How much does a aquarium (heater + pump) cost to run?

Aquarium heaters and pumps together draw 100–500 watts depending on tank size and type. Freshwater aquariums with simple filtration use less; saltwater systems with advanced equipment use substantially more.

Typical running cost (18.83¢/kWh, U.S. average, 2026-04)

BasisCost
Per hour (while running, 100 W typical)$0.019
Per day (24 h/day, 7/7 days)$0.45
Per month$13.76
Per year$165.06
Hourly range (small 50 W – large 200 W)$0.009 – $0.038
Save: Use an adjustable thermostat and insulate the tank sides to reduce heating cycles, especially in cool rooms.

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