How much does it cost to run a pond pump?
A pond pump costs about 1.8¢ per hour, 43¢ a day, $13.14 a month and $92 a year at typical use (24 hours a day for 7 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Pond pumps run around the clock; a 100 W pump uses about 500 kWh in a 7-month season.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small fountain | 30 | 0.5¢ | 13¢ | $3.94 | $28 |
| Typical pond | 100 | 1.8¢ | 43¢ | $13.14 | $92 |
| Waterfall / koi pond | 300 | 5.4¢ | $1.30 | $39.43 | $276 |
At 24 hours a day for 7 months a year and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.10 | 1.8¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| 2 hours | 0.20 | 3.6¢ | $1.10 | $13 |
| 4 hours | 0.40 | 7.2¢ | $2.19 | $26 |
| 8 hours | 0.80 | 14¢ | $4.38 | $53 |
| 12 hours | 1.20 | 22¢ | $6.57 | $79 |
| 24 hours | 2.40 | 43¢ | $13.14 | $158 |
Cost to run a pond pump in every state
The same pond pump costs $63 a year in North Dakota and $222 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¢ | 1.2¢ | $9.00 | $63 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 1.3¢ | $9.24 | $65 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 1.3¢ | $9.39 | $66 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 1.3¢ | $9.49 | $66 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 1.3¢ | $9.73 | $68 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 1.3¢ | $9.76 | $68 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 1.3¢ | $9.81 | $69 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 1.4¢ | $9.91 | $69 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 1.4¢ | $10.01 | $70 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 1.4¢ | $10.11 | $71 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 1.4¢ | $10.17 | $71 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 1.4¢ | $10.19 | $71 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 1.4¢ | $10.23 | $72 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 1.4¢ | $10.31 | $72 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 1.4¢ | $10.32 | $72 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 1.4¢ | $10.37 | $73 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 1.5¢ | $10.79 | $76 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 1.5¢ | $10.79 | $76 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 1.5¢ | $11.02 | $77 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 1.5¢ | $11.05 | $77 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 1.5¢ | $11.19 | $78 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 1.5¢ | $11.24 | $79 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 1.5¢ | $11.25 | $79 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 1.5¢ | $11.31 | $79 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 1.6¢ | $11.32 | $79 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 1.6¢ | $11.43 | $80 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 1.6¢ | $11.66 | $82 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 1.6¢ | $11.85 | $83 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 1.6¢ | $12.01 | $84 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 1.6¢ | $12.04 | $84 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 1.7¢ | $12.11 | $85 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 1.7¢ | $12.37 | $87 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 1.8¢ | $13.00 | $91 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 1.8¢ | $13.33 | $93 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 1.9¢ | $13.69 | $96 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 1.9¢ | $13.73 | $96 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 2.1¢ | $15.12 | $106 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 2.1¢ | $15.36 | $108 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 2.1¢ | $15.38 | $108 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 2.4¢ | $17.37 | $122 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 2.4¢ | $17.39 | $122 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 2.4¢ | $17.68 | $124 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 2.7¢ | $19.48 | $136 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 2.7¢ | $19.61 | $137 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 2.8¢ | $20.45 | $143 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 2.8¢ | $20.74 | $145 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 2.9¢ | $21.38 | $150 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 2.9¢ | $21.41 | $150 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 3.0¢ | $22.23 | $156 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 3.3¢ | $24.10 | $169 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 4.4¢ | $31.78 | $222 |
How to cut the cost
- Choose a pump sized to turn over the pond volume once per hour, not more.
- Run waterfalls on a timer for daytime hours only if fish don't need it.
- Clean the pump intake screen monthly to keep flow up.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Magnetic-drive and ECM pumps move more water per watt.
See options on AmazonRuns small fountains with no grid power.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pond pump | 100 | 24 hours a day for 7 months a year | $13.14 | $92 |
| Aquarium | 135 | 24 hours a day | $6.39 | $77 |
| Pool pump (single-speed) | 1,700 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $74.47 | $372 |
| Battery lawn mower | 300 | 1.5 hours a day, 1 days a week for 7 months a year | $0.48 | $3 |
| Robotic lawn mower | 30 | 8 hours a day for 7 months a year | $1.31 | $9 |
| String trimmer | 500 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 7 months a year | $0.20 | $1 |
| Hedge trimmer | 500 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 5 months a year | $0.20 | $1 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a pond pump per hour?
A pond pump drawing 100 watts uses 0.10 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 1.8¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 1.2¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 4.4¢.
How much does it cost to run a pond pump per month?
At typical use (24 hours a day for 7 months a year), a pond pump costs about $13.14 a month while in use and $92 a year over the 7 months it's typically used, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a pond pump use?
Most pond pumps use 20 to 400 watts, depending on the setting (small fountain 30 W, typical pond 100 W, waterfall / koi pond 300 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a pond pump use?
About 2.40 kWh a day and 511 kWh a year at typical use (24 hours a day for 7 months a year).
Does a pond pump use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 511 kWh a year is about 5% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a pond pump or an aquarium?
At typical use, a pond pump costs about $92 a year versus $77 for an aquarium. So the aquarium is cheaper by about $15 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a pond pump?
- Choose a pump sized to turn over the pond volume once per hour, not more.
- Run waterfalls on a timer for daytime hours only if fish don't need it.
- Clean the pump intake screen monthly to keep flow up.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.