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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Pool Pump in Australia? (2026)
A single speed pool pump running 8 hours a day is frequently the second largest electricity consumer in a home after air conditioning. Variable speed pumps cut this cost dramatically.
A typical pool pump (1,500 W) costs A$0.52 per hour, or about A$126.00 per month at 8 hours a day in Australia. Expensive to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (500 W) | A$0.17 | A$1.40 | A$42.00 | A$511.00 |
| Typical (1,500 W) | A$0.52 | A$4.20 | A$126.00 | A$1,533 |
| High (2,500 W) | A$0.88 | A$7.00 | A$210.00 | A$2,555 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 8 h/day ≈ 4,380 kWh per year.
In Australia, with electricity at A$0.35 per kWh (source: AER Default Market Offer 2026–27, 2026-07), a typical pool pump costs A$0.52 per hour and about A$1,533 per year at 8 hours a day. Each A$1.00 of electricity buys roughly 1.9 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a pool pump
- Replace a single speed pump with a variable speed model. Savings of 50 to 80 percent are typical.
- Run the pump only as long as needed for one full water turnover, usually 6 to 8 hours.
- Schedule pump run time for off-peak electricity hours.
- Keep the filter and skimmer baskets clean so the pump works against less resistance.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours a day should a pool pump run?
Long enough to turn over the pool volume once, typically 6 to 8 hours in summer and less in winter.
How much does a pool pump cost to run per month?
A 1,500 watt pump for 8 hours uses 12 kWh a day, or about 360 kWh a month. Check the monthly figure above.
Are variable speed pumps worth it?
Usually yes. The payback period is commonly one to three years.
Cost by region
- United States (average)
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Canada (average)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- India