How much does it cost to run a pool heat pump?
A pool heat pump costs about 59¢ per hour, $4.75 a day, $145 a month and $723 a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Pool heat pumps draw 4-7 kW and deliver 4-6 times that in heat, but heating a pool still takes a lot of energy; using a solar cover is the biggest savings.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 3.30 | 59¢ | $18.07 | $217 |
| 2 hours | 6.60 | $1.19 | $36.14 | $434 |
| 4 hours | 13.20 | $2.37 | $72.28 | $867 |
| 8 hours | 26.40 | $4.75 | $145 | $1,735 |
| 12 hours | 39.60 | $7.12 | $217 | $2,602 |
| 24 hours | 79.20 | $14.25 | $434 | $5,204 |
Cost to run a pool heat pump in every state
The same pool heat pump costs $495 a year in North Dakota and $1,748 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¢ | 41¢ | $99.00 | $495 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 42¢ | $102 | $508 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 42¢ | $103 | $517 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 43¢ | $104 | $522 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 44¢ | $107 | $535 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 44¢ | $107 | $537 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 44¢ | $108 | $540 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 45¢ | $109 | $545 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 45¢ | $110 | $550 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 46¢ | $111 | $556 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 46¢ | $112 | $559 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 46¢ | $112 | $560 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 46¢ | $113 | $563 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 47¢ | $113 | $567 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 47¢ | $114 | $568 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 47¢ | $114 | $571 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 49¢ | $119 | $593 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 49¢ | $119 | $593 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 50¢ | $121 | $606 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 50¢ | $121 | $607 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 51¢ | $123 | $616 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 51¢ | $124 | $618 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 51¢ | $124 | $619 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 51¢ | $124 | $622 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 51¢ | $125 | $623 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 52¢ | $126 | $628 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 53¢ | $128 | $641 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 54¢ | $130 | $652 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 54¢ | $132 | $661 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 54¢ | $132 | $662 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 55¢ | $133 | $666 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 56¢ | $136 | $681 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 59¢ | $143 | $715 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 60¢ | $147 | $733 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 62¢ | $151 | $753 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 62¢ | $151 | $755 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 68¢ | $166 | $832 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 69¢ | $169 | $845 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 69¢ | $169 | $846 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 78¢ | $191 | $955 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 79¢ | $191 | $956 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 80¢ | $194 | $972 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 88¢ | $214 | $1,072 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 89¢ | $216 | $1,079 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 92¢ | $225 | $1,125 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 94¢ | $228 | $1,141 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 97¢ | $235 | $1,176 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 97¢ | $236 | $1,178 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | $1.00 | $245 | $1,223 |
| California | 32.99¢ | $1.09 | $265 | $1,325 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $1.44 | $350 | $1,748 |
How to cut the cost
- Cover the pool with a solar cover when not in use; it can cut heating costs 50-70%.
- Set the target to 78-80°F; each degree higher adds 10-30% to heating cost.
- Run the heater during the warmest part of the day when the heat pump is most efficient.
- Don't heat the pool when it won't be used for a week or more.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Stops evaporation, the main way pools lose heat.
See options on AmazonFree heat from the sun using the existing pump.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pool heat pump | 5,500 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $145 | $723 |
| Pool pump (single-speed) | 1,700 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $74.47 | $372 |
| Variable-speed pool pump | 350 | 12 hours a day for 5 months a year | $23.00 | $115 |
| Hot tub | 4,000 | 3,000 kWh a year | $44.97 | $540 |
| Inflatable hot tub | 2,000 | 24 hours a day for 6 months a year | $91.99 | $552 |
| Robotic pool cleaner | 180 | 2.5 hours a day, 3 days a week for 5 months a year | $1.06 | $5 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a pool heat pump per hour?
A pool heat pump drawing 5,500 watts uses 3.30 kWh per hour while running (60% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 59¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 41¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's $1.44.
How much does it cost to run a pool heat pump per month?
At typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year), a pool heat pump costs about $145 a month while in use and $723 a year over the 5 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 pool heat pump use?
Most pool heat pumps use 3,000 to 7,500 watts. Starting surge can reach 12,000 W. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a pool heat pump use?
About 26.40 kWh a day and 4,018 kWh a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year).
Does a pool heat pump use a lot of electricity?
Yes. At 4,018 kWh a year it's one of the bigger loads in a home, about 38% of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh a year.
Is it cheaper to run a pool heat pump or a pool pump (single-speed)?
At typical use, a pool heat pump costs about $723 a year versus $372 for a pool pump (single-speed). So the pool pump (single-speed) is cheaper by about $350 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a pool heat pump?
- Cover the pool with a solar cover when not in use; it can cut heating costs 50-70%.
- Set the target to 78-80°F; each degree higher adds 10-30% to heating cost.
- Run the heater during the warmest part of the day when the heat pump is most efficient.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.