outdoor · 5000W typical
Running a electric pool heater/heat pump costs about $103.95/month.
That's the typical electric pool heater/heat pump at 5000W, run 6 hours a day at the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh. Change any of those and the number moves — use the calculator below to see yours.
Estimated cost
A electric pool heater/heat pump draws full power only while the thermostat/compressor is running — about 4.2 effective hours at 5000W across your 6-hour window.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same electric pool heater/heat pump can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
shoulder season
$103.95
per month
spring/fall use to extend season
summer daily
$51.98
per month
maintains temp during evening cooldown
Where you live
$188.37 spread between the cheapest and priciest states.
Same appliance, same hours of use, different zip code — the monthly cost varies this much.
| State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 41.2¢ | $259.56 | $3,157.98 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $197.82 | $2,406.81 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $194.04 | $2,360.82 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $180.81 | $2,199.85 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $175.77 | $2,138.54 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $154.98 | $1,885.59 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $153.09 | $1,862.59 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $140.49 | $1,709.29 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $139.23 | $1,693.97 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $135.45 | $1,647.98 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $121.59 | $1,479.35 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $120.33 | $1,464.02 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $115.92 | $1,410.36 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $114.03 | $1,387.37 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $112.14 | $1,364.37 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $109.62 | $1,333.71 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $108.36 | $1,318.38 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $106.47 | $1,295.38 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $104.58 | $1,272.39 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $102.69 | $1,249.40 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $99.54 | $1,211.07 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $98.91 | $1,203.41 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $98.28 | $1,195.74 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $97.02 | $1,180.41 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $95.76 | $1,165.08 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $95.76 | $1,165.08 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $95.13 | $1,157.42 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $93.24 | $1,134.42 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $93.24 | $1,134.42 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $92.61 | $1,126.75 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $92.61 | $1,126.75 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $91.98 | $1,119.09 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $89.46 | $1,088.43 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $88.83 | $1,080.76 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $87.57 | $1,065.44 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $85.68 | $1,042.44 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $84.42 | $1,027.11 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $83.79 | $1,019.45 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $83.16 | $1,011.78 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $82.53 | $1,004.12 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $82.53 | $1,004.12 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $80.01 | $973.45 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $78.12 | $950.46 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $76.86 | $935.13 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $76.23 | $927.46 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $76.23 | $927.46 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $74.97 | $912.14 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $73.08 | $889.14 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $72.45 | $881.48 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $71.82 | $873.81 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $71.19 | $866.15 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $1,011.78/year difference across the wattage range.
Swapping a high-draw model for an efficient one pays for itself. Here's what that looks like annually at typical usage.
Most efficient
3500W
$72.76 per month
$885.31 per year
Typical
5000W
$103.95 per month
$1,264.73 per year
High draw
7500W
$155.92 per month
$1,897.09 per year
When it hits hardest
summer peak
Heaviest May-Sept; shoulder season use extends it.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Use a solar cover whenever pool isn't in use
Cuts heater runtime 50-70%
- 2
Choose heat pump over resistance heater — 5x more efficient
Heat pumps use 1/5 the energy
- 3
Lower setpoint by 4°F
Saves 15-25% heating energy
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Hayward | HeatPro W3HP21404T | 5200W |
| Pentair | UltraTemp 140 HP | 5400W |
| AquaCal | HeatWave SuperQuiet SQ166 | 5000W |
Picks that actually move the needle
Three products worth comparing if you're thinking about upgrading or supplementing what you have.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy, we may earn a small commission — it never changes the price you pay, and we only recommend picks we would stand behind.
See also
Related appliances
Sources: www.energy.gov · www.energystar.gov
Last updated: 2026-04-13