How much does it cost to run a pool pump (single-speed)?
A pool pump (single-speed) costs about 31¢ per hour, $2.45 a day, $74.47 a month and $372 a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. A 1.5 HP single-speed pump draws about 1.7 kW and running 8 hours a day uses roughly 2,000 kWh in a 5-month season (over 5,000 kWh where pools run year-round).
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 HP | 1,200 | 22¢ | $1.73 | $52.57 | $263 |
| 1.5 HP | 1,700 | 31¢ | $2.45 | $74.47 | $372 |
| 2 HP | 2,200 | 40¢ | $3.17 | $96.37 | $482 |
At 8 hours a day for 5 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 | 1.70 | 31¢ | $9.31 | $112 |
| 2 hours | 3.40 | 61¢ | $18.62 | $223 |
| 4 hours | 6.80 | $1.22 | $37.23 | $447 |
| 8 hours | 13.60 | $2.45 | $74.47 | $894 |
| 12 hours | 20.40 | $3.67 | $112 | $1,340 |
| 24 hours | 40.80 | $7.34 | $223 | $2,681 |
Cost to run a pool pump (single-speed) in every state
The same pool pump (single-speed) costs $255 a year in North Dakota and $901 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¢ | 21¢ | $51.00 | $255 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 22¢ | $52.36 | $262 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 22¢ | $53.23 | $266 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 22¢ | $53.77 | $269 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 23¢ | $55.14 | $276 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 23¢ | $55.30 | $277 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 23¢ | $55.59 | $278 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 23¢ | $56.13 | $281 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 23¢ | $56.71 | $284 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 24¢ | $57.29 | $286 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 24¢ | $57.62 | $288 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 24¢ | $57.75 | $289 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 24¢ | $57.99 | $290 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 24¢ | $58.45 | $292 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 24¢ | $58.49 | $292 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 24¢ | $58.78 | $294 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 25¢ | $61.14 | $306 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 25¢ | $61.14 | $306 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 26¢ | $62.47 | $312 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 26¢ | $62.59 | $313 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 26¢ | $63.42 | $317 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 26¢ | $63.71 | $319 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 26¢ | $63.75 | $319 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 26¢ | $64.08 | $320 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 26¢ | $64.16 | $321 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 27¢ | $64.74 | $324 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 27¢ | $66.07 | $330 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 28¢ | $67.14 | $336 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 28¢ | $68.05 | $340 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 28¢ | $68.22 | $341 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 28¢ | $68.63 | $343 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 29¢ | $70.12 | $351 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 30¢ | $73.64 | $368 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 31¢ | $75.55 | $378 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 32¢ | $77.57 | $388 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 32¢ | $77.78 | $389 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 35¢ | $85.69 | $428 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 36¢ | $87.05 | $435 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 36¢ | $87.14 | $436 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 40¢ | $98.44 | $492 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 40¢ | $98.52 | $493 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 41¢ | $100 | $501 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 45¢ | $110 | $552 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 46¢ | $111 | $556 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 48¢ | $116 | $579 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 48¢ | $118 | $588 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 50¢ | $121 | $606 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 50¢ | $121 | $607 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 52¢ | $126 | $630 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 56¢ | $137 | $683 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 74¢ | $180 | $901 |
Most efficient pool pump (single-speed) models
The lowest-energy ENERGY STAR certified models in the most common size (1.4–1.9 hp), out of 213 certified models. In this class, the best model costs $114 a year to run. The least efficient costs $200. Same size, $86 a year apart.
| Brand | Model | Motor | Watts | Cost/yr | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQUAGEM TECHNOLOGY LIMITED | AI SUNBLAZER INVERTECH PUMP AI17 (120V) | 1.7 | 522 | $114 | Amazon |
| Hayward | HL2350020VSP (230V) +7 variants | 1.7 | 527 | $115 | Amazon |
| Hayward | HCP3020VSP (115V) +1 variant | 1.5 | 603 | $132 | Amazon |
| Hayward | HCP2500VSP (115V) +9 variants | 1.5 | 627 | $137 | Amazon |
| DAB | E.SWIM 150 | 1.7 | 642 | $141 | Amazon |
| Pentair | 011065 +3 variants | 1.5 | 659 | $144 | Amazon |
| STA-RITE | 013065 +3 variants | 1.5 | 659 | $144 | Amazon |
| Hayward | HL2670020VSP (230V) +4 variants | 1.7 | 661 | $145 | Amazon |
| AQUAGEM TECHNOLOGY LIMITED | MOOV AI PUMP MP165AIDV (230V) | 1.7 | 713 | $156 | Amazon |
| AQUAGEM TECHNOLOGY LIMITED | AI SUNBLAZER INVERTECH PUMP AI17 (240V) | 1.7 | 722 | $158 | Amazon |
Yearly cost at 8 hours a day for 5 months a year and 17.99¢/kWh. Look up any model in the calculator with “Look up my exact model”. Source: ENERGY STAR, updated 2026-10-21. Amazon links search for the exact model; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How to cut the cost
- Replace it with a variable-speed pump; ENERGY STAR estimates savings of over $500 a year in many areas.
- Cut run time to the minimum for one turnover per day (often 6 hours).
- Run the pump during off-peak hours on a time-of-use plan.
- Clean skimmer and pump baskets weekly; clogs increase run time needed.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Moves the same water at low speed for 60-80% less energy.
See options on AmazonEnsures the pump only runs needed hours, off-peak.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Pool heat pump | 5,500 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $145 | $723 |
| Robotic pool cleaner | 180 | 2.5 hours a day, 3 days a week for 5 months a year | $1.06 | $5 |
| 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 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a pool pump (single-speed) per hour?
A pool pump (single-speed) drawing 1,700 watts uses 1.70 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 31¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 21¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 74¢.
How much does it cost to run a pool pump (single-speed) per month?
At typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year), a pool pump (single-speed) costs about $74.47 a month while in use and $372 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 pump (single-speed) use?
Most pool pump (single-speed)s use 800 to 2,500 watts, depending on the setting (1 hp 1,200 W, 1.5 hp 1,700 W, 2 hp 2,200 W). Starting surge can reach 4,000 W. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a pool pump (single-speed) use?
About 13.60 kWh a day and 2,070 kWh a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year).
Does a pool pump (single-speed) use a lot of electricity?
Yes. At 2,070 kWh a year it's one of the bigger loads in a home, about 20% of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh a year.
Is it cheaper to run a pool pump (single-speed) or a variable-speed pool pump?
At typical use, a pool pump (single-speed) costs about $372 a year versus $115 for a variable-speed pool pump. So the variable-speed pool pump is cheaper by about $257 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a pool pump (single-speed)?
- Replace it with a variable-speed pump; ENERGY STAR estimates savings of over $500 a year in many areas.
- Cut run time to the minimum for one turnover per day (often 6 hours).
- Run the pump during off-peak hours on a time-of-use plan.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.