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How many watts does a Pool Pump (1.5 HP) use?
Running watts
1,500 W
Starting watts
4,500 W
Startup surge
+3,000 W
A Pool Pump (1.5 HP) draws 1,500 watts continuously once it's running, but its motor needs a brief surge of up to 4,500 watts to start. A generator has to cover that starting surge, not just the running load, or the motor won't start. No manufacturer-published LRA found for pool pump motors — this figure remains a rough estimate, not real nameplate data.
Running it 8 hours/day costs roughly $61.20/month at the U.S. average residential rate (~$0.17/kWh, early 2026, per the EIA) — real rates vary a lot by state and utility. Use your own rate in the House calculator →
△ No published nameplate LRA rating exists for this appliance class — starting watts here is a rough estimate, not real motor nameplate data. See the full LRA reference →
Generators that can run this
- Westinghouse iGen45003,700 W run · 4,500 W start · ~$950
- Champion 3800-Watt Dual Fuel (201393)3,800 W run · 4,750 W start · ~$550
- Honda EM5000SX4,500 W run · 5,000 W start · ~$2,799
Prices as of July 2026 — check the current listing before buying.
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