Pool pump running cost calculator

Compare the electricity used by a single-speed pool pump and a variable-speed pump. Use the measured power and daily run time for each. For the variable pump, enter low-speed and high-speed power and hours separately.

The schedules should meet the same pool circulation needs. A shorter or slower schedule may cost less, but the calculator does not decide whether it provides enough circulation. Get that requirement from your equipment guidance or pool professional.

Choose a flat price or enter the electricity price for each run window. Add operating months to estimate seasonal costs. You can also enter a replacement quote, discount, extra maintenance and ownership years to compare the investment.

Add input watts × hours for each speed, then divide by 1000 to obtain daily kWh. Multiply by the flat price or the actual price for each run window. Daily schedules cannot total more than 24 hours. Season days = months ÷ 12 × 365; an average month is 365 ÷ 12 days.

Check daily energy and daily cost for both schedules, then read the season total. A schedule can use less energy yet cost more if it runs at a higher price. The separate run-window prices make that difference visible.

For the optional investment comparison, use the actual installed quote less the confirmed discount. Extra yearly maintenance reduces the annual saving. A zero or negative net saving has no finite payback; a positive payback figure assumes the same saving repeats.

Use the ownership period to review the entered investment over the number of years you plan. Keep the replacement price separate from electricity running costs. If the quote already includes the discount, do not subtract it again. Check whether maintenance is an extra yearly amount compared with the current pump, rather than its full existing service cost.

These illustrative inputs are separate from your saved answers. Prices, use and performance are held constant for this worked scenario; they are not personal defaults.

Use measured input watts at each speed, not the pump label maximum for every setting. A measured average and a maximum rating describe different things. The tool supplies no missing personal wattage or runtime.

The low-speed and high-speed hours together must fit within a day. Do not put the same hours in both speed fields. Season days are calculated from the selected months, so they are an average season length rather than an exact calendar.

Running-cost savings do not confirm pump capacity, pool hygiene or installation suitability. The comparison holds the entered schedules and prices constant. Actual use and tariffs may change.

Investment payback excludes financing, future price changes and replacement beyond the costs you enter. Do not deduct a quote discount twice. Money is rounded for display; totals use unrounded values. Invalid edits keep the last valid estimate visible with a warning.

Australian published electricity defaults cover the AER DMO zones and the Victorian Default Offer. They are actual flat usage prices including GST, not annual reference bills divided by consumption. Other states and TOU schedules require the prices on your bill.

TOU means time-of-use pricing: different hours can have different prices. Use the actual price for each pump run window. Linked sources have checked dates; they explain the price or method rather than supplying missing pump measurements.

Ask a qualified pool professional to confirm circulation needs and a suitable pump schedule before changing settings or choosing equipment. Bring the measured powers, hours and pool equipment details.

Use an appropriate qualified installer for electrical changes. Check compatibility and installation scope against the written quote. The estimate is one part of a decision and does not certify performance or safety. Follow the maker instructions and local requirements.