How much does it cost to run a pool pump?
A 1.5 HP single-speed pump drawing about 1,700 watts costs about $73 a month to run 8 hours a day at 18 cents a kWh, close to the 2026 US average. A variable-speed pump on low can filter the same water for about $18.
The bill comes down to three things: how much power the pump draws, how many hours it runs, and what your utility charges per kilowatt-hour. The hours are the one you can change tonight.
Work it out for your own pump
Multiply the pump's watts by the hours it runs, divide by 1,000 for kilowatt-hours a day, then multiply by the rate on your electric bill. If the label only lists amps and volts, multiply those for a rough watt figure that slightly overstates the draw. Single-speed 1.5 HP motors typically draw 1,500 to 2,000 watts, so at 18 cents every extra daily hour adds about $9 a month.
Run to a turnover, not a habit
A 20,000 gallon pool behind a pump moving 60 gallons a minute is filtered once through in 5 h 33 min. Set the timer to that instead of a default 8 hours and the same pump costs about $51 a month. Add hours in a heat wave or while clearing algae, then cut back once the water holds.
Why variable speed costs so much less
Halving a pump's speed halves its flow but cuts its power to roughly an eighth. A variable-speed pump on low, moving about 30 gallons a minute on around 300 watts, needs 11 h 7 min to turn the same pool over and still costs only about $18 a month. Running slowly is much quieter, too.
Over a season
At 8 hours a day, a six-month swim season adds up to about $441 for the single-speed pump. If your utility charges more at peak times, schedule the run outside them. If the bill is higher than you expect, check the timer, then the filter: a clogged filter lowers flow, so the pump needs more hours for the same turnover.
Work out your own numbers
Use the pump run time calculator, heating cost calculator and the cost to fill calculator with your own readings. If you do not know your volume yet, measure it with the pool volume calculator.
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