How Many kWh Does a Sump Pump Use?
Sump Pump energy cost calculator — see your exact daily, monthly, and yearly electricity cost.
US national average. Edit for your local rate.
Daily Energy Use
0.25
kWh / day
Monthly Cost
$1.41
Yearly Cost
$17.18
Sump Pump — Cost Breakdown
| Period | kWh Used | Cost ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | 0.5000 | $0.0941 |
| Per Day | 0.25 | $0.05 |
| Per Month (30 days) | 7.50 | $1.41 |
| Per Year (365 days) | 91.25 | $17.18 |
A sump pump running for 30 minutes uses about the same energy as running a microwave for 12 minutes.
3 Ways to Cut Your Sump Pump Energy Bill
- 🌱
Install a check valve to prevent backflow — without it, the pump runs longer to re-pump water that flows back into the pit.
- 💡
Clean the intake screen annually to prevent debris from restricting flow and forcing the pump to run longer.
- ⚡
Ensure the float switch moves freely — a stuck switch can cause the pump to run continuously, wasting energy and burning out the motor.
The pump motor draws a significant startup surge of about 1,000–1,500W for a few seconds before settling to its running wattage.