Is an Efficient Pool Pump Worth It in Australia? (2026)
With electricity at 35.0¢ per kWh in Australia, an efficient pool pump pays for itself in 2.0 years, even if your current one still works.
An efficient pool pump cuts electricity by 65%: about 1,404 kWh, worth A$491.40 a year in Australia. Worth it now
- From
- Single-speed pool pump, 1,500 W, about 2,160 kWh a year
- To
- Variable-speed pump run at low speed, about 756 kWh a year
- Usage
- 8 hours a day over a six-month pool season
| Scenario | You pay | Payback | Net over its life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replace a working pool pump now | A$1,000 | 2.0 years | A$3,914 |
| Replacing anyway: choose the efficient one | A$500.00 | 1.0 years | A$4,414 |
Prices are typical figures; type your own quotes above. Net over its life is the total saving over the years it lasts minus what you pay. It ignores inflation, interest and changes in electricity prices, which is conservative while prices are rising.
Our take
Worth it for any pool that runs its pump daily, and twice as fast where the pool is open all year. A pool pump is often the second largest electricity load in a home.
How the two models compare
| Inefficient | Efficient | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Single-speed pool pump, 1,500 W | Variable-speed pump run at low speed |
| Electricity per year | 2,160 kWh | 756 kWh |
| Cost per year here | A$756.00 | A$264.60 |
| Over 10 years | A$7,560 | A$2,646 |
Usage behind these figures: 8 hours a day over a six-month pool season. Basis: ENERGY STAR and US DOE: variable-speed pool pumps save 50 to 80% of pump electricity. 65% assumed, at 8 hours a day for 180 days. The Pool Pump page prices the appliance at its own typical hours, which you can change there.
The same upgrade in other countries
| Country | Saving per year | Payback, replacing now | Payback, replacing anyway | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States (average) | $257.49 | 3.9 years | 1.9 years | Worth it when replacing |
| United Kingdom | £369.53 | 2.7 years | 1.4 years | Worth it now |
| Germany | €519.48 | 1.9 years | 12 months | Worth it now |
| France | €280.94 | 3.6 years | 1.8 years | Worth it when replacing |
| Australia | A$491.40 | 2.0 years | 1.0 years | Worth it now |
| Canada (average) | C$196.56 | 5.1 years | 2.5 years | Worth it when replacing |
Local electricity prices, with the same purchase price read in local currency, which is a simplification. The saving column is what matters: the higher the price of electricity, the faster any upgrade pays back.
Other upgrades in Australia, fastest payback first
- LED Light Bulbsaves A$32.90 a year · worth it now
- Dehumidifiersaves A$189.00 a year · worth it now
- Electric Water Heatersaves A$1,073 a year · worth it now
- Wi-Fi Routersaves A$36.75 a year · worth it now
- Electric Sauna Heatersaves A$593.95 a year · worth it when replacing
- Chest Freezersaves A$108.50 a year · worth it when replacing
- Hot Tubsaves A$894.25 a year · worth it when replacing
- Clothes Dryersaves A$157.50 a year · worth it when replacing
- Air Conditionersaves A$87.50 a year · worth it when replacing
- Refrigeratorsaves A$150.50 a year · worth it when replacing
- Desktop Computersaves A$107.45 a year · not for the electricity
- Space Heatersaves A$315.00 a year · not for the electricity
- Electric Stovesaves A$51.10 a year · worth it when replacing
- Dishwashersaves A$49.00 a year · worth it when replacing
- Washing Machinesaves A$33.25 a year · worth it when replacing
- Televisionsaves A$25.55 a year · worth it when replacing