Cost to run

How much does a pool pump cost to run?

A pool pump is one of the few appliances that runs at full power for scheduled hours every day, which is why it often ranks among a home's top three electricity loads in swim season.

Reviewed 2026-07-15 · methodology appliance-energy-1.0.0 · data vintage 2026-04-ytd

Example costs using the Texas state-average rate

These are generated examples for a consistent location. Enter your own ZIP and usage below for a more relevant state-average estimate.

Scenario	Assumption	kWh/month	Monthly range	Most likely/year
Variable-speed pump	10 hours a day at low-speed average draw	120.00	$12.78–$28.53	$234.77
Single-speed pump	8 hours a day at full draw	264.00	$28.12–$62.76	$516.49
Peak season, big pump	12 hours a day on a 1.5-HP pump	576.00	$61.35–$136.93	$1,126.89

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.B. Data vintage 2026-04-ytd. State-average pricing is not your exact utility tariff.

Calculate your own usage

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ApplianceHow manyHours used per day (optional)

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Rated watts (from the appliance label)Duty cycle (0–1; share of time drawing full power)Days per month

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Scheduled full-power hours add up fast

Unlike thermostat-cycled appliances, a single-speed pump draws its full rating every scheduled minute. Eight daily hours at a kilowatt-plus lands in the hundreds of kilowatt-hours each month, visible on any bill.

Variable-speed pumps rewrite the equation

Pump power falls with the cube of motor speed, so circulating water twice as long at half speed uses roughly a quarter of the energy. That physics is why variable-speed upgrades routinely pay for themselves and are now required by efficiency rules in several regions.

Turnover needs, not habit, should set hours

Runtime should circulate the pool's volume adequately for sanitation — commonly one to two turnovers daily — rather than follow an inherited timer setting. Heaters, cleaners, and salt systems draw separately from the pump modeled here.

Frequently asked questions

How many hours a day should a pool pump run?

Enough to filter the water volume once or twice, which depends on pool size and flow rate. Many pools are over-circulated, wasting the difference.

Is a variable-speed pump worth the upgrade cost?

The cube law makes low-speed circulation dramatically cheaper, and the engine-calculated gap between the first two scenarios shows the annualized stakes at your rate.

Does running the pump at night save money?

Under the flat state-average rate modeled here, timing changes nothing. On time-of-use tariffs, night schedules can cut real bills — a feature this model does not price.

Related appliance cost guides

Compare all published appliances · Electricity rates in your state · Read the methodology · Review the data sources