Is a pool heat pump expensive to run?

A solar cover is the cheapest pool heat there is: it keeps the warmth you already paid for from evaporating away overnight. At typical use it adds about $100.25 to a monthly electric bill at the US-average rate, but that swings from $70.02 in the cheapest states to $260.73 in the most expensive.

How many watts does a pool heat pump use?

Pool Heat Pump typically draws about 5,000 running watts. Because it has a motor or compressor, it briefly spikes to around 9,000 watts at startup, which matters for generator and breaker sizing but not for energy cost. Check the nameplate or label on your specific unit for its exact rating.

How much electricity (kWh) does a pool heat pump use?

At typical use (5,000 W for 4 hours a day), a pool heat pump uses about 20 kWh per day: roughly 608 kWh per month, or about 70% of what the average US home uses in a month (863 kWh). Energy used doesn't depend on your electricity rate; only the bill does.

How can I lower the cost of running a pool heat pump?

A solar cover is the cheapest pool heat there is: it keeps the warmth you already paid for from evaporating away overnight. You can also cut the cost by lowering your electricity rate (many utilities offer cheaper off-peak hours) or simply by running it fewer hours. The calculator on this page shows how changing hours per day or your electricity rate moves the number.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Pool Heat Pump?

A pool heat pump moves heat from the air into thousands of gallons of water: efficient per BTU, but the sheer volume makes it a major seasonal load. At the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh, running a pool heat pump costs about $100.25/month ($1,203.04/year) at typical use. Adjust the watts, hours, and your rate below for your exact number.

Power (watts)

Hours per day: 4

Days per week: 7

Your state (sets the rate)

Electricity rate ($/kWh)

Cost to run a pool heat pump

$1,203/yr

Per day: $3.30
Per month: $100.25
Energy per year: 7,300 kWh

Cost = power (kW) × hours × days × your rate. Defaults are typical values: enter your appliance's actual watts (often on a label) and your real rate for a precise figure.

How much electricity does a pool heat pump use?

At 5,000 W for 4 hours a day, a pool heat pump uses about 20 kWh per day or roughly 608 kWh per month and 7,300 kWh per year. That's about 70% of the 863 kWh the average US home uses in a month. Energy use is the same everywhere: only the price per kWh changes your bill.

Wondering about the circuit instead? See how many amps a pool heat pump draws.

Cost to run a pool heat pump by electricity rate

Same 5,000 W appliance, 4 h/day: the bill changes with where you live.

Scenario	Rate	Per month	Per year
Cheapest states (North Dakota)	11.5¢	$70.02	$840.23
US average	16.5¢	$100.25	$1,203.04
Most expensive (Hawaii)	42.9¢	$260.73	$3,128.78

Find your state's rate on the electricity rates by state page, or see the appliance wattage chart for more devices.

Measure what a pool heat pump really costs you

The estimate above uses typical wattage and hours. This load is usually hardwired or on a 240 V circuit, so a plug-in meter won't fit it; a whole-home monitor's sensors clip onto the circuit's wires inside the panel and log its real kilowatt-hours. That means working in a live panel. Hire an electrician if that isn't you.

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Whole-home energy monitor

Emporia Vue 3 Home Energy Monitor (16 circuit sensors)

Best for: Measuring hardwired and 240 V loads, or every circuit at once

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Frequently asked questions

At the US-average residential rate of 16.5¢/kWh, a pool heat pump drawing 5,000 watts for about 4 hours a day costs roughly $3.30 per day, $100.25 per month, and $1,203.04 per year. Your actual cost depends on your electricity rate and how much you use it, and the calculator on this page adjusts for both.

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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Pool Heat Pump?

How much electricity does a pool heat pump use?

Cost to run a pool heat pump by electricity rate

Measure what a pool heat pump really costs you

Emporia Vue 3 Home Energy Monitor (16 circuit sensors)

Frequently asked questions