How Much Electricity Do Pool Pumps Use?

TL;DR: Pool pumps can account for up to 20% of a home’s energy use, with heating elements and oversized pumps contributing to high costs. This guide explains pool pump energy consumption, average electricity use, and strategies to save money, including choosing energy-efficient pumps and optimizing usage.

The most energy-intensive appliances in your home may, in fact, be outside your home.

As soon as the weather gets warmer, pool pumps switch on, and electricity bills soar. In some cases, a single pool pump can account for up to 20% of a home’s energy expenses!

How much electricity do pool pumps use, and is there a valid way to reduce consumption?

In this guide, we’ll explore why pool pumps draw so much power. You’ll get some data about average electricity use in homes with swimming pools. Plus, we’ll share our top energy-saving tips to help lower your monthly energy bill.

Keep reading to learn how to maintain health and hygiene in your pool without breaking the bank.

Your pool pump has a massive job to do. It needs to move an incredibly large volume of water through a filtration system. Some large pools circulate thousands of gallons of water on a daily basis.

The pump has to overcome significant hydraulic resistance to get the job done. The older or dirtier your pool pump, the harder it must work. Older pool pumps may have less efficient motors. Likewise, dirty pool pumps have to fight against additional resistance due to debris.

Below are the other elements that can contribute to high pool pump energy usage.

If your pool pump has a heating element, the electricity demand will be even higher. Heating and cooling devices require more energy than nearly any other home appliance. We’ll break down the specific costs and demands later in this post.

The larger the pump, the more energy it requires. Often, homeowners have a larger pump than they need, which can inflate energy costs.

As a general rule, the longer an appliance runs, the more energy it will use. If you have a large swimming pool, your pump may run for up to 12 hours per day.

Some pumps, known as single-speed pumps, run at maximum speed for the duration. That can waste energy that would ordinarily go toward less demanding tasks, like water circulation.

Furthermore, in some energy markets, utility companies charge more for electricity during peak hours. They may also charge more during winter or summer when homes use the most electricity. Running a pool pump during peak hours in the peak season can cost you even more money.

The short answer to this question is a lot. The nuanced answer to this question is it depends.

Different types of swimming pool pumps require different amounts of electricity to run. The more modern your pump, the lower the average energy demand.

There are three basic types of pool pumps in use today:

• Single-Speed Pumps: These operate at a fixed speed, often using more energy than necessary for routine tasks.
• Dual-Speed Pumps: Offer high and low-speed settings, allowing for energy savings during lighter workloads.
• Variable-Speed Pumps: Highly efficient, these pumps adjust their speed to match the pool's needs, significantly reducing energy use.

Naturally, a single-speed pump uses more energy than a variable-speed pump. The average single or dual-speed swimming pool pump uses between 1,500 and 2,500 watts per hour. The average variable speed swimming pool pump uses between 300 and 1,000 watts per hour.

Other factors that contribute to energy usage include:

• The size of your pool
• The size of the pump
• How many hours per day you run your pump
• Whether or not the pump has a heating element

Your utility company or energy supplier most likely charges you based on kilowatt hours (kWh). One kWh is equal to the amount of energy used by a 1,000-watt appliance running for one hour. Thus, if you know your pool pump’s wattage and daily run time, you can calculate its daily energy expenditure.

In general, heating your pool can require thousands of watts per hour. As a result, running the heater is considerably more costly than running the pump alone. In fact, less efficient heating technology can cost you $5.00 or more per day.

Assume you choose an energy-efficient pool pump, like a variable-speed pool pump. At the absolute lowest speed, your pump alone draws about 300 watts of electricity per hour. The addition of a heat pump adds an additional 4000 watts per hour to your total energy usage.

That yields a combined wattage of 4,300 per hour. Thus, running for the minimum length of time (6 hours), you’re using 25,800 watts of power in a day. That’s 25.8 kWh.

The average electricity rate in the country is 16 cents per kWh. At that rate, you’re spending over $4.00/day to do the minimum. If you use a higher speed or run your heated pump for longer, that figure will only increase.

Remember, these costs are on top of your other electricity expenses.

Opting for an energy efficient pool pump can save you hundreds of dollars a year on electricity.

First, opt for a more efficient variable-speed pool pump, if possible. Specifically, look for Energy Star-certified pumps or heaters. These appliances follow the strictest government standards for consumption and sustainability.

You might also consider choosing a pool pump with a timer to strictly limit how long the pump runs per day. Accessories like solar pool covers can also reduce the need to run your heater and pump.

Finally, ensure the pump you choose is the correct size for your pool. Using a larger pump than necessary will draw more electricity than you need.

If you live in a deregulated energy state, you can potentially save even more money on your electric bill. Start with a tool like the energy marketplace on EnergyPricing.com. It allows you to compare rates from reputable energy suppliers in your region. You can switch to a new provider and claim a lower rate in minutes.

Ready to get started? Enter your zip code to begin your search for more affordable energy.