Cost to Run a Sump Pump (1/3 HP) in Colorado
At Colorado’s April 2026 average residential rate of 16.54¢/kWh, a typical sump pump costs about $1.01 per month — or $5 per year.
Uses 0.2 kWh/day · 30 kWh/year.
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Override the defaults with your own usage and rate. Calculations update instantly.
Formula: cost = watts × duty × hours/day × days/year × rate / 100 / 1000
About this appliance
A 1/3 HP submersible sump pump cycling occasionally during wet seasons.
This page uses Colorado’s residential average electricity price. Colorado households pay 12% less than the U.S. average of 18.83¢/kWh, so running the same sump pump in Colorado costs about $5/year, compared with the U.S. typical of $6/year.
Sump Pump cost across other states
| State | Rate (¢/kWh) | Yearly cost |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.35 | |
| Idaho | 12.70 | |
| Nebraska | 13.28 | |
| Oklahoma | 13.31 | |
| Utah | 13.29 | |
| Iowa | 13.86 | |
| Montana | 13.90 | |
| Missouri | 14.01 | |
| Arkansas | 14.16 | |
| Nevada | 14.29 | |
| Washington | 14.36 | |
| Colorado | 16.54 |
How to lower the cost of your sump pump in Colorado
- Run pumps off-peak. Most utilities have lower rates overnight; a programmable timer pays for itself in 1 season.
- Cover hot tubs and pools. A floating cover can cut heat loss 70%+.
- Switch to a variable-speed pump. ENERGY STAR variable-speed pool pumps use 50–75% less energy than single-speed.
Gear that helps
Tools and upgrades that pay back fastest for this appliance category. Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
- Variable-speed pool pump — 50–75% less electricity
- Pool pump timer — schedule off-peak operation
- Hot tub thermal cover — cuts heat loss 70%+
FAQ
How accurate is this estimate?
The calculation is exact for the given inputs. Real-world variation comes from your utility’s actual rate (which varies by plan and time-of-day), your specific appliance’s efficiency, and your usage pattern. Use the customize box above to plug in your own numbers.
Where does the 16.54¢/kWh come from?
It is the Colorado residential average from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (April 2026). See the methodology page.
How can I lower this cost?
Three high-impact moves: (1) shift heavy usage to off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use pricing; (2) switch to a more efficient unit (Energy Star); (3) reduce hours of use. For appliances with always-on standby draw, an inexpensive plug-in Kill-A-Watt meter often pays for itself by revealing surprise loads.