Criteria for choosing a pressure tank

A hydrofor system is a pressurized installation that improves the use of household water. An integral part of a hydrofor set is the pressure tank, pump, and pressure switch. The system is responsible for maintaining the correct pressure of the medium in the pipes of the plumbing network. A hydrofor protects the water pump from excessive operation and ensures a constant water flow. Installing a hydrofor is necessary if we use our own water source or if the pressure at the connection point to the water supply network is too low.

How to choose a good hydrofor?

1. Pressure tank capacity. The size of the hydrofor tank will depend on the maximum water demand of the supplied facility. If the hydrofor is to supply a single-family home with household water, its capacity should not be less than 100 liters. Everything depends on the number of household members and the amount of water they use. The dimensions of the plumbing system in the building are also relevant in this context.
2. Shape of the pressure tank. Pressure tanks in hydrofor sets are available in various shapes, although the cylindrical model is the most popular. A cylindrical tank can have a vertical or horizontal orientation. Its specific variant should be adapted to the available space in the room. When installing a tank in a basement, there are usually no major restrictions. However, they may arise if we want to install a tank in a bathroom, for example in a cabinet under a sink.
3. Tank construction technology. Hydrofor tanks can be diaphragm tanks or galvanized tanks. Diaphragm tanks have a rubber tank for storing water. They are most often used indoors because the diaphragm should not be exposed to UV radiation. Galvanized tanks, on the other hand, are resistant to atmospheric conditions, so they can be successfully installed outdoors. In recent years, diaphragm tanks have become increasingly popular. Unlike bladder tanks, they have a diaphragm positioned perpendicular to the tank, whose interior is covered with a special coating intended for contact with drinking water. Such tanks are practically maintenance-free, as the pressure inside the tank only needs to be checked once a year. PHU DAMBAT was one of the first companies to introduce this type of tank to the Polish market under the IBO ITALY FIX designation. Italian diaphragms were used in their production. The greatest advantage of this type of tank is its exceptionally long warranty, lasting 5 years.
4. Type of hydrofor pump. Hydrofor sets use surface pumps (self-priming) or submersible pumps. The former are installed next to or on the tank. It is worth bearing in mind, however, that such a pump is characterized by an elevated noise level, so it should not be located in utility rooms, but rather in a basement, for example. The latter are located below the water surface, but a deep well is necessary for their installation. A submersible pump should be installed if the water level in the well is below 7–8 meters. Hydrofor pumps can also be single-stage or multistage and have single-phase or three-phase power supplies.
5. Hydrofor pump power. The pump power must be adapted to the demand for household water. The general rule is that the pump capacity must be greater than the expected water consumption. Not only the water demand at the facility Qmax is important, but also the minimum required water pressure at the hydrofor outlet Hmin. Based on these values, the required head Hp of the hydrofor set can be determined, and the pump power can then be selected accordingly. An analysis of the product selection chart is necessary for this purpose. When applying this criterion, the well’s capacity must be taken into account. Unfortunately, buyers often assume that the more powerful the pump, the better. This is often a mistaken assumption. Especially during dry periods, users with highly efficient pumps delivering more than 100 l/min are exposed to so-called dry running, which can result in the pump seizing. During droughts, the water level in the well usually falls, and if the pump has a high capacity, there is a risk of breaking the water column. As a result, the pump will operate without water, causing the hydraulics to seize. At that point, there is only one option left—to buy a new pump.
   For such pumps, it is worth adding additional dry-running protection, which will allow the device to operate trouble-free for many years.