How much does it cost to run a pet water fountain?
A pet water fountain costs about 0.04¢ per hour, 0.9¢ a day, $0.26 a month and $3 a year at typical use (24 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Pet fountains run tiny 1-3 W pumps around the clock, about 17 kWh a year. Heated outdoor bowls draw 25-60 W on a thermostat.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pet fountain | 2 | 0.04¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Heated outdoor bowl | 40 | 0.7¢ | 17¢ | $5.26 | $63 |
At 24 hours a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.00 | 0.04¢ | $0.01 | $0 |
| 2 hours | 0.00 | 0.07¢ | $0.02 | $0 |
| 4 hours | 0.01 | 0.1¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| 8 hours | 0.02 | 0.3¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| 12 hours | 0.02 | 0.4¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| 24 hours | 0.05 | 0.9¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
Cost to run a pet water fountain in every state
The same pet water fountain costs $2 a year in North Dakota and $8 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.21 | $2 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.21 | $2 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.21 | $2 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.30 | $4 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.41 | $5 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.41 | $5 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 0.09¢ | $0.64 | $8 |
How to cut the cost
- Clean the pump every 2-4 weeks to keep it efficient and quiet.
- Pick a model with a low-voltage pump (USB powered).
- Use thermostatic heated bowls only in freezing weather.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Motion-activated pumps run only when the pet drinks.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pet water fountain | 2 | 24 hours a day | $0.26 | $3 |
| Heated pet bed | 6 | 24 hours a day for 7 months a year | $0.79 | $6 |
| Aquarium | 135 | 24 hours a day | $6.39 | $77 |
| Under-tank heater | 20 | 24 hours a day | $1.84 | $22 |
| Aquarium heater | 100 | 24 hours a day | $3.94 | $47 |
| Reptile heat lamp | 100 | 12 hours a day | $6.57 | $79 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a pet water fountain per hour?
A pet water fountain drawing 2 watts uses 0.00 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.04¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.02¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 0.09¢.
How much does it cost to run a pet water fountain per month?
At typical use (24 hours a day), a pet water fountain costs about $0.26 a month and $3 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a pet water fountain use?
Most pet water fountains use 1 to 60 watts, depending on the setting (pet fountain 2 W, heated outdoor bowl 40 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a pet water fountain use?
About 0.05 kWh a day and 18 kWh a year at typical use (24 hours a day).
Does a pet water fountain use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 18 kWh a year it's a small share (0.2%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a pet water fountain or a heated pet bed?
At typical use, a pet water fountain costs about $3 a year versus $6 for a heated pet bed. So the pet water fountain is cheaper by about $2 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a pet water fountain?
- Clean the pump every 2-4 weeks to keep it efficient and quiet.
- Pick a model with a low-voltage pump (USB powered).
- Use thermostatic heated bowls only in freezing weather.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.