet flushes, the stored reservoir of pressurized water is gone and the pump must run again to re-pressurize the system! A single 119 gallon Well X Trol WX350 pressure tank will give you 37 gallons of usable, pressurized water! 37 gallons is enough for a several short showers, a sink full of dishes and a half dozen toilet flushes! As I’m certain you’ve already noticed, pressure tank size and drawdown capacity are different. An 80 gallon pressure tank may displace a physical volume of 80 gallons, but may only have a water storage capacity of 25-30 gallons when the air charge needed to provide pressure is accounted for. While a large pressure tank can be expensive, there is virtually no maintenance and installation is usually not difficult! If you have any water leaks, this type of solution won’t be of any help until those leaks are identified and repaired. Give our team a call if you’d like to discuss this option!
3) Some people choose to install a small storage tank near the house that they can fill with a hose and put a capful of bleach in to ensure the water stays clean. This small storage tank serves as a point that they can go to fill buckets to use for toilet flushing, washing dishes and watering plants if needed.
There are some solutions if you need more water, but they really depend on existing site conditions:
1)If you have elevation on your property in the form of a hill or a sturdy elevated platform, gravity will be your friend! It may be time to install a storage tank that can fill when the electricity is on and then water can flow by gravity to your house when needed.
2) If you have already installed solar panels on your house and have solar power available, you can upgrade this system with a battery bank to ensure power in the event of power outages. This can be quite expensive and may also require more than just installing a battery bank. Some systems may require changing the type and location of the inverter(s) and the installation of charge controllers. Please contact your solar installer for more information on converting your grid tied solar system to a grid tied solar with battery backup.
3) Some properties in the mountains have untapped or undeveloped springs located above the houses that could be setup to supply water.
As you contemplate a solution to provide water during power outages or to remote well sites in the Napa Valley region, remember that Oakville Pump Service has highly trained staff that can help you come up with an appropriate solution for your application and budget! Oakville Pump Service has been helping our customers ensure reliable and available water for our clients for over 35 years! Please call us at (707)944-2471 if we can help ensure your water needs are met. Check out more of our blogs that discuss generators and other options to supply water in the event of an emergency! If your after very simple simple solutions for water during power outages, check out this recent blog on simple solar power and hand pumps that some of our clients use!