How Much Does It Cost to Run a Well Pump in Nova Scotia? (2026)
A submersible well pump draws 750 to 2,200 watts and runs whenever the pressure tank drops. A typical household uses 1 to 2 hours of pump time a day, making it a noticeable but modest load.
A typical well pump (1,100 W) costs C$0.23 per hour, or about C$10.14 per month at 1.5 hours a day in Nova Scotia. Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low 750 W | C$0.15 | C$0.23 | C$6.91 | C$84.10 |
| Typical 1,100 W | C$0.23 | C$0.34 | C$10.14 | C$123.34 |
| High 2,200 W | C$0.45 | C$0.68 | C$20.28 | C$246.68 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 1.5 h/day ≈ 602 kWh per year.
One hour of a well pump (1.1 kWh) is the same electricity as
- 6.1km in an electric car
- 11hours of TV
- 24hours of a laptop
- 122hours of an LED bulb
In Nova Scotia, with electricity at 20.5¢ per kWh (source: Hydro-Québec 2025 comparison, 2025-04), a typical well pump costs C$0.23 per hour and about C$123.34 per year at 1.5 hours a day. That is about 46% more than the national average for Canada (C$6.93 per month), because electricity in Nova Scotia costs 20.5¢ per kWh against 14.0¢ nationally. Each C$1.00 of electricity buys roughly 4.4 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a well pump
- Fix leaks and dripping taps. Every litre wasted is pump time.
- Check the pressure tank. A waterlogged tank makes the pump short-cycle.
- Water the garden in the morning when pressure and efficiency are best.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a well pump use per month?
About 50 kWh at 1.5 hours a day. Pick your region above for the cost.
Does a well pump use a lot of power?
It is one of the larger loads in a rural home, comparable to a dryer.
Why is my well pump running constantly?
Likely a leak, a failed pressure switch, or a low water table.
Cost by region
US states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Canadian provinces
Related appliances
- Sump Pump800 W typical
- Air Compressor1,500 W typical
- Table Saw1,800 W typical
- Shop Vacuum1,200 W typical
Use the generic electricity cost calculator · Which uses more? Take the quiz