How much does Hydro Ottawa charge per kWh and what does that mean for pool pump costs?

Hydro Ottawa charges residential customers approximately $0.10 to $0.17 per kWh depending on the time of use, and running a pool pump costs most Ottawa homeowners $40 to $120 per month during the swim season based on pump type, daily run time, and how well you take advantage of off-peak electricity rates. Understanding Hydro Ottawa's rate structure is essential for managing pool operating costs because the pump is by far the largest electricity consumer in your pool system.

Hydro Ottawa uses Ontario's Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing, which charges different rates depending on when you consume electricity. As of the current rate period, the three tiers are: off-peak at $0.074 per kWh (weekdays 7 PM to 7 AM, plus all day on weekends and holidays), mid-peak at $0.122 per kWh (weekdays 11 AM to 5 PM in summer), and on-peak at $0.151 per kWh (weekdays 7 AM to 11 AM and 5 PM to 7 PM in summer). Note that summer and winter TOU periods have different mid-peak and on-peak windows — the rates above reflect the May-through-October summer schedule that aligns with pool season. On top of the energy charge, you also pay delivery charges, regulatory charges, and HST, which effectively add $0.04 to $0.06 per kWh to your total cost, bringing the all-in rate to roughly $0.11 to $0.21 per kWh depending on time of use.

Hydro Ottawa also offers an Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) rate plan, which can benefit pool owners significantly. Under ULO pricing, electricity consumed between 11 PM and 7 AM costs only $0.028 per kWh — roughly one-fifth of the on-peak TOU rate. The trade-off is that daytime rates under ULO are higher: $0.242 per kWh during the weekday afternoon peak and $0.102 per kWh during mid-peak hours. If you can program your pool pump to run primarily overnight, the ULO plan can cut your pool electricity costs by 40 to 60 percent compared to running the pump during the day on TOU pricing. You can switch between TOU and ULO plans by contacting Hydro Ottawa — there is no fee to switch, and you can change plans twice per calendar year.

The biggest factor in your pool pump electricity cost is whether you have a single-speed, dual-speed, or variable-speed pump. A traditional single-speed pump — still found on many older Ottawa pools installed before 2015 — draws 1.5 to 2.5 horsepower and consumes roughly 1.1 to 1.8 kW continuously while running. Running a 1.5 HP single-speed pump for 8 hours per day at the average blended TOU rate of $0.13 per kWh costs approximately $1.15 to $1.87 per day, or $35 to $56 per month just for the pump. Running it for 12 hours per day — common during peak summer when algae growth is aggressive — pushes the cost to $52 to $84 per month.

A variable-speed pump is the single most cost-effective upgrade an Ottawa pool owner can make. Variable-speed pumps adjust their motor speed to match the actual flow requirement, running at low speed (800 to 1,500 RPM) for daily filtration and ramping up to full speed only when needed for vacuuming, spa jets, or water features. At low speed, a variable-speed pump draws only 0.2 to 0.5 kW — roughly one-quarter to one-sixth the electricity of a single-speed pump doing the same filtration job. A variable-speed pump running at low speed for 12 hours per day costs approximately $0.31 to $0.78 per day, or $9 to $23 per month. The upfront cost of a variable-speed pump is $1,200 to $2,500 installed (compared to $600 to $1,200 for a single-speed replacement), but the electricity savings of $30 to $60 per month during the 5-month Ottawa swim season pay back the premium within 2 to 3 seasons.

Beyond the pump, other pool equipment adds to your Hydro Ottawa bill but at much smaller increments. A pool heater blower (for gas heaters) draws minimal electricity. Salt chlorine generators draw 0.2 to 0.5 kW while operating, adding $5 to $15 per month. Automatic pool cleaners (pressure-side or robotic) add $5 to $20 per month depending on type and daily run time. LED pool lights are negligible at $0.50 to $2.00 per month for typical evening use. In total, a fully equipped Ottawa pool system (pump, salt generator, automatic cleaner, lights) consumes $50 to $150 per month in electricity during swim season with a single-speed pump, or $25 to $70 per month with a variable-speed pump.

To minimize your pool's impact on your Hydro Ottawa bill, program your pump timer to run primarily during off-peak or overnight hours. Most pool equipment pads have a dedicated 240-volt circuit with a time clock or digital timer that can be set to any schedule. Running the pump from 9 PM to 9 AM captures the lowest TOU rates (or ULO overnight rates if you have switched plans) while still providing 12 hours of daily filtration. The only reason to run the pump during the day is if you are actively swimming and want the skimmers pulling surface debris, or if you are running a robotic cleaner that requires pump circulation. A secondary 2-to-3-hour daytime run during mid-peak hours handles these needs without pushing much consumption into the expensive on-peak window.

Monitoring Your Pool's Electricity Consumption

Hydro Ottawa's MyAccount portal and mobile app provide hourly consumption data that lets you see exactly how much electricity your pool equipment uses. Compare your daily consumption on days when the pool pump runs versus days when it does not (such as during spring before you open the pool) to isolate the pool's contribution. Some Ottawa homeowners install a dedicated sub-meter or smart plug on their pool equipment circuit to track consumption in real time — devices like the Emporia Vue or Sense monitor cost $100 to $300 and connect to your phone via Wi-Fi.

Want to optimize your pool's energy costs with the right pump and equipment choices? Ottawa Pool Installation connects homeowners with local pool professionals who can assess your current setup and recommend the most cost-effective upgrades for Ottawa's electricity rate structure.