How Much Does It Cost to Run a Well Pump in the UK? (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 £0.29 per hour, or about £13.03 per month at 1.5 hours a day in the UK. Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low 750 W | £0.20 | £0.30 | £8.88 | £108.08 |
| Typical 1,100 W | £0.29 | £0.43 | £13.03 | £158.51 |
| High 2,200 W | £0.58 | £0.87 | £26.06 | £317.02 |
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 the UK, with electricity at 26.3p per kWh (source: Ofgem price cap 1 Oct–31 Dec 2026, 2026-10), a typical well pump costs £0.29 per hour and about £158.51 per year at 1.5 hours a day. Each £1.00 of electricity buys roughly 3.5 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