Jet Pumps vs. Submersible Pumps - Which Kind You Have, and What It Means for Backup
Last verified: September 2026
Two kinds of well pump, two very different backup stories. This guide helps you tell a jet pump from a submersible, understand why the voltage and the starting surge matter, and see which one is easier to run on a generator or battery. Rather have a hand figuring out what you have? My number is (330) 200-8042.
Jet vs. Submersible Well Pumps, at a Glance
Not all well pumps are alike. A jet pump sits above ground and pulls water up by suction, and some run on ordinary 120-volt power, which makes them the friendlier case for backup. A submersible pump lives down in the well, usually runs on 240 volts, and needs a bigger generator with real surge headroom plus a licensed electrician's hookup. Knowing which kind you have is the first step in any backup plan, and this guide walks you through telling them apart and what each one means for a generator or a battery. There is a printable 29-page version up top.
Common Questions
1 What is the difference between a jet pump and a submersible pump?
A jet pump sits above ground and pulls water up by suction, and some run on 120 volts. A submersible pump sits down inside the well and pushes water up, and is usually 240 volts. Which one you have shapes your whole backup plan.
2 Which kind is easier to back up?
Usually a shallow-well jet pump, especially a 120-volt one, because it asks less of a generator or battery to start. A deep 240-volt submersible needs bigger equipment and a proper hookup. Even the easier case should be verified before you rely on it.
3 Can a power station or battery run my well pump?
A 120-volt shallow jet pump is the realistic candidate, if you confirm it can handle the pump's starting surge. Most power stations put out 120 volts only, so they usually cannot run a 240-volt submersible at all.
4 How do I find out which kind I have?
Look for a pump above ground near your tank — that points to a jet pump. If all you see outside is a capped wellhead with no pump, it is likely a submersible. When in doubt, ask the company that drilled or services your well.
5 Does the starting surge matter for both kinds?
Yes. Every pump motor, jet or submersible, needs a brief jolt of power to start — often around three times its running power. That is why even a small 120-volt jet pump has to be matched carefully to a generator or battery.
6 Do I still need an electrician for a 120-volt jet pump?
Yes. A well pump is almost always wired straight into your home, so connecting backup power to it is a licensed electrician's job — never a cord or a backfed outlet — whichever kind of pump you have.
Would You Rather I Just Help?
Figuring out what kind of well pump you have is the first step in any backup plan, and it is one I am glad to take with you — which pump, what voltage, and what it means for a generator or battery. $99 flat for a visit, and every visit is 30-day come-back-free.
Would you rather I just do this for you?
No shame in it — plenty of folks would rather hand it off, and that's what I'm here for. I'll come to your home, set it up right, and make sure it's working before I leave. Flat $99 per visit — no jargon, no upsell, and every visit is 30-day come-back-free.
Not a hardware job? I can often fix it remotely for $49 — a secure screen-share, up to 2 hours, that you watch the whole time and can end whenever (included free for $39/mo Support Plan members, and it counts toward the $99 if it turns out I need to come out).