How much does It cost to run a hot tub is the most common question that potential hot tub customers ask us. So, we have created this article to answer this question and help you make your purchase decision.
Power consumption is the largest cost to operating a hot tub because you need to heat the water. However, the cost of electricity depends on your location and the type of supply (e.g. single phase, off-peak, solar generated etc.). There are many other factors contributing to the amount of power consumption, such as, the size of the tub, water temperature, surrounding air temperature, and how often you use the tub.
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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Hot Tub
There are many factors to determining the cost to run a hot tub:
- How long you run your tub
- How often you use your tub
- How many people use the tub together
- The volume of water in the tub
- The cost of electricity
- The power of the hot tub motor
- Keeping the tub covered when not in use.
- Keeping the tub heated when not in use.
- The temperature of the water
Usually, the electricity cost to running an energy-efficient hot tub is around $1 to $2 per day.
However, there are many things you can do to ensure you minimize your hot tub expenses.
Heat Up Your Hot Tub During Off-Peak Utility Hours
Many hot tub owners have an off-peak electricity supply installed to heat the water. Off-peak supply is all other times except 6am to 9am and 5pm to 8pm. The off-peak electricity tariff can be up to 30% or 40% less than the standard daily tariff. This will reduce the cost to run a hot tub.
Your home may already have an off-peak metered supply for electric hot water so you can have an electrician connect your hot tub to this supply. Otherwise, it’s a good investment to have an electrician provide an off-peak electricity connection to your hot tub.
Should I leave my hot tub filter on all the time?
Yes, you need to leave the filter system switched on all the time to keep the water clean. If you have saltwater chlorination you need to leave it on to have the water adequately sanitized.
If you have a spa pool next to your swimming pool the two bodies of water will most likely be filtered and chlorinated by the one filtration system. The pump will be set to automatically activate for the required number of hours each day to filter the water and generate chlorine to sanitize the pools.
Switch off the heating unit to save power and only switch it on before you want to use the tub or spa. Note that the heater will use a lot of power to heat the water from cold but to maintain the temperature will only use a small amount of power. Many people prefer to leave the heater on and cover the hot tub or spa pool to retain the heat so that the water is never cold.
Install a Hot Tub Cover
Hot tub covers are an essential item to maintain the water temperature and save on electricity. A cover will keep the tub keep and free from dirt and debris that can blow into the water. You will find that you use less chemicals and evaporation is less of an issue. Covers also provide security and safety against children climbing into the tub and falling into the water.
Install a Thermal Blanket
When your tub is in use install a thermal cover to keep the water warm, reduce evaporation and prevent the water from accumulating debris. Take off the blanket just before you get into the tub. Install the blanket when you get out. This helps to reduce the cost to run a hot tub.
Close the Hot Tub Air Jets
The hot tub’s air jets create bubbles to aerate and circulate the water to soothe your tired muscles. One side effect of having bubbly water is that it cools down quicker than without bubbles. The water will require more heating to maintain your desired temperature when the spa jets are in constant use. This will cost more electricity to reheat the water.
However, if your spa remains on all the time to keep the water heated and ready, close the jets when you’re not using the spa. There is no need to aerate the water when no one is using the hot tub. Closing the jets will stabilize the temperature, reduce the cost to run a hot tub and save you considerable money. You may also prolong the life of your water heater and motor.
Protect the Tub from the Wind
As with a swimming pool, wind blowing over the surface of the water cools down the hot tub. When the tub is not covered you need to ensure it is protected from the wind to prevent cooling and evaporation.
Most hot tub owners like their privacy while in the tub so they have no hesitation erecting a privacy screen around the hot tub. The screen will also protect the tub from air movements. Creating a windbreak can be effective with portable screens and/or bushes.
Clean the Hot Tub Regularly
Clean and maintain your hot tub to keep it in good working order and reduce operating costs.
Your hot tub might look clean to you but most of the dirt and scum that resides in hot tubs accumulates in the plumbing where you cannot see it. This is similar to cleaning a dishwasher or washing machine where the inside may look clean but inside the plumbing is filthy. When the plumbing pipes are partially blocked the equipment doesn’t function efficiently leaving the water not fully sanitized and not filtered enough.
While you still have water in the spa or hot tub you need to clean the plumbing because most of the dirt and scum is hiding inside the plumbing. You need to buy a jetted tub cleaner product that you pour into the hot tub with the pump operating for 15 minutes. The cleaner product will circulate through the plumbing and breakdown the scum in the pipes and jets. The broken down dirt and scum is now in your tub water. Replace the water to solve the issue.
Many hot tub owners don’t clean the water filter enough. Once the filter element becomes soiled with dirt and other contaminants from the pool water the pressure within the filter system will increase indicating that it is harder for the pump to push the water through the filter element.
When the pressure within the filter system increases beyond a certain level it is time to open the filter and manually clean the element. When a hot tub or spa pool is regularly in use, clean the filter every two weeks.
How to Clean the Filter Element
Usually a filter element only needs to be hosed clean. When you hose the filter there will be dirty water and small particles of debris so it’s recommended to clean the filter on the lawn, near a drain or in the gutter out in the street. Use a hose head that sprays the water with extra pressure to really clean away the dirt. Ensure you open the pleats to remove all the dirt trapped in the filter element.
If you frequently clean the element it will never become very dirty and will last much longer before needing replacement.
If the filter element is very dirty you can soak it in a bucket of water with a small amount of vinegar or bleach in the water. There are special cleaning products available to use on filter elements that clean the element without damaging it. You would spray the filter element, leave for 15 minutes and rinse well with the hose to remove all traces of the cleaning solution.
Note: Don’t use household cleaning products in a hot tub or to clean a filter because they usually contain chlorine- based chemicals that can damage surfaces and unbalance or react with your hot tub water.
How Long Does a Hot Tub Filter Last?
When to Replace a Hot Tub Filter
Normally, replace a spa or hot tub filter cartridge every two years but may need replacement sooner with heavy usage. The filter element keeps you spa water clean and protect your health from the contaminants that can reside in hot tub water. A dirty filter or a filter that no longer works effectively is not only endangering your health but is potentially damaging your pump and filtration system.
If the filter element becomes damaged in any way you will need to replace it. Filter elements are relatively inexpensive compared to other pool and spa components so replacing it is not an issue. I recommend always having two filter cartridges. One cartridge in the filter and one spare ready to swap with the one in the filter. When you clean the filter simply swap the cartridges so that the hot tub is ready again for use immediately. Clean the dirty filter, allow to dry and store in a dry place.
How long should you soak in a hot tub?
Health authorities recommend that you only relax in hot tubs and spas for a short period of time, usually no longer than 20 minutes. Typically, you should relax for 10 minutes at a time and alternate between the hot tub and the cool swimming pool. It’s the alternating heating and cooling effect that is most beneficial to your body. Two thousand years ago the Roman’s bathed in hot spas and cool pools everyday as it was proven to improve blood circulation and relieve many muscular skeletal conditions.
