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×Quick Info About 1/2 HP Sump PumpsHow Many GPM Is A ½ HP Sump Pump? Do I Need A 1/2 HP Sump Pump? Pump Housing GPM (Gallons Per Minute) Float Switch Warranty CostOur RecommendationMore ResourcesQuick Shop 1/2 HP Sump Pumps
 
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One-Half Horse Power Sump Pump Review By Comparison

This Sump Pump 1/2 HP Review by Comparison For Submersibles at Pumps Selection provides help buying 1/2 HP sump pumps. Though all 1/2 HP models have the same HP, their other features have differences. Discover the feature differences and their impact on effectiveness. Discover your homes physical characteristics that impact the published pumping performance of the 1/2 HP sump pump. Discover by comparison the right featured 1/2 HP sump pump for your home.

 
 
 

Sump Pump HP 1/2 Table Of Contents

Quick Info About Sump Pump HP 1/2
How Many GPM Is A 1/2 HP Sump Pump?
Do I Need A 1/2 HP Sump Pump?
1/2 HP Sump Pump Specs Review
Pump Housing
GPM (Gallons Per Minute)
Float Switch
Solids Handling
Pump Weight
Pit Size Required
Warranty
Cost
Common Questions About 1/2 HP Sump Pumps
Our Recommendation
Helpful Related Resources
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Quick Info About 1/2 HP Sump Pump

HP is only one of the factors determining pumping capacity.
Horsepower, Head (Lift), Motor Efficiency, impeller design, check valve type and discharge pipe system configuration impact the gallons pumped per minute.
Horsepower may be 3/4; however efficiency can range from 15% to over 90%; thus it is important to check manufacturers rating of gallons pumped per minute for the specific pump.
The terrain around the house impacts the amount of water seeping through the ground to the drain tile and into the pit.
1/2 HP sump pumps have GPM differences.
Cast iron housing dissipates heat well and increases a sump pumps longevity.
Zoeller's upgraded 2-pole vertical float switch is tested to 3 million pump cycles and has a 5 year warranty.
USA made sump pumps are more costly; however their quality is superior and testing is performed for each sump pump.
All 1/2 HP sump pumps perform the functions of a sump pump regardless of brand and model.
A look at sump pump HP 1/2 sump pumps that are well rated by customers.
 
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Sump Pump HP 1/2 HP TOC
 
 
 

How Many GPM Is 1/2 HP Sump Pump?

The average GPM for a 1/2 HP sump pump is 59 GPM at a vertical height of ten feet.

There is no standard GPM for one-half horse power sump pumps. GPM is dependent on the way it is made by the manufacturer and its installation in the house.

The GPM range for one-half HP sump pumps is 48 gallons per minute to 71 gallons per minute at a ten foot vertical head height. Here are the factors that impact the GPM.

A top suction impeller causes less friction and has a higher GPM.
The smaller the vortex impeller diameter, the higher the GPM.
The higher the sump pump motor RPM (revolutions per minute), the higher the GPM.
The larger the pump discharge port, the higher the GPM.
The higher the water is pumped vertically, the lower the GPM.
The more elbows in the discharge system, the lower the GPM.
Ninety degree elbows in the discharge system lower the GPM more than forty-five degree elbows.
A quiet check valve in the discharge system lowers the GPM more than a traditional check valve. A quiet check valve uses a one-half pound spring to keep it shut and lower the noise of water hammer.
The larger the diameter of the discharge pipe system, the greater the GPM flow through.
 
 
 

Do I Need A 1/2 HP Sump Pump?

There are several factors that determine whether a one-half HP sump pump is needed. Here are the factors to consider.

A house in a low lying area at the bottom of a hill gets more water to pump.
A house with a landscape sloping downward from it, avoids some water.
A high sloping roof line on a house with a footprint of more than 1,000 square feet gets a lot of water that needs pumping during heavy rainstorms.
A high water table always results in heavy pit water influx during a rainy season and spring thaw.
Sandy soil surrounding a house requires more HP than clay soil.
Heavy rains causing the sump pump to run continuously for long periods of time needs more HP.
 

