Much less than most people expect. Our high-pressure misting pumps use between 0.25 and 7 litres of water per minute at full capacity, depending on the size of the pump. Our smallest residential pump uses about 15 litres an hour. A standard garden hose can use 10 to 15 litres every minute.
So an afternoon of misting on a typical home system uses less water than a few minutes with the hose. Here are the numbers by pump, how to work out your own use, and what it actually costs to run a system.
Water Use by Pump Size
The figures below are each pump's maximum flow rate, which is the most water it can use when it runs flat out. In real use the figure is usually lower, because most systems run on timed cycles rather than nonstop.
| Pump | Max flow rate | Per hour at full output |
|---|---|---|
| EasyMist 25 and EcoMist-25 | 0.25 L/min | 15 L |
| Easy Mist 50 and EcoMist-50 | 0.5 L/min | 30 L |
| EcoMist 50i | 0.2 to 0.7 L/min | 12 to 42 L |
| MistPro-100 | 1 L/min | 60 L |
| MistPro-150 | 1.5 L/min | 90 L |
| MistPro-200 | 2 L/min | 120 L |
| MistPro-300 | 3 L/min | 180 L |
| MistPro-400 | 4 L/min | 240 L |
| MistPro-500 | 5 L/min | 300 L |
| MistPro-600 | 6 L/min | 360 L |
| MistPro-700 | 7 L/min | 420 L |
| Garden hose (for comparison) | 10 to 15 L/min | 600 to 900 L |
Even our largest commercial pump, running flat out for a full hour, uses less water than a garden hose does in 45 minutes.
Why High-Pressure Misting Uses So Little
It comes down to droplet size. Our pumps push water through precision nozzles at up to 1,000 psi, breaking it into droplets as small as 8 to 10 microns. Droplets that small flash evaporate, and that's where the cooling comes from.
Because almost all of the water turns into vapour in the air, very little is wasted. It doesn't run off the deck or soak into the lawn. Low-pressure systems that run off a garden tap work differently. They produce bigger droplets that often fall before they evaporate, so more of the water ends up on the ground.
How to Work Out Your Own Water Use
To estimate it:
- Find your pump's flow rate in litres per minute (see the table above).
- Multiply it by 60 to get litres per hour.
- Multiply that by the number of hours you run the system.
For example, a MistPro-100 running at full output for a four-hour afternoon uses about 240 litres. A garden hose would use the same amount in roughly 16 to 24 minutes.
If you use a timed cycle, your real figure will be lower again. A system set to mist on and off through the afternoon only uses water while it's misting.
Are Misting Systems Wasteful?
No. A well-designed high-pressure system is one of the most water-efficient ways to cool an outdoor space. You're using a small, controlled amount of water to drop the temperature by up to 10°C in the misted area.
There are a few ways to keep water use as low as possible:
- Use the timing settings. Depending on the model, our pumps run preset programmes or cyclic timing, so the system mists on and off instead of nonstop. The MistPro range adds app control, so you can schedule sessions for the hottest part of the day.
- Size the system to the space. More nozzles than the area needs means more water without much extra comfort.
- Mist only the zones you're using. The EcoMist 50i can run separate misting zones, so you can cool the patio without misting the pool area at the same time.
- Keep the nozzles in good condition. A dripping or worn nozzle wastes water and doesn't cool properly. Our anti-drip nozzles shut off cleanly when the pump stops, so the line doesn't dribble between cycles.
- Switch it off when the space is empty. It sounds obvious, but scheduling makes it easy.
If you're in an area with water restrictions, check your local council or water authority's current rules before you run any outdoor water system.
Can You Run a Misting System on Tank Water?
Yes, as long as the water is filtered. The low flow rate means a misting system draws very little from a rainwater tank compared with garden watering.
Filtration is what makes it work. Tank water can carry sediment, and bore water can be high in minerals, and both will block the fine misting nozzles without a good filter. Our 4-stage water filters are built for this job and handle flow rates up to 4 litres per minute.
What Does It Cost to Run a Misting System?
Running costs are low. They come from three places:
- Water. You pay for water by the kilolitre (1,000 litres). Using the example above, a four-hour afternoon on a MistPro-100 at full output uses about a quarter of a kilolitre. On our smallest pumps, a full afternoon uses about 60 litres. Check your water bill for your local price per kilolitre.
- Electricity. The pump is the only part that uses power. There's no compressor or refrigerant like an air conditioner.
- Filters and maintenance. Plan to replace filter cartridges every 6 to 12 months and check the pump and pressure settings once a year.
For a full breakdown of what a system costs to buy and install, see how much a misting system costs, visit our high-pressure misting systems page or browse pump kits in our online shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water does a misting system use?
A high-pressure misting system uses between 0.25 and 7 litres per minute at full capacity, depending on the pump. That's 15 litres an hour for our smallest residential pump and 420 litres an hour for our largest commercial pump. Timed cycles bring real use down further.
How much water does a mister use per hour?
Our residential pumps use around 15 to 180 litres per hour at full output. A garden hose uses around 600 to 900 litres in the same hour.
Are misting systems wasteful?
No. High-pressure systems turn almost all of their water into fine mist that evaporates in the air, so very little is lost to run-off. Timers, zoning and correctly sized systems keep water use low.
What does it cost to run a misting system?
Very little. The main running costs are a small amount of water, power for the pump, replacement filter cartridges every 6 to 12 months and a yearly pump check.
Want help sizing a system that keeps water use low? Contact us or call 07 4946 4702.