How Much Does It Cost to Run a Home Snowmaking System?

How to Estimate the Cost of Home Snowmaking

To calculate the cost of running your system, you need to account for:

• Electricity or gas to power your compressor and pressure washer

• Water usage based on your system’s GPM (gallons per minute)

• Run time (how long you're making snow)

Let’s dive into each one.

Electricity Cost

Electric snowmaking setups usually involve an electric pressure washer and an air compressor. To estimate your electricity cost, use this formula:

Watt Rating × Hours ÷ 1000 × Electricity Rate (per kWh)

For example, using a Ryobi 1.2 GPM Pressure Washer (1500 watts) for 8 hours at $0.12/kWh:

1500 × 8 ÷ 1000 × 0.12 = $1.44

For a Rigid 5.3 CFM @ 90 PSI Air Compressor (1740 watts):

1740 × 8 ÷ 1000 × 0.12 = $1.67

Total for 8 hours = $3.11 (~$0.39/hour)

These numbers will vary depending on your local energy rate and equipment.

Water Cost

Water prices vary by city. As an example, in a Utah city where our warehouse is located:

• Base Rate: $16.49

• Usage over 9,000 gallons: ~$5.06 per 1,000 gallons

Let’s look at the Ryobi 1.2 GPM Pressure Washer again:

1.2 GPM × 60 minutes × 8 hours = 576 gallons used

Adding this to a typical family’s monthly water use (~12,000 gallons), this would increase the water bill by about $2.56 per 8-hour run.

Simple rule: Water costs about $0.30–$0.40 per hour per GPM. So a 2 GPM system costs ~$0.70/hour in water.

Gas Cost (for gas-powered equipment)

If you're using a gas-powered compressor or pressure washer, expect to pay about $0.75–$1.50 per hour depending on engine size and fuel price. Since gas equipment is less common in residential snowmaking, we'll keep this estimate simple.

Summary of Estimated Operating Costs

Conclusion

Running a home snowmaking system is more affordable than most people think. For as little as $0.50–$2.50 per hour, you can transform your backyard into a winter wonderland. Whether you're making snow for fun, sledding, or events, Backyard Snowstorm systems are designed to be efficient, powerful, and cost-effective.