A swimming pool will typically use between 2,000 to 3,000kWh (kWh) of electricity per year depending on:
- the type and size of the pump
- how long it is run for each day
- whether the pool is heated.
Swimming pool and spa running costs
The tables below are guides and don't include lighting, cleaning equipment, or bubble and water features.
Swimming pools
Most of the energy used for a pool is for the filter. If you have a gas water heater or solar heating system, you will also have an electric solar pump installed. Chlorine or saltwater sanitation systems also use electricity.
| Appliance | Typical hourly energy use | Typical hourly running cost | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pool filter pump | 0.75 - 1.5 kW | $0.26 - $0.53 | ||
Gas water heater | 100 - 425 MJ/h | $4.00 - $17.00 | ||
Solar water heater pump | 0.5 - 0.75 kW | $0.18 - $0.26 | ||
Chlorination equipment | 0.12 - 0.2 kW | $0.04 - $0.07 | ||
| Estimated running costs are based on the AGL electricity and Origin Energy standing retail contracts. | ||||
Outdoor spa pools
Spa pools typically hold between 1,000 to 2,000 litres of water, which is more than indoor spa baths. Water is usually heated to between 34°C and 38°C and is pumped through nozzles at high pressure. Pumps need to be powerful enough to push the water through at high flow rates. Very large spas might need two pumps.
Heating is the main running cost for a spa pool. Water heaters can be:
- gas
- electric (solar)
- electric element
The cost of running a spa pool will depend on:
- how often it's used
- whether the water is heated from cold or from the household's hot water system
- whether the spa is kept filled or emptied after use
- how much heat the water loses to the environment.
Indoor spa baths
Indoor spa baths are usually large bathtubs that have high pressure water jets. The pump is the main energy user. The water comes from the household’s water heater but some spa baths also have a small heater.
A typical spa pump is around 900W, which would cost approximately $0.32 per hour to run.
A small heater is typically 1kW, which would cost around $0.35 per hour to run.
Energy saving behaviours
- check the manufacturer’s instructions or ask a pool and spa specialist about safely reducing the pump's running time
- maintain the pool and spa according to the manufacturer’s instructions
- use a cover to prevent heat loss and evaporation
- keep heating to a minimum.
Related information
Other websites
- Outdoor living – energy.gov.au (Australian Government)
- Swimming pool pumps – E3 Program
