Keep your backyard pond healthy and clean without killing your electric bill by using an energy-efficient pond pump.
If you have a pond in your yard, then a pond pump is a must to prevent stagnation in your water because they:
- Uniformly distribute nutrients to aquatic life (fish, plants, etc.)
- Prevent harmful algae and mosquitoes
- Create a flow of oxygen on all levels of the water.
Why not try one of these pumps to help save power all summer? Here are a few links to my favorite pond pumps.
- TetraPond Debris Handling Pump
- Alpine PAL3100 Cyclone Pond Pump
- Sequence 5800SEQ21 External Pond Pump
In stagnant water, life-giving nutrients and food will sink to the bottom, causing an imbalance in the system. So the top half of your pond won’t have very good quality water for fish and plants, while the bottom will be oversaturated with these nutrients.
It is essential to distribute these nutrients throughout evenly.
Algae love growing in still water, and mosquitoes tend to lay their eggs in it. A pond pump will help create a water flow to prevent your pond’s water from becoming a festering breeding ground for these harmful pests and molds.
For the same reason as evenly distributing nutrients, oxygen is just as vital to allocate in your pond correctly. Steady oxygen flows throughout will benefit your aquatic life and help keep your water clean.
Providing your pond with a pump is crucial for the overall health of your curated ecosystem.
However, if this pump is going to be running, you will probably want the most energy-efficient pond pump you can find. Luckily, we have you covered in that department.
Given that most pond pumps run 24/7, it’s fair to assume that they will consume a lot of power per year and become a hefty addition to the energy bill.
And it’s true. It could cost hundreds to thousands of dollars a year to manage a pond, but you’re going to have to because, as we’ve previously stated, stagnant water is the worst thing for your pond.
Luckily, some pumps don’t require as much energy as others but still have some pretty decent power.
We’ve compiled a list of the most energy-efficient, reliable pond pumps, as well as some commonly asked questions about the energy usage of pond pumps below.
6 Low Wattage High Volume Pond Pumps
We’ve done our research for you, so you don’t have to scour the web to find the right pond pump. These are the best energy-efficient pond pumps of 2022.
1. TetraPond Debris Handling Pump
- CONTINUOUS-OPERATION POND PUMP: For powering pond waterfalls and streams with rugged debris-handling impeller that can pass debris up to 1/4 inch in diameter.
- CLOG-FREE PERFORMANCE: Large basket minimizes blockage and maintenance.
- ENERGY EFFICIENT: Unidirectional impeller and motor.
- WEAR-RESISTANT: Motor has anti-corrosive ceramic shaft for longer life.
- SIZED FOR YOUR POND: For ponds up to 4,000 gallons.
- age range description: All Life Stages
- material type: cotton
The TetraPond Debris Handling Pump is an excellent low-energy, convenient pond pump due to its simple maintenance and exponential performance.
It has a practical design to work clog-free in large amounts of water for long periods. It’s also made so that the pre-filter cage prevents fish and other living creatures from getting caught in the impeller.
There are two TetraPond Debris Handling Pump models: the DHP 3600 and the DHP 4200. The DHP 3600 works for ponds up to 3000 gallons with an output of only 199 watts max. On the other hand, the DHP 4200 has a slightly higher output of 233 watts but also works for ponds up to 4000 gallons.
Despite its low energy output, it still has high performance without overbearing in smaller ponds.
Furthermore, it does as its description suggests and catches all of your pond’s debris with little to no clogging. This is important for how long your pump will work and how well it’ll do its job.
It’s also easily detachable and straightforward to clean. This, combined with its low energy output and minimal maintenance, makes it ideal for keeping your pond clean effortlessly while avoiding a costly expense on the energy bill.
2. Fish Mate Pond Pump
- Strainer filter – less prone to blockage and easier to clean than conventional foam filters
- Ceramic shaft bearings and superior rotor design for long service life
- Maximum flow rate: 1,080 gallons per hour / Maximum head: 2.9m (9’ 6”)
- Single control knob adjusts flow to fountain and waterfall/filter - Includes fountain set with 4 options.
- 3 Year Warranty Guaran
The Fish Mate Pond Pump is a highly energy-efficient pond pump with a lot of power to boot.
It has perfect functionality for small to medium-sized ponds and does precisely as the name entails: it works well with fish. It captures large, harmful debris while allowing smaller particles to run through, creating a healthy ecosystem in your pond for aquatic life.
