WattCost

Data through April 2026

Calculator · wattage estimate

Pool Pump running cost calculator

These are estimates, not certified measurements.

Wattages reflect measured operating points from the ENERGY STAR certified pool pump dataset (certification covers pumping efficiency, gal/Wh — annual kWh depends entirely on your run schedule).

Pool pumps are one of the biggest hidden loads in a home — a single-speed pump on a long schedule can out-consume a refrigerator several times over. Variable-speed models running slower for longer cut the bill dramatically.

Calculator

Estimate — watts × hours × your rate

Per day
$2.26
Per month
$68.73
Per year
$825

1,500 W × 8 h/day × 365 ÷ 1,000 = 4,380 kWh/yr × 18.8¢ = $825/yr

Eight hours a day is a common turnover schedule for residential pools in season.

Typical wattages

SettingWatts
Variable-speed, low (400 W)400
Variable-speed, mid (1,100 W)1,100
Single-speed 1.5 HP (1,900 W)1,900

Estimated annual cost by state

Assuming 1500 W for 8 h/day, every day — adjust in the calculator above
StateRate ¢/kWhEst. $/yrRelative cost
Alabama17.4¢$763
Alaska27.4¢$1,198
Arizona15.5¢$678
Arkansas14.2¢$620
California35.3¢$1,544
Colorado16.5¢$724
Connecticut32.2¢$1,412
Delaware18.8¢$823
District of Columbia25.4¢$1,113
Florida15.4¢$674
Georgia15.4¢$673
Hawaiipriciest46.6¢$2,042
Idaho12.7¢$556
Illinois20.5¢$897
Indiana17.9¢$784
Iowa13.9¢$607
Kansas15.8¢$691
Kentucky15.0¢$658
Louisiana14.4¢$632
Maine28.4¢$1,245
Maryland22.1¢$967
Massachusetts29.4¢$1,290
Michigan21.4¢$937
Minnesota16.4¢$718
Mississippi16.8¢$734
Missouri14.0¢$614
Montana13.9¢$609
Nebraska13.3¢$582
Nevada14.3¢$626
New Hampshire27.2¢$1,193
New Jersey23.5¢$1,031
New Mexico15.2¢$664
New York29.4¢$1,290
North Carolina16.3¢$712
North Dakotacheapest12.3¢$541
Ohio19.5¢$854
Oklahoma13.3¢$583
Oregon15.8¢$691
Pennsylvania21.5¢$940
Rhode Island28.3¢$1,240
South Carolina17.1¢$747
South Dakota14.5¢$636
Tennessee14.9¢$654
Texas17.0¢$744
Utah13.3¢$582
Vermont24.6¢$1,076
Virginia17.4¢$761
Washington14.4¢$629
West Virginia16.1¢$703
Wisconsin19.2¢$841
Wyoming14.7¢$643

Questions, answered with the data

How much does a pool pump cost per hour?
At a typical 1500 W draw and the U.S. average rate of 18.8¢/kWh, about 28.2¢ an hour. That ranges from 18.5¢ in North Dakota to 69.9¢ in Hawaii.
What does 8 hours a day add up to?
1500 W × 8 h/day comes to about $68.73 a month ($825 a year) at the U.S. average rate. Eight hours a day is a common turnover schedule for residential pools in season.
Why is this an estimate instead of certified data?
Wattages reflect measured operating points from the ENERGY STAR certified pool pump dataset (certification covers pumping efficiency, gal/Wh — annual kWh depends entirely on your run schedule).

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