How much does it cost to run a pool pump?
Short answer: A pool pump drawing 1,500 watts costs about $0.27 per hour at the U.S. average residential price of 18.31¢ per kWh. Used 8 hours a day, 30 days a month, that is about $65.92 per month and $790.99 per year. In Louisiana, the cheapest state, the same use costs $45.79 a month; in Hawaii, the most expensive, $172.80.
Pool pump cost calculator
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Hours per day the pump runs. Eight hours is common for a single-speed pump in summer.
Uses 360.0 kWh per month. The starting price is the U.S. residential average; choose your state or type the price from your own bill.
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| Appliance | Usage | Per month | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | |||
| Per year |
A pool pump is often the largest electricity user in a home that has one. A single-speed 1-horsepower pump draws around 1,500 watts and typically runs eight hours a day through the swimming season.
Cost by size and setting
Costs below use the U.S. average price and 8 hours a day, 30 days a month.
| Type | Power | Per hour | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Variable-speed pump on low | 300 W | $0.05 | $13.18 |
| Single-speed 1 hp pump | 1,500 W | $0.27 | $65.92 |
| Single-speed 2 hp pump | 2,400 W | $0.44 | $105.47 |
Why speed matters so much
The energy a pump uses falls steeply as it slows. ENERGY STAR explains that reducing pump speed by half lets the pump use just one eighth as much energy. A variable-speed pump takes advantage of this by running slowly for longer: it moves the same water through the filter over the day on a fraction of the electricity.
This is why a variable-speed pump is one of the few efficiency upgrades with a short payback. In states with high electricity prices the saving can cover the purchase cost within a couple of seasons.
How long it needs to run
Many pumps run longer than necessary. The goal is to pass the pool's full volume through the filter about once a day. ENERGY STAR notes that a timer can cut energy use substantially by running filtration for around six hours a day instead of continuously.
How to lower the cost
- Put the pump on a timer and trim the run time until the water stays clear.
- Run it during off-peak hours if you are on a time-of-use rate.
- Clean the skimmer and pump baskets so water flows freely.
- Consider a variable-speed replacement when the old pump fails.
How a pool pump compares with other appliances
Typical power and use for each appliance, at the U.S. average price of 18.31¢ per kWh. Follow a link for that appliance's own calculator, or compare two side by side.
| Appliance | Power | Typical use | Energy per month | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pool pump | 1,500 W | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | 360.0 kWh | $65.92 |
| Hot tub | 1,500 W | 4 hours a day, 30 days a month | 180.0 kWh | $32.96 |
| Central air conditioner | 3,500 W | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | 840.0 kWh | $153.80 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500 W | 3 hours a day, 30 days a month | 405.0 kWh | $74.16 |
| Electric car charger | 7,200 W | 1.5 hours a day, 30 days a month | 324.0 kWh | $59.32 |
The math behind the numbers
1,500 watts ÷ 1,000 = 1.5 kW. 1.5 kW × 8 hours = 12 kWh per day. 12 kWh × $0.1831 = $2.20 per day. Over 30 days that is 360.0 kWh and $65.92 a month.
Your own figure will differ if your appliance has a different wattage, if you use it more or less, or if your price per kWh is not the national average. Change any of those in the calculator at the top of this page. Our step-by-step guide explains where to find each number.
Cost to run a pool pump in every state
Based on 1,500 watts for 8 hours a day, 30 days a month, at each state's average residential electricity price for July 2026.
