A typical household well pump uses 300 to 2,200 watts while running, and draws between 300 and 1,200 kilowatt-hours per year
The actual amount depends on three things: how deep your well is, how much water your household uses, and what type of pump you have. A shallow well with a jet pump in a small household might use 300 kilowatt-hours yearly. A deep well with a submersible pump serving a family of six could use 1,200 kilowatt-hours or more. Your electric bill will show your total household use, but you can estimate your pump's share by knowing its horsepower rating and how many hours per day it runs.
Most homeowners find their well pump accounts for 10 to 25 percent of their annual electricity bill. If your household uses 10,000 kilowatt-hours per year and your pump runs an average of three hours daily, the pump is likely responsible for roughly 1,000 to 1,500 of those kilowatt-hours.
Key Takeaways
- Well pump power use ranges from 300 to 2,200 watts depending on pump type, well depth, and household water demand.
- You can estimate annual electricity use by multiplying the pump's horsepower by 746 watts, then by the hours it runs per day and 365 days per year.
- Shallow wells with jet pumps typically use less electricity than deep wells with submersible pumps.
- A pressure tank that stores water reduces how often your pump cycles on and off, lowering total electricity consumption.
- Worn pump seals, leaking pipes, and sediment buildup force pumps to run longer and use more power than they should.
How pump type affects electricity use
Jet pumps are mounted above ground and pull water up from shallow wells (typically 25 feet or less). They use 300 to 1,000 watts while running. A jet pump serving a household of three might run 2 to 4 hours per day, consuming roughly 200 to 400 kilowatt-hours annually.
Submersible pumps sit inside the well and push water up from any depth. They use 750 to 2,200 watts depending on horsepower and well depth. A 1-horsepower submersible pump (746 watts) running 4 hours daily uses about 1,090 kilowatt-hours per year. A 2-horsepower pump (1,492 watts) running the same schedule uses roughly 2,180 kilowatt-hours annually.
Hand pumps and solar-powered pumps use no grid electricity. If you are considering a switch from a conventional electric pump, these alternatives eliminate electricity costs entirely, though they have different trade-offs in convenience and reliability.
How well depth changes power demand
Deeper wells require more energy to lift water to the surface. A well 50 feet deep demands less power than a 300-foot well pulling from the same aquifer. The pump must work harder and longer to fill your pressure tank, so it runs more hours per day.
A shallow well (under 50 feet) with a jet pump might run 2 to 3 hours daily. A deep well (200+ feet) with a submersible pump might run 4 to 6 hours daily to meet the same household demand. That difference alone can double your annual electricity use.
If you know your well depth, you can ask your pump installer or a local well contractor what runtime they would expect for your household size. That estimate, multiplied by the pump's wattage, gives you a reasonable annual figure.
Calculating your pump's electricity use
Start with your pump's horsepower rating, which is usually printed on a label attached to the pump or motor. One horsepower equals 746 watts.
| Horsepower | Watts |
|---|---|
| 0.5 HP | 373 watts |
| 0.75 HP | 560 watts |
| 1 HP | 746 watts |
| 1.5 HP | 1,119 watts |
| 2 HP | 1,492 watts |
| 3 HP | 2,238 watts |
Next, estimate how many hours per day your pump runs. If you have a pressure tank, the pump cycles on when pressure drops and off when the tank is full. Most household pumps run 2 to 4 hours daily on average, though this varies widely based on household size, water use, and tank size.
Multiply: Watts × Hours per day × 365 days = Annual kilowatt-hours
Example: A 1-horsepower pump (746 watts) running 3 hours daily uses 746 × 3 × 365 = 816 kilowatt-hours per year. At an average rate of $0.14 per kilowatt-hour, that costs roughly $114 per year.
How pressure tanks reduce electricity use
A pressure tank stores pressurized water so the pump does not have to run every time you turn on a faucet. Without one, the pump would start and stop dozens of times daily. With a tank, it runs fewer, longer cycles.
A larger pressure tank means the pump runs less often. A 20-gallon tank might cycle the pump on every 30 minutes during heavy use. A 80-gallon tank might cycle it on every 90 minutes. Fewer cycles mean lower total runtime and lower electricity use.
If your well system has no pressure tank, adding one is one of the most cost-effective ways to lower pump electricity use. A tank typically costs $300 to $800 installed and can reduce annual electricity consumption by 20 to 40 percent.
Signs your pump is using more electricity than it should
If your well pump runs constantly or cycles on and off every few minutes, something is wrong. Common causes include a leaking pipe, a failed pressure tank, worn pump seals, or sediment clogging the intake.
A leaking pipe between the pump and your house causes the pressure to drop, triggering the pump to run more often. Check for wet spots in your yard or basement, or listen for water running when no faucets are on.
A failed pressure tank loses its air charge and fills with water, so the pump must run constantly to maintain pressure. You will notice the pump running even when no water is being used.
A worn pump seal allows water to leak inside the motor, forcing it to work harder. The pump may sound different or run hotter than usual.
If you suspect any of these problems, contact a well pump contractor. Fixing a leak or replacing a tank seal usually costs $200 to $800 and can cut your electricity use back to normal.
Seasonal changes in pump runtime
Well pump runtime varies by season. In summer, when outdoor watering and higher indoor use increase water demand, pumps run longer. In winter, demand typically drops, and pumps run fewer hours per day.
If you water a large garden or lawn from your well, summer electricity use can be 50 percent higher than winter. A pump that runs 2 hours daily in winter might run 3 to 4 hours daily in summer.
To get an accurate annual estimate, track your pump runtime over several months or ask your well contractor what they observe in your area. Seasonal variation is normal and does not indicate a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tell how long my pump runs each day?
Yes. Listen to when your pump turns on and off over a full day. Write down the times and add up the total minutes. Divide by 60 to get hours. Alternatively, some pump controllers have built-in hour meters that display total runtime. If yours does, check it monthly to track the trend.
Does a bigger pressure tank save electricity?
Yes. A larger tank reduces how often the pump cycles on, lowering total runtime. A 40-gallon tank uses less electricity than a 20-gallon tank serving the same household. However, the savings are modest—usually 10 to 20 percent—so tank size alone is not the main factor in electricity use.
How much does it cost to run a well pump for a year?
A typical household well pump costs $100 to $300 per year to operate, depending on pump size, well depth, water use, and local electricity rates. A small jet pump in a low-use household might cost $80 per year. A large submersible pump in a high-use household could cost $400 or more annually.
Will a variable-speed pump save electricity?
Yes. Variable-speed pumps adjust their motor speed to match water demand, using less power during low-demand periods. They typically reduce electricity use by 25 to 50 percent compared to single-speed pumps. The upfront cost is higher—$1,500 to $3,000 installed versus $800 to $1,500 for a standard pump—but the electricity savings can pay back the difference over 5 to 10 years.
What if my well pump uses way more electricity than the calculation suggests?
Check for leaks, a failed pressure tank, or sediment in the pump intake. Have a well contractor inspect the system. A pump that runs longer than expected is usually signaling a problem that will get worse if ignored. Fixing it early is cheaper than replacing a burned-out motor.