Well pump replacement

[mfisch011]

I am having trouble with a 1/2 hp well pump that is about 7 years old. The pressure when I first turn on the faucet is fine but when I try to fill a bathtub inside or water the grass outside the pressure in the lines drops and never fully recovers while the faucets are on. The pressure starts at 50psi and will drop to about 15psi. The pump then starts and the pump can get back up to about 20-25 psi and then the pressure begins to drop. I talked to a well company who came out and said the well is pulling 22 amps and then is automatically shutting off because it is overheating. I was told I need to replace the well pump. They recommended a 1/2 hp pump that pumps 10 gallons per minute, I did not get any type of brand name or model number for the well pump they were going to install but it was going to cost almost $600 for just the pump. They also recommended installing a new pressure tank in the house. I currently have an ~5 gallon pressure tank.
I found out the well I have is 179 feet deep, with a water level of 80 feet, (static water level I think.) I do not know the recovery rate of the well or the depth the well pump is at. I have several recommendations that say a 1/2 hp pump is fine and others say install a 3/4 hp pump. Since I have to replace the well pump I would like to make sure that the new well pump does not breakdown in 7 years. I have heard the pressure tank should be sized close to the gallons per minute the new pump is pumping.

The house I live in is a one story ranch, with a full basement recently remodeled. On the main level, I have master bath with separate shower and tub, toilet, and 2 sinks; second full bath with shower/tub, toilet, sink; kitchen sink, dishwasher; and washing machine; in the basement I have shower, sink, and toilet. There are two spigots outside, one has a 3/4" hose line the other with a 1/2" hose line.

I am trying to figure out what would be a good quality pump, the pump size, the correct pressure tank size, or if I should only replace the pump that I have in the well. The little bit of price searching I have found looks like $600 is too much for a pump.

The current pump uses a 30 amp circuit.

If you need any other information, please let me know and I will provide it.

Thanks in advance.

[Gary Slusser]

I'd say a 3/4 hp 10-13 gpm set at 165'. And you need a larger tank set at 29-28 psi of air with no water in it. And the pump should be off for a minute or more before it comes on again and the size of the tank (the draw down gallons) determines that. The switch needs to be set at 30/50.

$600 is too much for a 1/2hp 10 gpm pump.