Do you have a cat? If so, you know that they love water. In fact, many cats love to drink from running water sources, which is why a cat water fountain can be a great addition to your home. But did you know that these fountains use electricity? In this blog post, we will take a look at how much electricity different types of cat water fountains use and help you find the best one for your needs!
Most cat water fountains are electric and depending on the brand will use about 1.5 – 2.5 watts per hour. This equates to about the same amount of power a 60 watt light bulb uses in an hour, which will cost you about 10 – 12 cents /kilowatt hr, depending on where you live.
If you’ve been considering buying a cat fountain, it’s normal to wonder how it will affect your electricity bill. After all, with the rising costs of energy, every little bit counts!
But don’t worry – cat water fountains consume very little electricity. In fact, most power-hungry models will only set you back about $12 a year in electricity costs.
That said, if you’re looking for an especially eco-friendly option, there are some battery-operated cat water fountains to consider.
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Let’s take a closer look at how much electricity it will use, things to consider, and how to determine how much the fountain you’re interested in will use.
Are All Cat Fountains Electric?
As mentioned most pet drinking fountains are electric, meaning they need to be plugged into a 110-volt household outlet to function. The 12 Volt transformer and the pump are responsible for; cleaning the water, and providing clean fresh flowing water for your pet.
If you’re looking for a fountain that doesn’t require any cords, there are a few battery-operated options on the market (although they might not be as popular as electric models). These fountains usually run on either 18650, AAA, or D-cell batteries, making it more expensive to replace the batteries more often.
That said, some battery-powered cat fountains are extremely popular. One that comes to mind is the Petmate Fresh Flow Rain Battery Fountain for Cats and Dogs, 75 oz. It is great for households that don’t have an extra outlet to use.
How Much Electricity Does A Cat Water Fountain Use?
The amount of electricity used by any given fountain is directly related to how many features it has and how powerful its motor is. More elaborate fountains with multiple streams of water and spinning blades use more power than those with fewer features.
For example, the Cat Water Fountain, 2L Automatic Dog Water Dispenser Electric Water Drinking Fountain with 2 Replacement Filters & 3 Sponge Foams for Cats Dogs Multiple Pets111 with 3 water flow settings, low water indicator light, and ultra-quiet pump consumes only 1.5 watts. Which isn’t much, considering a 42″ screen LED TV uses a minimum of 58 watts.
That said, if using an electric cord to power the fountain, make sure it’s a short cord. The longer the extension cord, the more power it takes to run the appliance. Pet fountain manufacturers recommend setting the fountain near an outlet, without using an extension cord.
Even if you have an automatic feeder with the fountain, you won’t notice a huge jump in your monthly bill.
This formula will help you determine how much electricity a pet fountain uses. Then you can determine how much it will cost you monthly, based on your electric company’s price per kWh.
Formula
Watts * hours used per day * days used per year = Kilowatts/hour consumption (kWh)
How Much Does It Cost to Run A Cat Water Fountain?
Once you know how many kWh per month, look at your last electric bill to find out the price per kWh. If you can’t find it, this website lists the average rates per kilowatt per hour according to different states.
Based on the electric prices on the table, a cat fountain is extremely inexpensive, even if it stays plugged in at all times.
How Many Amps Does A Cat Drinking Fountain Have?
As mentioned above, pet fountains will vary but most will use between 1.5 – 2.5 watts per hour, which is much less than any household appliance.
How A Cat Fountain Compares to Other Household Appliances
If you’re like me, you’re a visual person and comprehend better when you can see a table.
Below is a table of the most popular household appliances and the typical power consumption of each.
| Appliance | Minimum | Maximum | Standby |
| 100 W Light Bulb | 100W | 100 Watts | 0 Watts |
| Air Fryer | 1500 Watts | 1500 Watts | N/A |
| Amazon Echo | 3W | 3W | 2 Watts |
| Ceiling Fan | 60 Watts | 70 Watts | N/A |
| Apple TV 4K | 3.03W | 5.58 Watts | 0.30 Watts |
| Clock Radio | 1 Watt | 2 Watts | N/A |
| Clothes Dryer | 1000W | 4000W | N/A |
| Refrigerator | 100W | 220W | N/A |
| Laptop Computer | 50W | 100W | N/A |
As you can see from the table above, a clock radio uses the same electricity as a cat fountain. A clock is left plugged in daily, and you haven’t noticed it using too much electricity, and you won’t notice a huge difference when using a cat fountain.
Do Fountain Pumps Use A Lot of Electricity?
No, the fountain pump that powers the fountain won’t consume a lot of electricity, even if it is left on all the time. The pump won’t exert more energy, even if the fountain is dirtier than normal. That said, a dirty fountain will cause the pump to work harder or become clogged.
Clean the fountain on a regular basis to ensure the pump works properly and doesn’t overexert itself.
Final Word
A cat water fountain uses very little electricity that won’t have a big impact on your monthly electric bill. Once you consider the benefits of using a cat fountain, it’ll be a no-brainer. Your cat will love the fresh flowing water, and you’ll love not having to clean up dirty water bowls all the time!
There are many types of cat fountains and each use different amounts of electricity.
To find out how much your chosen fountain will use, look for a model’s wattage listed on the package or online. Most electric models consume between 1.5 – 2.5 watts per hour.
If you choose a battery-operated model, it will consume more electricity, as it will need to be recharged regularly.
Running a cat water fountain costs very little in comparison to other appliances in your home and is well worth the investment for both you and your pet!
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Sources
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/estimating-appliance-and-home-electronic-energy-use
https://www.daftlogic.com/information-appliance-power-consumption.htm