Monitoring the water volume flowing into the pit during heavy rains is the best way to determine how much horse power is needed. Here is how to measure the water volume flowing into the pit during a specific time period.

Use the sump pump manual to find the float switch ON OFF height. The difference between the ON OFF height indicates the number of gallons pumped per pumping cycle if the pit is 18 inches in diameter. If a manual is not available, assume 4 to 5 inches between the ON OFF height.
Tally how many times the sump pump runs in 15 seconds and multiply the result by 4.
Then multiply the cycle times per 60 seconds by the gallons pumped per cycle. The result is the GPM your sump pump requires. For additional protection add an additional 15 percent.
 
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Sump Pump HP 1/2 HP TOC
 
 
 

1/2 HP Sump Pump Specifications Review

All 1/2 HP sump pumps perform the same function: to pump unwanted water from the pit so the basement does not flood; but their specifications are not the same. The specification variation does affect the pumps longevity, its ability to handle solids, its pumping performance, its weight and its cost.

 
 
 

Pump Housing

Good Pump Housing Makes A Big Difference. Pump housing exists to not only cover and protect the motor, but it dissipates heat caused when the motor runs continuously for a period of time.

Not all materials dissipate heat at the same rate.

Thermoplastic is not ideal for a 1/2 HP sump pump because thermoplastic traps heat and causes the motor and pump switch to get hot and fail quicker.
Stainless steel housing is better than thermoplastic; however it is not as good as cast iron.
Cast iron dissipates heat well.
Carbon steel is a good second choice for housing.
Stainless steel, aluminum and zinc heat up faster than cast iron.
Thermoplastic traps heat.
An insdie look at the Zoeller M95 which is made of cast iron.
 

Here is the material brands use for 1/2 HP sump pump housing.

Zoeller pumps made in the USA, Models M95 and M98 use two layers of cast iron: motor housing and pump housing. Using two layers really dissipates heat well.
Wayne uses carbon steel for models CDT50, SPF50 and CDU800. It is a good second choice for pump housing.
Liberty Pumps, Superior Pump, Little Giant, Flotec, Star Water Systems, Glentronics, also known as Basement Watchdog, Everbiltk, and Red Lion use cast iron for some models, but also have models that use other materials for pump housing.
Red Lion model RL-SP50T, Star Water Systems model 5SPHLC, Superior Pumps model 92571 and Liberty Pumps model 457 use aluminum pump housing.
Red Lion model RL-SS50T uses stainless steel housing.
Flotec models PFXCI5050,FPAZ50V and FPST7300 use zinc pump housing.
Glentronics model SP50T and Superior Pumps models 92570 and 92572 use thermoplastic pump housing.
 
Sump Pump HP 1/2 HP TOC
 
 
 

GPM (Gallons Per Minute)

Even though the sump pumps referenced here are all 1/2 HP, they do not have the same GPM. GPM is definitely an important spec to review and compare. It indicates how fast water can be pumped from the pit.

Liberty Pumps 280 series offer the highest GPM at 71 gallons per minute.
Wayne Pumps CDU800, Superior Pumps 92571 and Little Giants 9EC pump 64 gallons per minute.
Zoeller Pumps M95 and M98, Glentronics SI50 and Foltec E50VLT and E50TLT pump 64 gallons per minute. Everbilt pumps 63 gallons per minute. The other 1/2 HP sump pumps GPM is lower.
 

The gallons pumped per cycle also varies by sump pump brand.

Zoellers M95 pumps the most at 6.5 gallons per cycle.
Star Water System and Flotec pump around 4 gallons per pumping cycle while Little Giant,
Liberty Pump, Superior and Red Lion pump 6 gallons per pumping cycle.
Zoeller 1075 0.50 HP-Cast-Iron Submersible Sump Pump
 
 
 

Float Switch

The 1/2 HP sump pump includes two float switch types: the tether and the vertical.

