How does an expansion tank work with a well pump?

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We just bought a house and there is a well on the property. Of course, there is a pump to get the water out of the well and into the house but there is also this red thing in the “well house.” Reverse image search tells me it’s an expansion tank (the brand is Elbi) but I don’t understand exactly what purpose it serves. Can you explain it?

In: Physics

3 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

The tank acts as a replacement for a water tower, so you have water pressure without running the pump continuously. There’s a one-way valve that keeps the water from flowing backwards.

The tank itself has a section with air in it, separated from the water by a rubber diaphragm. And there’s a pressure switch that turns the pump on when the pressure drops enough.

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