Water features are great for a tranquil display in your garden or outdoor space – but how much does it cost to run a water feature? At a time of soaring energy bills, this is a key consideration, so we’ve put together this guide to help you understand how you can create your garden oasis without draining your wallet.
How much electricity does a garden water feature use?
A water feature requires power in the form of electricity used to power the pump, hence the amount of power a water feature requires is tied to the strength of the pump. While water features do also need to be periodically topped up with water, this is normally a negligible cost except in the case of very large fountains too big to fit in your average garden.
How to reduce the cost of running a water feature
There are numerous ways to save money on water features. One key thing to do is to put your water feature on a timer. Plug timers are easily available and allow you to only have your water feature active at times when people will be around to enjoy it, saving you considerably on your bills.
Another thing to consider is, as mentioned above, pump power – don’t purchase a powerful pump if you only need a less powerful pump to run your fountain, as this will needlessly increase your energy bills. At Primrose, nearly all our water features are self-contained and come with a suitable pump so you can be sure you’ll be getting the best fit.
The life of the pump is also a factor. At Primrose, all our pumps come with at least a one year warranty, but the pump will last considerably longer than this if it is looked after. A key consideration here is to ensure the pump only runs while submerged, so keeping your water feature topped up, especially during the hot summer months, is vital. Replacing a pump is another cost that can be avoided, it is also important to use clear water in your fountain and remove any leaves or blossoms that fall into the water, to prevent clogging up the pump. In the case of pond pumps, regular cleaning of the pump is also helpful, as these pumps will filter out large impurities, but the entry will have to be cleaned out from time to time.
What about Solar Water Features?
If you want to dispense with electricity costs entirely, a solar water feature might be for you. At Primrose we have a large range of these to choose from, and while running on solar does limit the strength of the pump and hence the size of the fountain they are still a very popular and economical option.
Whatever you decide, it’s hard to put a price on garden tranquillity, and water features are not nearly as expensive to purchase or run as you might think. Go on, your garden deserves a Primrose fountain. Find out more about Water Features in our ‘How Do Water Features Work?’ guide.