Electric rates around Calcasieu Parish
Entergy Louisiana serves Lake Charles; its Goos Ferry substation, for example, feeds customers in Gillis, Moss Bluff and north and east Lake Charles (Entergy). Parts of the parish are on other utilities, so check your own bill. The Louisiana Public Service Commission's August 2026 comparison puts a 1,000 kWh Entergy Louisiana bill at $139.67 on the former Gulf States schedule and $139.79 on the legacy Louisiana schedule, including riders (LPSC). That is close to 14¢ a kWh.
EIA's statewide figure for August 2026 is 12.87¢, against 18.16¢ for the country (EIA). Lower power prices help the pump bill here. Each 100 kWh of pool equipment adds about $14 to an Entergy bill (our arithmetic from the LPSC figure).
What each piece of equipment costs to run
| Equipment | Monthly cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Variable-speed pump | $30–80 (River Pools) | Runs slowly most of the day, faster for cleaning |
| Heat pump, while in use | $100–400 (River Pools) | Depends on target temperature and nights |
| ENERGY STAR pump vs standard | About $50 a year saved (ENERGY STAR) | Certified pumps use about 20% less energy |
| Water added to the pool | $3–20 (Fixr) | Rain covers much of it here |
Ranges checked 4 November 2026. Your own pool size, shade and run schedule set the real number.
ENERGY STAR also notes that cutting a pump's speed in half cuts its energy use to about one-eighth (ENERGY STAR), so a long, slow run is the cheap way to filter. Our gunite guide has This Old House's figures for routine care over ten years.
Pool service: weekly, monthly or yourself
| Option | Typical cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly service | $20–50 a week ($1,040–2,600 a year) | Testing, chemicals, skimming, brushing |
| Monthly visit | $30–90 a month | A check-up between your own cleaning |
| Do it yourself | Chemicals and your time | A test kit, a brush and a weekly habit |
Service ranges from Fixr (updated January 2025).
With highs of 82°F or more from May to October at the airport, the pool works hard for half the year, and many owners hire help just for that stretch. Ask any service how they handle storm clean-up: after Laura and Delta, repair crews were booked for months (see hurricanes and timing).
Water: filling and keeping it full
The City of Lake Charles bills water from 1155 Ryan Street, (337) 491-1307, and asks new residential accounts for a $50 deposit (City of Lake Charles). Its rate sheet is not posted online, so call before the first fill and ask whether pool water is billed for sewer too. Outside the city, ask your water district.
About 60 in of rain a year keeps most pools topped up here (NOAA). In dry spells, a cover is the cheapest fix: EPA WaterSense says one can prevent up to 95% of evaporation (EPA). If the level keeps falling in wet weather, suspect a leak; on our water-table page you will see why lowering a pool to find it is a job for the builder.
Where the savings are
- A variable-speed pump on a long, low schedule
- A cover in the cooler months and dry spells
- A heat pump only if you will really swim in March and November
- Fixing small leaks before they become big water bills
- Keeping the water balanced, so the finish and equipment last longer
Common questions
How much does a pool add to an Entergy Louisiana bill?
About $14 for every 100 kWh, using the LPSC's August 2026 Entergy Louisiana bill of about $140 for 1,000 kWh (LPSC). River Pools puts a variable-speed pump at $30–80 a month (River Pools).
What does weekly pool service cost in Lake Charles?
National ranges run $20–50 a week, or $1,040–2,600 a year, and monthly check-ups $30–90 (Fixr). Ask local services for a summer-only plan.
Does a pool heater make sense here?
Only for stretching the season. A heat pump costs about $100–400 a month while it runs (River Pools), and highs already reach 85°F by May (NOAA).
Sources & further reading
- LPSC: residential electric bill comparison (Aug 2026). Entergy Louisiana bill at 1,000 kWh
- EIA Electric Power Monthly, table 5.6.A (Aug 2026 data). Louisiana and US averages
- Entergy: Goos Ferry substation, Calcasieu Parish (Nov 2022). Service area
- River Pools: monthly electrical costs (Mar 2026). Pump and heat pump
- Fixr: pool maintenance cost (Jan 2025). Service and water
- ENERGY STAR: pool pumps. Certified pump savings
- City of Lake Charles: water service. Billing office, deposit
- EPA WaterSense: pool water efficiency (Mar 2026). Covers
- NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lake Charles. Rain and highs
Editorial note: General planning information, not engineering or legal advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rules with your local officials and a qualified pro.