Hot tubs are a dreamy, relaxing, social, fun, or intimate experience depending on what you’re looking for. But what about the practicalities? How Much Does It Cost To Run A Hot Tub?
Well, when it comes to cost, of course, we have to bear in mind the joys and pleasures that we’re paying for. Can you really put a cost on that kind of experience?
If your answer to that question is “yes, and I want it in pounds, please”, let’s see what we can do…
How Much Does It Cost To Run A Hot Tub? A Ballpark Figure
Before we get down into all the different maths we’ll need to do to work out the true cost of running a hot tub, let’s start with some ballpark figures. These should be enough for most people under most circumstances.
Back in mid-2022, the average cost of running a hot tub as stated by most manufacturers was around £1 to £1.30 per day. Though this may rise to £2-3 per day if energy prices are high at the time of reading this.
It’s a pretty good baseline to work from. If you need more detail though, let’s dive deeper.
How Much Is A Hot Tub To Run?
How much does a hot tub cost to run? It’s actually a bit more complicated to work out than you might think.
You will need to know a variety of things to work this out.
1) How Much The Water And Electricity Will Cost You
You can calculate this using the formulas:
- Energy cost = kilowatt hours used x your electricity rate per kilowatt hour
- Water cost = your hot tub capacity x number of water changes x your water rate
2) How Energy-Efficient Your Hot Tub Is
Older models of hot tubs aren’t as energy efficient as the newest high-end models. The insulation in older tubs will also tend to wear away, meaning more energy is required to heat the water in them and keep it hot.
To estimate your tub’s base efficiency, you can check your model description to see how powerful the heater is in kilowatts. If it’s very high, you’ve likely got a very inefficient model on your hands.
You should also check out the amount of insulation your hot tub has (or the insulation level of any you are thinking of purchasing). More insulation now will pay huge dividends when it comes to your energy bills later.
3) Your Usage
This is a tough one to measure precisely. The key figure is usually the temperature you like your tub to be set at. The hotter you like it, the more energy it will take to heat and keep hot.
But there’s also how long you keep the water jets active in each session and how often you plan to use your tub.
4) Your Local Climate Conditions
An often-overlooked factor in how much it costs to run a hot tub is the local climate. If it’s ummer or you’re in a warmer part of the world, it takes less energy to heat the water in your tub because the ambient temperature is higher.
5) Maintenance, Chlorine And Other Consumables
On top of the energy and water costs, there are some small ancillary costs usually in the form of some minor regular maintenance (that you should be able to handle yourself) such as adding chlorine to your hot tub and test kits that are vital if you want to keep your hot tub healthy.
How To Minimise The Cost Of Running A Hot Tub
There are a few simple steps you can take to minimise your hot tub energy use:
- Maintain your tub properly – keep the insulation and other components in good condition. Make sure you add the right quantities of chlorine and any other needed chemicals and change the filters when needed.
- Don’t neglect minor problems – it’s always better to put a small issue right now than have to pay to fix a big problem later.
- Keep your hot tub hot – it takes more energy to heat your hot tub the first time than it does to keep it warm. Use standby settings, the cover, and other features to minimise energy use.
All in all, any hot tubber will tell you how much it costs to run a hot tub pales by comparison to the joy and pleasure you’ll get from yours. There’s no need to waste energy though. Do what you can to use your tub cleverly if you want to get the best out of it for years to come.
Want More Totally Independent Hot Tub Advice Like This?
Sign up for our FREE gadgets and tips emails to get more advice from hot tubbers, for hot tubbers!