Choosing a pump is not just a question of power. An undersized pump won't deliver water where you need it. An oversized pump uses more energy, runs far from its best efficiency point and wears out sooner. That's why we created the Pumps & Gardens pump configurator: a simple tool that guides you, question by question, through a description of your system.
Based on the information you provide, the Pumps & Gardens specialist technical team, drawing on all its experience and on the latest technology, will propose the best solution, usually within a few business hours: the right pump for your system, together with the control panel and the electrical protection it needs to run safely and last for years.
Do you need to bring water into your home from a well, boost the pressure of water from a storage tank, irrigate your vegetable garden or lawn, pump out a flooded basement or replace a faulty pump? The configurator helps you choose the right pump, even if you have no technical knowledge.
How the pump configurator works
- Choose the application. Tell us what you need the pump for: well, pressure booster, irrigation, drainage, liquid transfer, swimming pool and more. Each application has its own set of questions.
- Enter your system details. Answer a few questions in plain terms: metres, floors, taps, sprinklers. If you don't know a value, just say so and we will use a safe estimate. In the free-text field you can describe your system and, if you are replacing a pump, enter the make and model shown on its rating plate.
- Get your solution. Our technical team analyses your data, calculates the actual duty point and proposes the most suitable pump, together with the control panel, accessories and electrical protection.
What information is needed to choose the right pump
Two key values are needed to size a pump correctly: flow rate and head. You don't have to calculate them yourself: just answer the configurator's questions and we will do the maths.
- Flow rate: how much water the pump has to deliver, in litres per minute or cubic metres per hour. It depends on how many outlets, taps or sprinklers need to run at the same time.
- Head: the total height the pump has to overcome. It includes the vertical lift from the water source to the highest delivery point, the friction losses in the pipework and the pressure you want at the outlet (1 bar is roughly equal to 10 metres).
- Available power supply: 230 V single-phase, 400 V three-phase or no mains power at all, in which case the answer is an engine-driven pump.
- Type of liquid: clean water, sandy water, dirty water or sewage, brackish water, food-grade liquids or diesel.
- System details: for a well, the inside diameter and the water level; for a tank, the suction lift; for a pressure booster, the number of floors and bathrooms.
What you can use the configurator for
Submersible borehole pumps
Drawing water from deep wells and boreholes calls for 4", 6" or larger submersible pumps with the right motor. The configurator asks for the inside diameter of the well, the water level and the depth, as well as where the water needs to go. Where there is sand or aggressive water, specific materials are chosen, such as AISI 304 or AISI 316 stainless steel and technopolymer impellers.
Pressure boosters and home water pressure
If your mains pressure is low or you draw water from a storage tank, a booster set with a pressure vessel ensures good pressure at every tap. With an inverter, pressure stays constant even when several outlets are open at once, with less noise and lower energy use. The configurator takes into account the number of floors and bathrooms and the position of the tank.
Irrigation pumps
Centrifugal, self-priming and multistage pumps are used to irrigate vegetable gardens, lawns, orchards and fields. The choice depends on the water source, the number and type of sprinklers or drip lines, the distance and the difference in height. A correctly sized pump delivers the right pressure to every zone.
Drainage and sewage pumps
Flooded rooms, sumps and pits are emptied with submersible pumps for clear water, dirty water and sewage, with grinder pumps and with complete lift stations. The key factors are the type of liquid, the size of the solids, the height to the discharge point and whether a float switch is needed for automatic operation.
Engine-driven pumps
Where there is no electricity, petrol or diesel engine pumps are the answer for irrigation, liquid transfer, dirty water and firefighting. The configurator takes into account the connection size, the suction lift and the required flow rate.
Transfer and positive displacement pumps
Transferring wine, oil, diesel or other liquids requires pumps suited to the fluid, its viscosity and, where needed, food contact. Reversible models are available on request.
Circulators
For radiator and underfloor heating systems, solar systems and domestic hot water recirculation. If you are replacing a circulator, just tell us the current model, the port-to-port length and the connections.
Swimming pool pumps
A pool pump is chosen according to the pool volume, the type of filter and its position relative to the water level, to ensure proper circulation and water that is always clean.
Dosing pumps
Dosing chlorine, pH correctors, fertilisers and other chemicals requires dosing pumps that are compatible with the product and its concentration. The configurator takes into account the dosing rate, the back pressure and the operating mode: constant, proportional with a pulse-output water meter, or controlled by pH, redox and chlorine readings.
Marine pumps
Boats need 12 V or 24 V DC pumps or 230 V pumps, chosen according to their function on board, the liquid and the flow rate.
More than a pump: control panels and electrical protection
A pump only lasts if it is properly controlled and protected. That's why the Pumps & Gardens technical team doesn't stop at the pump: we also recommend the most suitable control panel for the power, the power supply and the application.
- Starting method: direct-on-line for low power ratings; star-delta, soft starter or stator impedance starting for higher ratings; inverter to adjust the speed and keep the pressure constant.
- Dry-running protection: with float switches, level probes or electronic monitoring, so the pump never runs without water and gets damaged.
- Motor protection: against overload, phase loss and supply faults.
- Automation and control: pressure switches, flow switches, panels for one or more pumps, alarms and remote control.
This way you get a complete, matched system rather than separately chosen components that may not work well together.
Brands in the configurator
The configurator selects the solution from the brands we carry: Speroni, FB, Dreno, Euromatic, Marina, Injecta, Liverani and Airmec for pumps, engine pumps and dosing pumps; Elentek and Salupo for pump control and protection panels.
Why trust the Pumps & Gardens technical team
- Selection based on the actual duty point: the pump is chosen from its performance curves, not just from the maximum values on the label.
- A complete solution: pump, control panel, electrical protection and accessories, designed to work together.
- Alternatives explained: as well as the main solution, we suggest an alternative and explain the differences.
- No guesswork: if the information isn't enough, our technical team will ask you for what's missing instead of suggesting a pump at random.
- Experience and technology: the know-how of people who size pumping systems every day, combined with tools that make our answers fast and accurate.
Pump configurator FAQ
What if I don't know some details about my system?
Every technical question has an "I don't know" option. In that case we use a safe estimate and, if the value is critical, our technical team will contact you to clarify it.
Can I use the configurator to replace a pump I already have?
Yes. Enter the make and model of your current pump as shown on its rating plate: it's the quickest way to find the correct replacement or an equivalent model.
What is the difference between flow rate and head?
Flow rate is the amount of water the pump delivers per unit of time. Head is the total height the pump can overcome. A pump must be chosen on both values together, because as head increases, flow rate decreases.
Submersible pump or surface pump: which is better?
It depends on where the water is. A surface pump can lift water from a depth of up to about 7 metres; beyond that, you need a submersible pump or a deep-well jet pump. The configurator will tell you which, based on the details you enter.
Single-phase or three-phase pump?
It depends on your power supply: 230 V single-phase in most homes, 400 V three-phase on farms and in larger installations. For high power ratings, three-phase is often the only option.
Does the configurator also recommend the control panel?
Yes. Along with the pump, we propose the right control panel and electrical protection, based on the power rating, the power supply, the starting method and the application.
Configure your pump now
Open the configurator and answer the questions about your system: the Pumps & Gardens specialist technical team will propose the right pump, complete with control panel and electrical protection, usually within a few business hours.