Superior Pump 92250 1/4 HP Sump Pump Review
Superior Pump’s model 92250 is a great sump pump if you’re looking for a model that is both affordable and effective. Like most 1/4HP sump pumps, this pump is designed to serve in a residential sump pump pit, striking a good balance between pumping power and energy consumption.
Don’t be fooled by its cheap appearance: the casing is made of durable thermoplastic and can handle water temperatures of up to 120 Fahrenheit (48.8 Celsius). Moreover, the SP92250 ¼ HP is capable of pumping the water up to 25 feet, which is on the higher end of most domestic sump pumps.
At a maximum rate of 1800 gallons per hour, it pumps slightly less water than 1/4HP sump pumps of other brands (like the Zoeller M49 or the Liberty Pumps 247). But if a small difference in GPH is not a deal breaker, you might still want to buy the Superior Pump 92250, as it is cheaper than both of these competing pumps.
Table of Contents
Performance and Usage
Homeowners who have a constant inflow of water in their basement are often tempted to purchase a sump pump with ½, 1 or even 2 horsepower. This is more often than not unnecessary and wastes energy. A continuously rising water level requires a sump pump that is designed for continuous duty, and Superior Pumps’ 92250 model is exactly that. Despite its mere ¼ horsepower, this should be plenty for most situations. Only when you’re likely to be confronted with a sudden, rapid rise of the water level in your neighbourhood, e.g. during storms, does it become paramount to buy a sump pump that can pump out water at a quicker rate. The motor is thermally protected so even at continuous duty overheating should not be an issue.
Discharging and clogging
The 92250 gives you the option to increase the discharge size from 1-1/4″ up to 1-½, to discharge water at an even higher capacity. If you often find yourself in the situation where small stones end up in your sump pit, this model has also got you covered as it can handle solids of up to ⅛ inches in diameter.
Still, this model is not advertised as an anti-clog sump pump, so if clogging is a real issue, I suggest that you either filter the water coming into your sump pit, or take a look at Superior Pump’s model 92151 instead.
This sump pump attains its best performance in sump pits with a diameter of 14 inches and no battery is required for it to run.
As any sump pump, it works most efficiently when you install a check valve to prevent water from flowing back in after it has been pumped out. This also helps to extend the lifetime of your sump pump. Check valves are never included when you purchase a sump pump, so make sure you buy one to go with your sump pump installation.
Using the 92250 as a utility pump
A nice additional feature of this sump pump is that it can be used as a utility pump. Normally, the sump pump starts running when it is triggered by its tethered float switch. But the float switch of the model 92250 has explicitly been constructed such that the switch can easily be removed, so that it can run at your leisure.
Keep in mind, though, never to let a sump pump run dry as this ages it at a rapid rate.
Our Review of the SP 92250
With the 92250, Superior Pump has made an excellent product that will prove homeowners a service in normal environmental conditions. The model has been in production since 2013 and has proven its worth every year since then. With its ¼ HP, It’s one of the more energy efficient sump pumps on the market that still have a good output. It’s also a sump pump that is appropriate for hotter climates, although if you’re looking for a sump pump that can pump extremely hot water, Superior Pump’s model 92301 is better equipped for that, as that model trumps the 92250’s maximum water temperature of 120 Fahrenheit with an impressive 180F.
The biggest drawback I can find is its 1-year warranty. It’s better than nothing, but I would have liked to see two years here; which is definitely attainable considering this sturdy pump’s track record. Nevertheless, its price is undeniably good, and might well compensate for the relatively short warranty even if it needs to be replaced, as it is much cheaper to replace than many similar sump pumps. Moreover, many owners of the 92250 report that it’s been working like a charm for years now. Some models that have been purchased in 2013, its first year of production, are still running strong up to the very present.
Specifications
Here you can find the technical specifications of the Sump Pump 92250 1/4HP, such as its gallons per hour at different heights, its voltage and ampère, as well as its warranty and manual.
| Name | Superior Pump 92250 1/4 HP |
|---|---|
| H/P | 1/4 |
| Maximum gallons per hour | 1800 |
| Solids handling, diameter (inches) | 1/8 |
| GPH 0 | 1800 |
| GPH 5 | 1320 |
| GPH 10 | 1200 |
| GPH 15 | 960 |
| GPH 20 | 540 |
| GPH 25 | 120 |
| Battery included | No |
| Battery required to run | No |
| Housing material | Thermoplastic |
| Base material | Thermoplastic |
| Impeller material | Thermoplastic |
| Switch Type | Tethered |
| Warranty yes/no | Yes |
| Warranty years | 1 |
| Link to warranty | Link |
| Link to manual | Link |
| Voltage | 120 |
| First year of production | 2013 |
| Is discontinued? | No |
| Running Amps | 3.82 |
| Cord Length (feet) | 10 |
| Discharge size (inches) | 1-1/4 or 1-1/2 |
| Discharge type | Top |
| No-clog design | No |
| Switch On Point (inches) | 9 |
| Switch Off Point (inches) | 4 |
| Pumps Down To (Ft) | 25 |
| Liquid Temperature Minumum (F) | 32 |
| Liquid Temperature Maximum (F) | 120 |
| Motor: Continuous duty | Yes |
| Motor thermally protected? | Yes |
| Capacitor start motor | Yes |
| Requires check valve? | Yes |
| Check valve included? | No |
| Sump Pit diameter required (inches) | 14 |
| Circuit requirement (Ampere) | 15 |