The tether float switch is known for taking the most pit room and getting caught in the pit easily.
The vertical float is known for its smaller footprint making it easy to install a backup sump pump beside it in the same pit.
Pictured is a sump pump tether float switch
 

The vertical float switch also has two variations: the 2-pole snap action and the magnetic. Of the two types the 2-pole snap action vertical is most reliable.

The 2-pole snap action vertical float switch is found on Zoeller (this is all Zoeller uses on their 1/2 HP sump pumps), Wayne, Red Lion, Everbilt and Little Giant sump pumps.
Many brands such as Wayne, Liberty Pumps, Little Giant, Red Lion, Superior, Flotec and Star Water Systems also use both the tether and vertical magnetic float switch on their 1/2 HP sump pumps.
Recently Zoeller upgrades one of its 1/2 HP models, M95, to use an enhanced design upgrade of the 2-pole vertical float switch to increase its longevity to at least 3 million pump cycles with a 5 year warranty.
Pictured is The 2 Pole Snap Action vertical float switch
 
 
 

Solids Handling

Solids handling is not an issue for many sump pump owners. If your sump pit does not contain debris or small pebbles, a Wayne 1/2 HP sump pump is very well suited; however, if your sump pit contains small pebbles, a sump pump with a vortex impeller works best.

Zoeller, Liberty Pumps, Little Giant, Superior Pumps, Red Lion, Flotec, Start Water Systems, and Glentronics pumps are designed with a vortex impeller which handles small pebbles ranging in size from 3/8 to 1/2 inches. A vortex impeller keeps the pit cleaner and there is no screen to clean periodically.

 
 
 

Pump Weight

Cast iron sump pumps weigh the most. Cast iron adds weight to a pump to keep it from moving so much during continuous pumping.

Though many sump pump brands use cast iron housing there is a difference in the amount of cast iron used and its quality.

Zoeller sump pumps weight the most at 38 pounds.
Superior Pumps and Flotec use cast iron housing, their pumps weigh 25 pounds.
Little Giant, Everbilt  and Liberty Pumps sump pumps also use cast iron; however their weight is around 29 pounds.
Basement Watchdog and Star Water systems cast iron pumps weigh 22 pounds.
Carbon steel weighs even less so Wayne's sump pumps weigh slightly under 20 pounds.
 
Sump Pump HP 1/2 HP TOC
 
 
 
 

Pit Size Required

Pit diameter size required is based on the width of the sump pump and its float type.

Sump pumps with a tether float require the most pit diameter, 18 inches, because the float is free floating up, out and in.
The pit diameter size required for a vertical float switch is at least six inches less than that required for a tether float because a vertical float only moves up and down on its float bar.
A vertical float has a protruding guard to prevent the float from getting hung up on the pits side during heavy continuous pumping. Though the guard requires some pit space, it definitely protects the float and keeps the sump pump from failing to pump because of a inoperable float.
 

Here are the 1/2 HP Sump Pump Brands by pit size required.

Zoeller, Superior Pumps, Everbilt and Star Water Systems with vertical float switches are the widest at 11 inches.
Flotec sump pumps with a vertical float switch are 10.315 inches wide.
Liberty Pumps and Red Lion pumps are 10 inches wide.
Wayne and Little Giant pumps with their vertical float switch are narrowest at 9 inches and 8.48 inches wide respectively.
 

Based on the pump widths mentioned above, a 12 inch diameter works best for 1/2 HP sump pumps with a vertical float switch.

 
Sump Pump HP 1/2 HP TOC
 
 
 
 

Warranty

 

One-half HP sump pump warranty coverage ranges from 1 year to 5 years. This means if the sump pump fails during the warranty period, the manufacturer will replace it.

