How many watts does a Well Pump (1/2 HP) use?

A Well Pump (1/2 HP) draws 1,000 watts continuously once it's running, but its motor needs a brief surge of up to 7,400 watts to start. A generator has to cover that starting surge, not just the running load, or the motor won't start. 1/2 HP submersible well pump motors are conventionally 115V. Based on a Franklin Electric nameplate (10A FLA / 64.4A LRA) — 64.4A × 115V. This is roughly 3.5x the previous estimate; submersible well pump motors have a genuinely severe locked-rotor surge, which is exactly why a well pump is a common reason an undersized generator won't start.

Running it 3 hours/day costs roughly $15.30/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 →

Generators that can run this

• Champion 8500-Watt Electric Start Inverter (100719)
  7,000 W run · 8,500 W start · ~$2,129
• Champion 8500-Watt Electric Start Dual Fuel Inverter (201175)
  7,000 W run · 8,500 W start · ~$1,799
• Champion 7500-Watt Dual Fuel (201281)
  7,500 W run · 9,375 W start · ~$1,150

Prices as of July 2026 — check the current listing before buying.