Another significant aspect of this pond pump is its longevity. The pump seems to last 4-5 years on average (sometimes longer, occasionally less).
The Fish Mate Pond Pump only has 70 watts and only has a few downsides. Its first main problem is losing its water flow efficiency for larger ponds. This isn’t a problem for smaller ponds, but if you have a large pool of water, you may want to consider a different model.
The second issue is that it is suitable for catching large debris but lets smaller debris passes through it. Again, this isn’t a significant problem because it will keep your pond relatively healthy, but it is something to consider.
3. Alpine PAL3100 Cyclone Pond Pump
- PROFESSIONAL POND WATER PUMP: Submersible water pump keeps water always flowing and works on land or fully submerged in water. Perfect for ponds, fountains, waterfalls and filtration systems!
- DURABLE PUMP CONSTRUCTION: Oil-free design with ceramic impeller shafts provides a reliable, long-lasting fountain water pump that resists damage, keeps water flowing, and has a GPH of 3100
- ENERGY SAVING WATER PUMP: Features an energy-saving design that will save you money, while providing an eco-friendly and efficient water pump system thats good for the environment
- EASY INSTALLATION: Pump can be used vertically or horizontally for convenient placement in your pond, and has a 33 long cord for easy placement and accessibility
- EASY MAINTENANCE AND IDEAL SIZE: Includes a large pre-filter for easy disassembly and ease of replacement, and pump measures 10.8L x 6.1 W x 8.9H for use in ponds up to 33 w
The Alpine PAL3100 Cyclone Pond Pump has a pretty low average power usage compared to some of the other pond pumps on this list (about 100 watts per 1000 gallons depending on the model) but has exceptional performance and works for larger ponds.
What’s great about this one is that it’s simple to install, has very light maintenance, and reliably does its job. The water flow is pretty even all around, and the amount of debris caught inside it is minimal.
That said, you will have to regularly clean it to avoid clogging, but this is quickly done, and it works better than most pond pumps in this regard.
While it can be used in smaller bodies of water such as fountains and small ponds, it’s ideal for larger amounts of water, especially if the pond has fish.
5. Aquascape AquaForce Asynchronous Pump
- Ideal for ponds, pond less Waterfalls, and other water feature applications; pumps up to 2, 149 gallons per hour (GPH)
- Protective pre-filter cage and wide, flat base allows the pump to be placed directly into the pond
- Energy-efficient asynchronous pump design more powerful than traditional magnetically driven pond pumps
- Comes complete with fittings; rotational ball output allows discharge position to be easily adjusted
- Measures 14 x 14 x 6. 5 inches (L x W x H); 20-foot power cord; 3-year limi
The Aquascape AquaForce Asynchronous Pump is a powerful, low-power pond pump with a wide variety of sizes ranging from models that pump 1000 gallons of water per hour to models that do over 8000.
We want to reiterate its main feature: powerful water flows with low usage. In this regard, the pump delivers with only about 50 watts per 1000 gallons an hour. As a result, it’s probably the most powerful, most energy-efficient pond pump on this list.
There is one slight issue with this pump we’d like to point out – it does not work well with ponds that have a large amount of debris as it gets clogged quite easily. Ideally, this pump is best used in tree-free, debris-free ponds and is otherwise a great option.
6. Jebao Pond and Waterfall Pump
- Great for ponds, streams, and extra large fountains and waterfalls
- Max flow rate: 5200gph (20000L/hour) Max head: 26 ft.
- Tubing Connector: 3/4 to 1-1/2
- 120v/60hz 450w, Dimensions: 9.7(L) x 6(W) x 7.6(H)
- Use horizontally or vertically, underwater o
The Jebao Pond and Waterfall Pump is another pump with an extensive range of models ranging from models that pump 1000 gallons of water per hour to models that do well over 12,000 gallons.
It’s pretty energy efficient and has decent power, but what makes the Jebao Pond and Waterfall Pump stand out from the rest is its versatility and utility. In addition to its wide range of gallon pumping capabilities, this pump can be widely used in ponds, pools, creaks, fountains, and waterfalls.
It’s safe for fish, has a long cord, and captures small debris effectively. If you do have fish, though, you will probably need an aerator.
While its functionality and performance are relatively good, its quality is slightly lacking, and without proper maintenance, it can fail.
