How much does it cost to run a septic aerator?
A septic aerator costs about 1.4¢ per hour, 35¢ a day, $10.51 a month and $126 a year at typical use (24 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Aerobic treatment units run an air pump continuously; linear diaphragm pumps draw about 40-120 W (350-1,000 kWh a year), older rotary compressors 250-500 W.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linear diaphragm pump | 80 | 1.4¢ | 35¢ | $10.51 | $126 |
| Rotary vane compressor | 350 | 6.3¢ | $1.51 | $46.00 | $552 |
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 | 0.08 | 1.4¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| 2 hours | 0.16 | 2.9¢ | $0.88 | $11 |
| 4 hours | 0.32 | 5.8¢ | $1.75 | $21 |
| 8 hours | 0.64 | 12¢ | $3.50 | $42 |
| 12 hours | 0.96 | 17¢ | $5.26 | $63 |
| 24 hours | 1.92 | 35¢ | $10.51 | $126 |
Cost to run a septic aerator in every state
The same septic aerator costs $86 a year in North Dakota and $305 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¢ | 1.0¢ | $7.20 | $86 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 1.0¢ | $7.39 | $89 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 1.0¢ | $7.52 | $90 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 1.0¢ | $7.59 | $91 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 1.1¢ | $7.78 | $93 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 1.1¢ | $7.81 | $94 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 1.1¢ | $7.85 | $94 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 1.1¢ | $7.92 | $95 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 1.1¢ | $8.01 | $96 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 1.1¢ | $8.09 | $97 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 1.1¢ | $8.13 | $98 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 1.1¢ | $8.15 | $98 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 1.1¢ | $8.19 | $98 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 1.1¢ | $8.25 | $99 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 1.1¢ | $8.26 | $99 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 1.1¢ | $8.30 | $100 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 1.2¢ | $8.63 | $104 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 1.2¢ | $8.63 | $104 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 1.2¢ | $8.82 | $106 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 1.2¢ | $8.84 | $106 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 1.2¢ | $8.95 | $107 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 1.2¢ | $8.99 | $108 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 1.2¢ | $9.00 | $108 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 1.2¢ | $9.05 | $109 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 1.2¢ | $9.06 | $109 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 1.3¢ | $9.14 | $110 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 1.3¢ | $9.33 | $112 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 1.3¢ | $9.48 | $114 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 1.3¢ | $9.61 | $115 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 1.3¢ | $9.63 | $116 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 1.3¢ | $9.69 | $116 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 1.4¢ | $9.90 | $119 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 1.4¢ | $10.40 | $125 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 1.5¢ | $10.67 | $128 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 1.5¢ | $10.95 | $131 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 1.5¢ | $10.98 | $132 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 1.7¢ | $12.10 | $145 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 1.7¢ | $12.29 | $147 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 1.7¢ | $12.30 | $148 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 1.9¢ | $13.90 | $167 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 1.9¢ | $13.91 | $167 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 1.9¢ | $14.14 | $170 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 2.1¢ | $15.59 | $187 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 2.1¢ | $15.69 | $188 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 2.2¢ | $16.36 | $196 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 2.3¢ | $16.59 | $199 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 2.3¢ | $17.11 | $205 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 2.3¢ | $17.13 | $206 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 2.4¢ | $17.78 | $213 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 2.6¢ | $19.28 | $231 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 3.5¢ | $25.43 | $305 |
How to cut the cost
- Replace an old rotary compressor with a linear diaphragm pump if your system allows; it can cut use 60-80%.
- Clean the aerator's air filter every 3-6 months.
- Ask your service provider whether a timer for intermittent aeration is approved for your system.
- Reduce water use to keep the system from needing extra aeration.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Moves the same air with a fraction of the power of rotary vane compressors.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Septic aerator | 80 | 24 hours a day | $10.51 | $126 |
| Well pump | 1,400 | 1 hour a day | $7.67 | $92 |
| Sump pump | 800 | 18 minutes a day | $1.31 | $16 |
| Sewage ejector pump | 1,000 | 15 minutes a day | $1.37 | $16 |
| UV water purifier | 40 | 24 hours a day | $5.26 | $63 |
| Electric gate opener | 250 | 3 minutes a day | $0.72 | $9 |
| Garage door opener | 450 | 2 minutes a day | $0.60 | $7 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a septic aerator per hour?
A septic aerator drawing 80 watts uses 0.08 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 1.4¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 1.0¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 3.5¢.
How much does it cost to run a septic aerator per month?
At typical use (24 hours a day), a septic aerator costs about $10.51 a month and $126 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 septic aerator use?
Most septic aerators use 40 to 500 watts, depending on the setting (linear diaphragm pump 80 W, rotary vane compressor 350 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a septic aerator use?
About 1.92 kWh a day and 701 kWh a year at typical use (24 hours a day).
Does a septic aerator use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 701 kWh a year is about 7% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a septic aerator or a well pump?
At typical use, a septic aerator costs about $126 a year versus $92 for a well pump. So the well pump is cheaper by about $34 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a septic aerator?
- Replace an old rotary compressor with a linear diaphragm pump if your system allows; it can cut use 60-80%.
- Clean the aerator's air filter every 3-6 months.
- Ask your service provider whether a timer for intermittent aeration is approved for your system.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.