Water pressure booster pump vs. well pump: running cost
A water pressure booster pump is cheaper to run: about $34 a year versus $92 for a well pump at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $57 difference.
| Water pressure booster pump | Well pump | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 700 W | 1,400 W |
| Watt range | 300–1,200 W | 800–2,500 W |
| Typical use | 45 minutes a day | 1 hour a day |
| Energy per year | 192 kWh | 511 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 13¢ | 25¢ |
| Cost per day | 9.4¢ | 25¢ |
| Cost per month | $2.87 | $7.67 |
| Cost per year | $34 | $92 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $83 | $222 |
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What drives the difference
- Water pressure booster pump: Residential booster pumps draw about 500-1,000 W while running, only when water is being drawn.
- 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
Matches motor speed to demand, often using 30-50% less than on/off pumps.
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 water pressure booster 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 $34 for a water pressure booster pump. That's $57 more, or 2.7× as much.
How many watts do water pressure booster pump and well pump use?
A water pressure booster pump typically draws 700 W (range 300–1,200 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.