Pool Pump Electricity Cost Calculator

Find out what your pool pump costs to run, and see what a slower, variable-speed pump could save. Check your own pump label and electric bill. The starting values are examples only.

How we calculate this

1. Energy used (kWh) = watts divided by 1,000 x hours per day x number of days.
2. Cost = kWh x your price per kWh.
3. Yearly cost uses 365 days and monthly cost uses 30.4 days.

Worked example

A 1,500 watt pump run 8 hours a day uses 1.5 x 8 = 12 kWh a day. At 17.3 cents per kWh that is about $2.08 a day, $62 over 30 days and $758 over a year. A variable-speed pump that averages 350 watts for 12 hours a day uses 4.2 kWh a day, or about $265 a year.

Why slower pumps can save so much

A pump moving water at half speed uses far less than half the power. ENERGY STAR notes that reducing pump speed by one-half allows the pump to use just one-eighth as much energy. A conventional single-speed pump runs at its higher cleaning speed even when it is only filtering, which wastes energy. A pump that can run at different speeds can use a low speed for filtering. Real savings depend on your pool, plumbing and the pump model, so use the spec sheet for the speed you plan to run, and make sure the water is still filtered and circulated enough for your pool.

What this tool does not cover

• The cost of buying and installing a new pump, and any utility rebates.
• Heaters, cleaners, lights and other pool equipment.
• Rates that change by time of day or by how much you use. Use an average rate or the rate you pay for the hours the pump runs.
• Whether your pool gets enough filtration. Ask a pool professional or follow local rules.

Sources and further reading

• ENERGY STAR: Pool pumps. How variable-speed pumps work and the half-speed, one-eighth-energy example.
• U.S. Department of Energy, Building America: Measure Guideline, Replacing Single-Speed Pool Pumps with Variable Speed Pumps.
• U.S. Energy Information Administration: Factors affecting electricity prices. Average residential price of 17.30 cents per kWh in 2025 (preliminary).

Related tools: Pool shock calculator and Pool yearly cost planner.

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026. This calculator gives estimates only and is not professional advice.