How do I prevent Water Well from freezing temps?

[DeerGeek]

I put in a water well at the ranch this summer. I built a shed around the pump/tank.

I have never had a well and don’t know how to prepare for the colder temps.

How do I prevent the tank/pipes from freezing? It is supposed to drop to 28 this week...

[Randy]

Put a heat lamp inside of your well house.

[Captrix]

We use a heat lamp inside the well house. You'll know when the bulb goes out

[DeerGeek]

Where can I get a heat lamp?

Do you just leave it on all winter long? Any fire danger?

[Captrix]

Where can I get a heat lamp?

Do you just leave it on all winter long? Any fire danger?

I think ours is on a timer. We got the light bulbs at Tractor Supply. We use the red ones like what you put on chicks to keep them warm

[Randy Sr.]

Don't wory about the frost line... just keep a heat lamp in the pump house, insulation on above grade plumbing, and if possible, insulate the pump house... In most cases just the heat lamp is enough...

[berto]

I just used a regular 100 watt light bulb. But the heat lamp would be better. I'm just a cheap ***

[jmangrem]

A lot depends on how insulated the shed is. The oil circulator heaters work well also.
As for fire danger, if your wiring is good and there's nothing within 3-5 feet from the heater you should be alright.

[Roscoe]

We got a 100 watt light bulb that's turned on by a thermostat. Something that the guy who put the well in rigged up. Well cover is one of those white fibreglass "calf sheds" like you see on dairy farms. Been probably 5 or 6 yrs with no problem. We just change the bulb out every year. 100 watt in that small a space is more than enough heat.

[bowhuntntxn]

100W clear bulb, not a white one. depending on the shed size it should be more than enough. you could get a trouble light and put a heat lamp bulb in it if it is a bigger shed. also insulate the pipes above ground and you should be fine.

[BRobbins]

I was interested in this also, and looking around found this controller. I haven't used one but it has some decent reviews.

Temp Controller

And the 120/100 deg model would have been great in the attic this Summer

[holdem]

Insulate pump house, insulate pipes, 100 watt bulb

[Reaper]

Insulate pump house, insulate pipes, 100 watt bulb

yes yes yes

[Roscoe]

Yeah, you have to remember that you are not looking/needing to keep the pump house "warm"... just somewhere above 32*.

[Snakelover]

Brooder lamp. See "frequently bought together" at this link...

http://www.amazon.com/Designers-Edge-Incandescent-Brooder-Light/dp/B000E8OTTQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322497703&sr=8-1

The key is the thermostatically controlled outlet. Automatically turns on when the temps get down to 35 degrees and then turns off when the temp gets up to 45 degrees.