| State | Price per kWh | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.40¢ | $0.25 | $59.04 | $708.48 |
| Alaska | 28.83¢ | $0.43 | $103.79 | $1,245 |
| Arizona | 15.38¢ | $0.23 | $55.37 | $664.42 |
| Arkansas | 14.33¢ | $0.21 | $51.59 | $619.06 |
| California | 33.61¢ | $0.50 | $121.00 | $1,452 |
| Colorado | 17.00¢ | $0.26 | $61.20 | $734.40 |
| Connecticut | 24.16¢ | $0.36 | $86.98 | $1,044 |
| Delaware | 18.48¢ | $0.28 | $66.53 | $798.34 |
| District of Columbia | 25.21¢ | $0.38 | $90.76 | $1,089 |
| Florida | 15.03¢ | $0.23 | $54.11 | $649.30 |
| Georgia | 16.27¢ | $0.24 | $58.57 | $702.86 |
| Hawaii | 48.00¢ | $0.72 | $172.80 | $2,074 |
| Idaho | 13.73¢ | $0.21 | $49.43 | $593.14 |
| Illinois | 19.22¢ | $0.29 | $69.19 | $830.30 |
| Indiana | 16.73¢ | $0.25 | $60.23 | $722.74 |
| Iowa | 15.99¢ | $0.24 | $57.56 | $690.77 |
| Kansas | 15.27¢ | $0.23 | $54.97 | $659.66 |
| Kentucky | 13.81¢ | $0.21 | $49.72 | $596.59 |
| Louisiana | 12.72¢ | $0.19 | $45.79 | $549.50 |
| Maine | 32.41¢ | $0.49 | $116.68 | $1,400 |
| Maryland | 21.41¢ | $0.32 | $77.08 | $924.91 |
| Massachusetts | 30.49¢ | $0.46 | $109.76 | $1,317 |
| Michigan | 23.05¢ | $0.35 | $82.98 | $995.76 |
| Minnesota | 17.45¢ | $0.26 | $62.82 | $753.84 |
| Mississippi | 14.54¢ | $0.22 | $52.34 | $628.13 |
| Missouri | 16.09¢ | $0.24 | $57.92 | $695.09 |
| Montana | 14.99¢ | $0.22 | $53.96 | $647.57 |
| Nebraska | 13.78¢ | $0.21 | $49.61 | $595.30 |
| Nevada | 12.77¢ | $0.19 | $45.97 | $551.66 |
| New Hampshire | 26.60¢ | $0.40 | $95.76 | $1,149 |
| New Jersey | 25.19¢ | $0.38 | $90.68 | $1,088 |
| New Mexico | 16.09¢ | $0.24 | $57.92 | $695.09 |
| New York | 29.90¢ | $0.45 | $107.64 | $1,292 |
| North Carolina | 15.16¢ | $0.23 | $54.58 | $654.91 |
| North Dakota | 13.41¢ | $0.20 | $48.28 | $579.31 |
| Ohio | 19.45¢ | $0.29 | $70.02 | $840.24 |
| Oklahoma | 14.35¢ | $0.22 | $51.66 | $619.92 |
| Oregon | 15.97¢ | $0.24 | $57.49 | $689.90 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.72¢ | $0.33 | $78.19 | $938.30 |
| Rhode Island | 28.29¢ | $0.42 | $101.84 | $1,222 |
| South Carolina | 15.47¢ | $0.23 | $55.69 | $668.30 |
| South Dakota | 15.37¢ | $0.23 | $55.33 | $663.98 |
| Tennessee | 13.71¢ | $0.21 | $49.36 | $592.27 |
| Texas | 15.88¢ | $0.24 | $57.17 | $686.02 |
| Utah | 13.12¢ | $0.20 | $47.23 | $566.78 |
| Vermont | 23.75¢ | $0.36 | $85.50 | $1,026 |
| Virginia | 17.55¢ | $0.26 | $63.18 | $758.16 |
| Washington | 14.71¢ | $0.22 | $52.96 | $635.47 |
| West Virginia | 15.78¢ | $0.24 | $56.81 | $681.70 |
| Wisconsin | 19.06¢ | $0.29 | $68.62 | $823.39 |
| Wyoming | 14.36¢ | $0.22 | $51.70 | $620.35 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pool pump cost to run per month?
A 1,500-watt pump running 8 hours a day uses about 360 kWh a month, or roughly $65.92 at the U.S. average electricity price.
Do variable-speed pool pumps really save money?
Yes. Halving the speed cuts the energy use to about one eighth, so running slower for longer filters the same water for far less.
How many hours a day should a pool pump run?
Long enough to filter the full pool volume about once a day. For many pools that is six to eight hours with a single-speed pump.
Sources
- ENERGY STAR: Pool Pumps
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly (state electricity prices)
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver: Appliances and Electronics
Electricity prices are the EIA figures for July 2026. Wattages are typical values; check the label on your own appliance.