Battery backup for sump pump full#

In addition to the backup pump kit, you’ll have to buy the battery separate. A backup pump kit can run from $200 to $900 typically depending on the pumping power. Total Sump Pump Costīattery backup sump pumps are available in most home centers. Since your home’s municipal water pressure is the source of its energy, the pumping capacity remains consistent no matter how long ago it was installed. You can also check with a simple pressure gauge available at the local hardware store.Īdditionally, unlike battery backups, water-powered pumps maintain the same pumping rates over time. So it’s a good idea to call your local water company and ask what the water pressure is for your neighborhood. The higher the pressure, the more powerful the water-powered pump. It all depends on the amount of water pressure you have available in your home. Our high-performance model MG22 can pump up to 1,800+ GPH, while our ultra-performance model MG36 can pump up to 2,830+ GPH (both pumps can use ¾” or 1″ water supply). However, the most powerful water-powered brand, Water Commander ™, can meet and exceed the pumping rates of a good electric sump pump ( see pumping rate table). In our article “ How Long Does a Backup Sump Pump Battery Last?“, we cite a North Dakota State University study that found the batteries used by backup pumps last between 4-7 hours of continuous running. Not only that, but if you lose power and the backup is running, its pumping rate will continually reduce the longer the pump runs. When the battery is new the light is bright-but over time the light gets dimmer and dimmer when you turn it on-until it doesn’t work at all. The same phenomenon can be seen on a flashlight. After only a year or two you may see your battery backup start to pump at a slower and slower rate as the battery spends its charge and grows weaker.

Battery backup for sump pump full#

Just as the battery’s capacity to hold a charge reduces over time (see run time), so does its ability to pump at full power.

In actuality, emergency backups experience significantly diminished pumping rates as they age. Depending on how powerful the pump is, most backups are rated to pump between 800 and 2,000 GPH, but that is only with a brand new, fully-charged battery. The actual pumps provided with emergency battery backups typically are either 1/4 HP or 1/3 HP. You don’t need to replace any parts, just test it twice a year by lifting the float or unplugging your electric pump. The highest quality water-powered sump pump available, Water Commander ™, can last up to 20+ years. In addition to the required battery replacement, battery backup sump pumps can mechanically fail after prolonged use. The largest manufacturer of battery backups recommends that you replace the battery with a new one every three years. Life Spanīatteries designed for backup sump pumps will last a limited amount of time. Since they do not need a battery, there is no need to worry about battery replacement or run-time limits. This is one of the primary benefits of these pumps. However, water-powered pumps will run for an unlimited amount of time. If the power outage outlasts the battery charge, you will effectively have no pump and your basement can quickly flood. It is very common for homeowners that think they are protected with a battery backup to experience a flood due to an older battery. After 5 years you will see even less run time. So, while a new battery may give you 8 hours of run time, a three-year-old battery may have only 2 or 3 hours of run time. As any battery ages, its charge capacity reduces. Once you’ve installed a battery backup with a brand-new battery, you will get about 7 to 8 hours of run time. If you’re curious, we have a comparison chart at the bottom summarizing each criteria for both battery and water-powered backups.

Cost: What is the cost of the pump over its entire life?.

Life Span: What is the total life of the pump before you have to replace it?.

Run Time: How long can the backup pump continuously run?.

We’ll take a look at 4 main criteria to compare both pumps:

The question is, which does a better job and why? Water-powered backup sump pumps run using your home’s municipal water pressure-no batteries or electricity are needed at all.īoth types of backup sump pumps are designed to protect your basement from flooding in the case of a power failure or a mechanical failure that would prevent your primary sump pump from operating.

However, water-powered backups have been steadily growing in popularity as homeowners become aware of their advantages. The most common is battery backups, which require purchasing both the pump itself and also a battery separately.