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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Sump Pump in the US? (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 $0.14 per hour, or about $2.16 per month at 0.5 hours a day in United States (average). Cheap to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (400 W) | $0.072 | $0.036 | $1.08 | $13.14 |
| Typical (800 W) | $0.14 | $0.072 | $2.16 | $26.28 |
| High (1,500 W) | $0.27 | $0.14 | $4.05 | $49.27 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 0.5 h/day ≈ 146 kWh per year.
In the US, with electricity at $0.18 per kWh (source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, 2026-06), a typical sump pump costs $0.14 per hour and about $26.28 per year at 0.5 hours a day. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 6.9 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