A high-rise residential booster pump system is designed to increase the water pressure in a building’s domestic cold-water supply so that units and mechanical equipment on the upper floors have adequate water pressure. Most residences tend to notice significant impacts to daily uses when the pressure is below 40 psi and some newer appliances may not operate properly with pressures less than 40 psi. A booster pump will increase and maintain a constant water pressure to the building resolving impacts from low pressure.

A VFD, or Variable Frequency Drive, is an electronic controller device that modulates  the speed of the pump based on real time pressure requirement data fed from the building’s domestic cold water supply system. The VFD adjusts the speed of the pump motor up or down so that the pumps work only as hard at necessary, and his conserving electricity.

The Triplex, or 3 pump system is recommended in most cases to increase efficiency and reliability from a single larger pump set-up. The three pumps in a triplex system, operate in tandem to share the water demand requirements in a cascade configuration where a second or third pump will run only when necessary. This save a great deal of electricity vs. Booster pump systems where the pumps run continuously. In a triplex system, the pumps are also programmed to “rotate” duty as the lead pump which extends the lifetime of the entire system.

Yes. While the maintenance and service required by modern energy efficient booster pumps is greatly reduced when compared to older, larger systems, they do require periodic checks to ensure smooth operation and maximum efficiency.
Older booster pump system that were typically run harder and had to withstand years of hard start and stop operation, are prone to early wear issues with the motor bearings and pump impellers. Regular maintenance on older system’s PRVs (Pressure Reducing Valves) is a common and necessary maintenance concern.

The lifespan of a booster pump system depends on many factors, the most important of which is operational hours. Energy efficient pumps can reduce the number of operational pumps, as well as how hard each pump and motor assembly are working. Rotating lead/lag duty of the pumps will also extend the lifespan of the pump system. Under normal operating conditions and with routine maintenance, a new energy efficient pump system with VFDs is expected to last at least 25 years.

Yes. Booster pump systems with even a basic control panel will automatically switch back on once electrical power returns to the building. Booster pump systems are not typically included in those building systems that run off an emergency back-up generators. In newer Combined Heat and Power (CHP) generator systems, booster pumps are included as they are a key component of sustainable occupancy during extended power outages.

Opinions concerning pump sizing do indeed differ, however a building’s domestic cold water needs do not. The water supply and pressure needs throughout the building are based on a key set of data, these being: 1. Building height; 2. Number of suites; 3. Available “City Pressure”; 4. Efficiency data from the manufacturer’s pump curves; 5. The building’s plumbing design.  Most contractors for booster pump retrofits tend to err on the side of caution and install pumps that are oversized with the hope that the larger system size will prevent any problems pertaining to pressure or one of the pumps going down. The extra pump and motor size (Horsepower) and the associated higher electrical cost to operate larger pumps is unnecessary. In older buildings, some pumps are oversized to match the loss in pressure created by the installation of PRVs. Newer energy- efficient booster pumps coupled with VFDs eliminates the need for PRVs and water-expansion tanks.

Pricing for a new booster pump system varies, naturally, with the size of the building in question and other data elements discussed above. Generally, the cost of a new energy-efficient booster pump systems ranges between $30,000 and $50,000.

On the scheduled install date, building management is asked to notify tenants that the water supply will be shut down between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. During most installations, the retrofit wok is completed and the building’s water supply is turned on again within 2 to 3 hours time.

Yes. Every good manufacturer or engineering firm offering a booster pump system should include, at minimum, a 2-year warranty the booster system components, as well as their engineering work.

Yes. In Ontario, the SaveOnEnergy program offers booster pump retrofit incentives province wide. Available incentive $ amounts range up to $25,000.00, or 50% of the eligible project costs. Eligible costs include all pump system components, installation costs, delivery, and disposal cost of the old pump parts. Many building owners/managers also choose the option of a filter on the booster pump platform, which filters out solid materials from the incoming municipal water supply. Material coming into a building through the municipal supply includes sand and dirt, bits of metal and plastic, precipitates such as CaCO3, and sometimes even larger pieces of debris. The filtration system is an eligible cost that can be included in the energy incentive calculation.  All administrative work related to the energy incentive is handled by the manufacturer/service provider.