Well Tank Replacement Saves Pump in Owings, MD

The Problem

A homeowner in Owings, MD (20736) noticed their electric bill had increased significantly over the past 3 months — by approximately $80–100 per month. Their neighbor mentioned that a failing well pump can cause high electric bills, and they called us to investigate.

The well pump was 9 years old. There were no obvious symptoms — water pressure was normal, no unusual sounds, no visible issues.

The Diagnosis

We performed a well system diagnostic. The pressure tank was the first thing we checked — tapping it revealed it was partially waterlogged. The air charge had dropped from the factory pre-charge of 28 PSI to approximately 12 PSI.

A partially waterlogged tank causes the pump to cycle more frequently than it should — instead of running for 2–3 minutes and resting for 5–7 minutes, the pump was running for 45 seconds and cycling every 2–3 minutes.

We calculated that the pump was running approximately 3–4 times more often than it should be. This explained the increased electric bill — the pump motor was drawing full amperage every 2–3 minutes instead of every 7–10 minutes.

The Solution

We replaced the pressure tank with a new 30-gallon unit, properly pre-charged to 28 PSI. We also inspected the pump motor — it was in good condition despite the excessive cycling.

We verified the pressure switch settings and tested the system cycle time after installation. The pump was now running for 2.5 minutes and resting for 6–8 minutes — a healthy cycle pattern.

We also recommended an annual well system check to catch issues like this before they cause significant energy waste or pump damage.

The Outcome

The homeowner's electric bill returned to normal the following month — the $80–100 monthly increase disappeared. The pump has been running normally for 18 months. The early detection prevented what would likely have been a pump failure within 6–12 months.

Key Takeaways

• A sudden increase in electric bills can indicate a well system problem
• A partially waterlogged pressure tank causes excessive pump cycling
• Excessive cycling wastes electricity and shortens pump life
• Annual well system checks catch problems before they cause failures
• Pressure tank replacement is a low-cost fix that prevents expensive pump replacement