What's Your Pool Really Costing You?
Swimming pools can add 30–40% to a household's energy bill. Most of that comes from pump run times that are longer than your pool actually needs — and the guesswork that keeps them there.
Together Energy are our expert pool partner and can show how pool costs can be reduced, whilst keeping the pool chemistry optimal.
How the calculator works
1) Enter your details
Enter pool pump type, electricity rates and winter/summer run times and if you have solar
2) See your current run costs and savings
Based on the inputs and typical reductions in run time, you can see the benefits of better pool management.
What matters most
How pool pump works
A typical 1.1kW pump running 8 hours a day costs roughly $1,200/year in electricity. Most pools don't need 8 hours. Runtime depends on pool volume, water chemistry, filtration rate, and season — but most timers never get adjusted after install.
Variable speed vs. single speed pump
Single-speed pumps run at full power regardless of need. Variable-speed pumps can run slower for longer, moving the same volume of water at a fraction of the energy cost. If you're replacing a pump, variable speed pays for itself within 1–2 years.
Shift to solar or off-peak
If your energy plan has time-of-use pricing, running your pump during off-peak or shoulder periods instead of the afternoon peak can save 30–40% on pool energy alone — no hardware changes required. Or if you have solar then you should be running your pump/chlorinator during solar generation hours.
Right-size your run time
Many pool owners run pumps 8–12 hours because that's what was set at installation. In cooler months, most residential pools need 4–6 hours. Reducing runtime by even 2 hours saves roughly $110/year. Also a well chemically balanced pool does not need to be cycled as much.
FAQ
How much does a pool cost to run per year?
It depends on your pump size, run time, and electricity rate. A common setup — 1.1kW pump running 8 hours/day at $0.38/kWh — costs around $1,200/year. Many pools can cut that by 30–50% by reducing unnecessary runtime. Together Energy's savings calculator at togethernrg.com can give you a personalised estimate.
Can I reduce pool energy costs without replacing my pump?
Yes. The three biggest wins are: reducing daily run time (most pools are over-filtered), shifting pump hours to off-peak tariff periods, and keeping water chemistry balanced so the pump doesn't need to compensate. TED by Together Energy automates all three.
What does TED do and how does it work?
TED (Together Energy Device) is a smart plug and app built by Together Energy. You plug it between your power point and your pool pump — no electrician needed. It tracks energy use in real time, guides your water testing, and automatically adjusts your pump schedule based on season and weather conditions. It costs $149 and comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Does TED work with any pool pump?
TED is compatible with any pump (or pump + chlorinator combination) that can operate with an external timer, which covers roughly 99% of residential setups. It supports up to 16A on standard 240V Australian power points.
How does pool energy relate to my household energy plan?
Your pool pump is often the single largest controllable load in your home after heating and cooling. If you're on a time-of-use energy plan, shifting pool pump hours to off-peak windows can save significantly — and this stacks on top of any runtime reductions. If you're also comparing energy plans using our EV or solar tools, factor in your pool load when evaluating which plan is cheapest overall.