How Much Does It Cost to Run a Pool Pump?

Most home pool pumps have a motor of about 1–2 hp. The US Department of Energy's Building America Solution Center puts a typical 1½ hp single-speed pump at about 2,000 W, and 1½–2 hp pumps at 1,500–2,500 W. South Australia's government lists pool filter pumps at 0.75–1.5 kW. We use 1,500 W as a typical figure.

At 6 hours a day, a 1,500 W pump uses 9 kWh: about $1.63 a day in the US, A$4.28 in Australia and €2.26 in Spain. Over a month that's about 274 kWh, or about $49.69 in the US and A$129.99 in Australia. Running it 12 hours a day doubles the cost.

Over a season, that makes the pump one of the biggest loads in a home. ENERGY STAR says a pool pump can be a home's second-largest energy user, and South Australia's government says a pool typically uses 2,000–3,000 kWh a year.

A single-speed pump always runs flat out, typically at 3,450 rpm. Filtering needs only about half the flow of running a pool cleaner, so for most of its running time the pump moves more water than it needs to.

A variable-speed pump can slow down, and its power falls much faster than its speed: at half speed it uses about one-eighth of the power. Run at half speed for twice as long, it filters the same water for about a quarter of the energy.

In a DOE example, slowing a 2,000 W pump from 3,450 to 2,400 rpm cuts its draw to about 593 W, 70% less. Overall, variable-speed pumps can cut pumping energy by 50–90%. Two-speed pumps sit in between, with a full speed for cleaning and a half speed for everyday filtering.

ENERGY STAR estimates that a certified variable-speed pump saves about 2,800 kWh a year compared with a conventional pump, and pays back its extra cost in under two years.

Pool pumps work hardest in summer: roughly May to September in North America and Europe, and November to March in Australia, South Africa and South America. Most pools need fewer hours of filtering in cooler months.

In Australia, pool pumps carry an energy rating label with stars and an estimated yearly energy use. More stars mean lower running costs for a pump of the same size.

With rooftop solar, running the pump in the middle of the day uses your own solar power instead of electricity from the grid. On a time-of-use tariff, run it in the cheapest hours.

In the US, many pool pumps are wired for 230 V and smaller ones for 115 V; in Australia and Europe they run on 230 V. Voltage doesn't change the cost: the watts and hours do.

Figures are at full speed unless stated. Your pump's rating is on the motor label, and in Australia the energy rating label also shows yearly kWh. Use your own figure in the calculator, and a lower one for a variable-speed pump on a low setting.

• Run the pump only as long as your pool needs for clear water. ENERGY STAR notes that filtering 6 hours a day instead of 24 cuts energy use by 75%.
• On a variable-speed pump, use the lowest speed that keeps the water clear, and turn it up only for vacuuming or backwashing.
• If debris is a problem, run several shorter cycles a day rather than one long one.
• When replacing a pump, choose a variable-speed model of the right size: ENERGY STAR certified in North America, or a high star rating in Australia. An oversized pump wastes energy.
• Keep the skimmer basket, pump basket and filter clean so the pump doesn't have to work harder.
• Use a robotic pool cleaner instead of a booster pump. A PG&E study cited by ENERGY STAR found about 197 kWh a year for a robotic cleaner against 2,989 kWh for a booster-pump cleaner.
• With solar panels or a time-of-use tariff, schedule the pump for the cheapest hours.

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