The 1/2 HP sump pumps with the longest warranty are Zoeller M95 and Flotec E50VLT with 5 years.
Glentronics, Little Giant, Superior Pump, Red Lion, Everbilt and one Wayne Sump Pump CDU800 feature a 3 year warranty.
Star Water systems offers a 2 year warranty on their 1/2 HP sump pumps.
The Wayne SPF50 has the shortest warranty of 1 year.
 
 
 

Cost

 

The cost for 1/2 HP sump pump varies from around $170 to $470. The variation is based on the quality of materials used, where they are made, assembled and if each pump is tested.

The most budget friendly 1/2 HP sump pump brands are: Glentronics, Flotec, Superior and Wayne. Each pump is not tested. The warranty covers those that fail to work when installed.
Glentronics, Everbilt sump pumps are made in China.
Wayne sump pump parte are made in China and assembled in the USA.
Flotec sump pumps are made in Mexico.
 
The pumps that are made in the USA and tested before shipment include: Zoeller, Little Giant and Liberty Pumps. Their price is higher.
 

The cost of the Zoeller M95 is due to its quality materials, enhanced features and testing.

The M95 has the longest warranty: 5 years. If the sump pump is installed in a finished basement, the extra 2 years warranty is well worth the cost and hassle of sump pump failure.
The enhanced vertical fioat switch has been tested to 3 million cycles. The switch has an additional connectivity bar to decrease friction caused by the ON position to extend its longevity.
Each pump is tested twice: once for leaks and again for performance so it will work when installed.
Pictured is the Zoeller M95 one-half horse power sump pump as it is being tested.
 
Sump Pump HP 1/2 HP TOC
 
 
 

Common Questions About 1/2 HP Sump Pumps

Is 1/2 HP sump pump too much?

There are several factors to consider when determining if a 1/2 HP sump pump is too much. A 1/2 HP sump pump is too much if the sump pump rarely runs and pumps less than once every 3 to 5 minutes during a heavy rainstorm. A 1/2 HP sump pump is necessary if a 1/3 HP sump pump cannot keep up with the volume of water entering the pit during a heavy rainstorm and it looks as if the pit will overflow.

A 1/3 HP sump pump is the most common sump pump size for a house that is not in a high water table area, has a footprint of less than 1,500 square feet, and is not located at the bottom of a hill with a lot of run off. Rainstorms these days seem to be heavier so installing a 1/2 HP provides additional pumping protection.

What is the longest lasting sump pump?

The longest lasting sump pump is a sump pump built with cast iron. Cast iron extends the life of a sump pump by heat dissipation which protects the motor and other parts from overheating. Zoeller is known for extending the life of their sump pumps to over 20 years by using cast iron motor housing and cast iron pump housing.

 
 
 

Our Recommendation

Our Recommendation for a 1/2 HP sump pump is the Zoeller M95.

The Zoeller M95 is made of all cast iron: the motor housing, the pump housing, the switch cap and the base. This gives the M95 longevity.
The 2-pole vertical float switch is enhanced to extend the life of the switch by reducing the friction caused per pump cycle to over 3 million pump cycles before needing replacement.
The viton outer switch boot provides additional protection to keep moisture from interfering with the switch electrical current.
The LED plug indicates electricity is operational for the pump.
The M95 will work the first time when installed because each pump is tested once for leaks and the second time for pumping performance.
Its 5 year warranty indicates Zoeller stands behind the M95 sump pump.
Pictured is the Zoeller M95 one-half horse power sump pump.
 
Sump Pump HP 1/2 HP TOC
 
 

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QUICK SHOP ZOELLER 1/2 HP (0.5) NON AUTOMATIC SUMP PUMPS CHOOSE YOUR OWN FLOAT SWITCH

Zoeller N98 .5 HP-Cast-Iron Non-Automatic Submersible Sump Pump
 

N98

N98 1/2 HP cast-iron housing, 3660 GPH @ 10 feet, Non Automatic, 15 Ft Cord. No-Screen To-Clog-Vortex-Impeller, weighs 36.4 lbs, 3 yr. warranty, Made In USA
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