How Much Electricity Does a Hot Tub Use? What You Need To Know

As a homeowner, you need to consider several features before installing a hot tub such as the aesthetics, brand, number of taps and outlets, and sitting space. Unfortunately, one thing that most people neglect to check before installation is the amount of electricity that the hot tub uses, which might end up costing them in the long run.

What is the monthly cost of running a bathtub, and how expensive is it compared to other devices? In this article, we’ll discuss all this and more to help you when buying a hot tub.

How Much Power Does a Hot Tub Use?

Soaking in a hot tub in the comfort of your home can be relaxing, and owning a private hot tub is a luxury. However, they can be quite costly to own and run. The costs of owning one are not limited to the initial purchase and installation costs.

The primary cost of running a hot tub comes from the high electricity use involved. This includes the heating costs and the power required to circulate the water through the filters. There are also other hidden factors that affect the cost of running a hot tub.

The primary energy consumption when using the hot tub is the heater, which uses around 1,500–6,000 watts depending on the voltage of the heater. The pump that circulates water throughout the tub, the filters, and the massage jets typically use an additional 1,500 watts.

Approximate Cost Calculation

Based on the electric costs above, it’s easy to approximate the amount of electricity the hot tub uses. If you have a hot tub with a bigger heater, your tub will consume about 7,500 watts, including the heater and the pump. However, if you have a smaller heater, then your average electric consumption should be about 3,000 watts.

The wattage is converted into kilowatts-hours (kWh), which means 3,000 watts is 3kWh and 7,500 watts 7.5kWh. The average cost of a kWh is $0.15, which makes the cost of running a hot tub $450-$1,050.

Cost of Running a Hot Tub vs. Other Home Electronics

The average home has a computer, dishwasher, oven, water heater, and an electric heating system. All these appliances cost an average of $1,500 per year. The individual electric costs of each item compared to the hot tub are shown below.

Modern electrical appliances typically use significant electricity to run and can be pretty expensive. However, none of these appliances use as much power as the hot tub. Of course, this also depends on how often you use it.

How to Reduce Hot Tub Running Costs

Luckily for people with hot tubs, there are several ways you can run your hot tub at a lower cost. All of these options are pretty efficient and easy to implement. They include the following:

1. Fill Your Tub with Hot Water

Filling your hot tub with water from the hot tap is a simple yet efficient way to save on heating costs. Ensure that the water from the hot tap is as hot as you want before filling.

You can also fill your tub with cold water and leave it outside in the summer. It is guaranteed to be warmer the following day, especially if the temperatures are high. This reduces the energy you need to warm up your water.

2. Use the Hot Tub on Weekends

If your monthly electricity bill is too high, you might consider using the hot tub on weekends instead of using it daily. You can turn it off during the week and this will only require you to heat it 2 days a week.

For example, if you plan on using the heater on Saturday and Sunday, consider turning it on Friday evening and letting it warm up slowly. Set it to your desired temperature throughout Saturday and Sunday, and turn it off after you are done.

3. Maintain a Constant Temperature

If you use the hot tub on consecutive days, keeping the heater set to one temperature is more cost-effective. Letting the water temperature drop and then heating it again will consume more energy. You can cover the hot tub with a thermal cover to keep the heat from escaping.

4. Use a Lid

One of the fastest ways hot tubs lose heat is straight from the water surface when the heat rises and meets the outside air. The best way to prevent this is by covering it with a thermal cover, inflatable lid, or a clean floor protector. Ensure that the inflatable lid is firmly fastened in place to act as a thermal barrier and keep the water hotter for longer.

5. Position Your Hot Tub in a Shelter

Setting up your hot tub under a shelter or an area with a windbreak helps prevent the water in the tub from being cooled by the wind. Wind chills can significantly reduce the water temperature in the tub when it’s in use and when it’s not. Placing your hot tub by the fence or in a shelter can shield the water against the cooling action of the wind.

Building a shelter is a great way to improve the aesthetics of your yard while helping with energy costs. A shelter also provides additional privacy.

6. Use Your Hot Tub When It’s Warm Outside

The outside temperatures affect how much heat the water in the hot tub retains or loses. During winter, the water in the hot tub will cool faster and need to be reheated often. Your hot tub will lose less heat during the day and night during the summer months. It is, therefore, more cost-effective to use your hot tub during the summer months than in the winter.

7. Keep the Filters in the Hot Tub Clean

Dirty and clogged-up filters mean that your pump has to work harder and use more power to circulate the water. You should always clean and replace your filters often or when they are worn out.

8. Use the Massage System Less

The massage system requires a lot of energy to run and can contribute to rapid heat loss in the water. Consider cutting down the number of times you use the air jets and hydro jets in the hot tub and enjoy a soak instead.

Conclusion

Before purchasing a hot tub for your home, it is vital to know all the costs associated with owning and running one. You need to consider the installation, electricity, water, and cost of maintaining the hot tub. Although you can estimate the average cost of running a hot tub, it is difficult to do so with 100% accuracy as it depends on your hot tub model and how much you use it.

Implementing some of the tips above and doing the maintenance yourself can cut the electric and maintenance costs by more than half. A hot tub does not have to be expensive if you go about it correctly.

Featured Image Credit By: lunopark, Shutterstock