Cost to Run a Well Pump (1 HP) in South Carolina
At South Carolina’s April 2026 average residential rate of 17.06¢/kWh, a typical well pump costs about $7.79 per month — or $93 per year.
Uses 1.5 kWh/day · 548 kWh/year.
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Formula: cost = watts × duty × hours/day × days/year × rate / 100 / 1000
About this appliance
A 1 HP submersible well pump supplying a typical 2-4 person household.
This page uses South Carolina’s residential average electricity price. South Carolina households pay 9% less than the U.S. average of 18.83¢/kWh, so running the same well pump in South Carolina costs about $93/year, compared with the U.S. typical of $103/year.
Well Pump cost across other states
| State | Rate (¢/kWh) | Yearly cost |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.35 | |
| Idaho | 12.70 | |
| Nebraska | 13.28 | |
| Utah | 13.29 | |
| Oklahoma | 13.31 | |
| Iowa | 13.86 | |
| Montana | 13.90 | |
| Missouri | 14.01 | |
| Arkansas | 14.16 | |
| Nevada | 14.29 | |
| Washington | 14.36 | |
| South Carolina | 17.06 |
How to lower the cost of your well pump in South Carolina
- 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 17.06¢/kWh come from?
It is the South Carolina 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.