How Much Does It Cost to Run a pool pump?
A typical pool pump uses about 1,500 watts, which costs about $0.27 per hour. Used 8 hours a day, that is $2.16 per day, $66 per month and about $788 per year at the US average of about 18 cents per kWh. Change the numbers below for your own model and rate.
Typical estimate: 8 hours a day during pool season. These are typical estimates – check your own label or use a plug-in meter for exact figures.
Pool pump running cost by electricity rate
Rates vary widely across the country. $0.12 is typical of low-cost areas, $0.18 is about the national average, and $0.25–$0.35 or more is common in high-cost areas such as parts of California, New England and Hawaii.
| Rate per kWh | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.12 | $0.180 | $1.44 | $43.80 | $526 |
| $0.18 | $0.270 | $2.16 | $65.71 | $788 |
| $0.25 | $0.375 | $3.00 | $91.26 | $1,095 |
| $0.35 | $0.525 | $4.20 | $127.76 | $1,533 |
Based on 1,500 W for 8 h/day; month = 30.42 days.
Cost by hours of use per day
| Hours per day | kWh per month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 h | 274 | $1.62 | $49.28 | $591 |
| 8 h | 365 | $2.16 | $65.71 | $788 |
| 12 h | 548 | $3.24 | $98.56 | $1,183 |
At 18 cents per kWh and 1,500 W.
Low, typical and high wattage
A single-speed 1.5 hp pump typically draws about 1,500 W, whereas a variable-speed pump on low can draw 300 W or less.
| Case | Watts | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 300 | $0.054 | $13.14 | $158 |
| Typical | 1,500 | $0.270 | $65.71 | $788 |
| High | 2,000 | $0.360 | $87.61 | $1,051 |
At 8 h/day and 18 cents per kWh.
How it is calculated
1,500 W × 8 h ÷ 1,000 = 12 kWh per day
12 kWh × $0.18 = $2.16 per day
$2.16 × 30.42 days = $65.71 per month
How to cut the cost of running a pool pump
- Variable-speed pumps are often the biggest savings in a pool: ENERGY STAR says running a pump at half speed lets it use about one-eighth as much energy, so a long, slow run costs far less than a short, fast one.
- Run the pump only as many hours as the pool needs to circulate and filter – fewer in cooler weather, more in hot weather.
- Run the pump off-peak if your utility has time-of-use rates, and keep the skimmer and pump baskets clean to cut resistance.
- Backwash or clean the filter when the pressure gauge rises well above its clean reading (check your manual for the limit); a clogged filter makes the pump work harder for less flow.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a pool pump per month?
At 18 cents per kWh, a typical 1,500 W pool pump used 8 hours a day costs about $65.71 per month (365 kWh). That is about $788 a year.
How much does it cost to run a pool pump per hour?
About $0.270 per hour at 18 cents per kWh, or $0.525 per hour if you pay 35 cents per kWh. Multiply by your hours of use to estimate any day.
Why does the cost of a pool pump vary so much?
Wattage varies by model and setting – from 300 W to 2,000 W here. At the same 8 hours a day and 18 cents per kWh, that is $13 to $88 per month. Your electricity rate matters just as much: at 35 cents per kWh the typical unit costs $128 per month.