Other than that, this pond pump is a solid choice, and we recommend it for most ponds.
7. Sequence 5800SEQ21 External Pond Pump
- 3 Year Manufacturers Warranty
- Made in the USA
- All 4000 series models are supplied complete with 2FNPT and buttress thread ports and unions
- All units are supplied with an 8-foot 115V cordset
- Strainer assembly sold separat
The Sequence External Pond Pump is expensive but does its job outstandingly.
Its energy efficiency is about 300 watts for 5800 gallons of water, which the manufacturer claims to run you for about $0.70 a day. However, after you get past its hefty purchasing price, its cost efficiency is good, and the quality of the machine is equally exceptional.
It pumps water well, rarely ever clogs, works perfectly fine with fish, and doesn’t break, making it one of the best pond pumps for 24/7 continuous running.
Other notable features are that it’s quiet (something to consider if you’re running your pump 24/7) and can work deep underwater (21-40 ft depending on the model).
Overall, while the Sequence 5800SEQ21 External Pond Pump may be the most pricey on the list, it’s the highest quality to compensate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about pond pumps and their energy usage:
Does a Pond Pump Use a Lot of Electricity?
It depends on how long it runs and the model, but in general, not as much as you might expect. For example, let’s take the Sequence 5800SEQ21 External Pond pump, which claims to cost about 70 cents per day, which is only about $255 a year of continuous, 24/7 running.
Overall this isn’t bad, but it will add considerably to your electric bill. To be put into perspective, a household runs about 10,000 KWH a year. So a pond pump that continually runs at 300 watts per hour will generate about 2,500 kWh a year.
How Do I Get Electricity to My Pump?
Most pond pumps are connected via an electric cord. You may need an extension cord to reach your nearest outlet, depending on the size. Most of the pumps on this list have a power cord extending at least 20 feet and are buried underground.
Some pumps are also battery-powered, but this is pretty uncommon.
How Big of a Pump Do I Need for My Pond?
This depends on the size of your pond in gallons. Most manufacturers have the maximum gallon capacity a pump can handle either in the name of the product or its description.
A koi pond, for example, typically is 25 feet long, runs 4 feet deep, and requires a pump that can do around 1000 gallons of water per hour.
Compare the size of your pond to the specifications of each product to find the best fit for you.
Where Do I Position the Pump?
Once again, this depends on the specific product.
Most pumps are entirely submerged, but some run along the surface. In general, it’s best to place your pond pump at the bottom of your pond near the center. That way, it will have the evenest distribution of water flow.
Be sure to read the instructions on your particular model for any special instructions.
Are There Different Types of Pond Pumps?
Yes, there are two different pond pumps based on how they attach to your pond. In addition, there are non-submersible and submersible pond pumps. Depending on your pond layout and style, you’ll be choosing one over the other.
Do I Need to Run My Water Pump Continuously?
Not technically, but the more you run it, the better your water quality. If your pond is small and has minimal debris, then you don’t need to run it every second of the day, but you still need to run it most of the time.
If you have fish and other aquatic life, it’s a good idea to have a continuously running, low power output pump to keep their living space in the best possible condition. The water flow is necessary to keep the water filtered and even distribute oxygen on all levels.
If you don’t have life to take care of and would like to save a few bucks on your energy bill, then consider putting your pond pump on a timer throughout the day and night.
Energy Efficient Pond Pump Recommendation
Pond pumps add a soothing aesthetic to your ponds and are necessary to keep them clean and healthy, but we don’t always like to break the bank on them – especially the cost to run them 24/7. Thus, we hope this list can give you a few viable options.
Why not try one of these pumps to help save power all summer? Here are a few links to my favorite pond pumps.
- TetraPond Debris Handling Pump
- Alpine PAL3100 Cyclone Pond Pump
- Sequence 5800SEQ21 External Pond Pump
What Is the Most Efficient Pond Pump?
As for which pond pumps we recommend most would have to be the TetraPond Handling Debris Pond Pump.
For its low price point and the minimal amount of watts it uses per hour, it’s by far the best option, not just efficiency-wise, but in maintenance and utility.
It can handle most pond sizes, effectively filters debris in your pond, protects fish from its impeller, and has a pretty good water flow overall. Additionally, it’s simple to use, easy to clean, and our favorite choice on this list.
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