Sump pump vs. well pump: running cost
A sump pump is cheaper to run: about $16 a year versus $92 for a well pump at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $76 difference.
| Sump pump | Well pump | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 800 W | 1,400 W |
| Watt range | 400–1,300 W | 800–2,500 W |
| Typical use | 18 minutes a day | 1 hour a day |
| Energy per year | 88 kWh | 511 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 14¢ | 25¢ |
| Cost per day | 4.3¢ | 25¢ |
| Cost per month | $1.31 | $7.67 |
| Cost per year | $16 | $92 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $38 | $222 |
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What drives the difference
- Sump pump: A 1/3 hp sump pump draws about 700-900 W while pumping; run time varies hugely with groundwater, from near zero to several hours a day in spring.
- Well pump: A 3/4 hp submersible well pump draws about 1,200-1,500 W; a household using 300 gallons a day at 8-10 gpm runs it about 30-60 minutes a day, or roughly 400-700 kWh a year.
Ways to cut either cost
Protects the basement during outages.
See options on AmazonDiverting roof water away cuts how often the pump runs.
See options on AmazonFewer, longer pump cycles reduce start-up energy and wear.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a sump pump or a well pump?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a well pump costs about $92 a year versus $16 for a sump pump. That's $76 more, or 5.8× as much.
How many watts do sump pump and well pump use?
A sump pump typically draws 800 W (range 400–1,300 W). A well pump draws 1,400 W (range 800–2,500 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.