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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Sump Pump in California? (2026)
A sump pump draws 400 to 1,500 watts but only runs when the pit fills. In dry seasons that may be minutes a day; in a wet spring it can run for hours.
A typical sump pump (800 W) costs $0.28 per hour, or about $4.20 per month at 0.5 hours a day in California. Cheap to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (400 W) | $0.14 | $0.070 | $2.10 | $25.55 |
| Typical (800 W) | $0.28 | $0.14 | $4.20 | $51.10 |
| High (1,500 W) | $0.52 | $0.26 | $7.87 | $95.81 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 0.5 h/day ≈ 146 kWh per year.
In California, with electricity at $0.35 per kWh (source: EIA Table 5.6.A, 2026-06), a typical sump pump costs $0.28 per hour and about $51.10 per year at 0.5 hours a day. That is about 94% more than the US national average of $2.16 per month, because electricity in California costs $0.35 per kWh against $0.18 nationally. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 3.6 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a sump pump
- Fix grading and gutters so less water reaches the pit in the first place.
- Check the float switch. A stuck float can run the pump continuously.
- Size the pump correctly. An oversized pump short-cycles and wears out.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sump pump cost to run?
About 0.4 kWh a day at 30 minutes of run time. Far more during storms.
Does a sump pump use electricity when not pumping?
No. It draws nothing until the float switch closes.
Should I be worried about a sump pump running constantly?
Yes. It usually means a stuck float, a high water table, or a failed check valve.
Cost by region
- United States (average)
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Canada (average)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- India