How Much Does it Cost to Run A Hot Tub?

Are you considering a hot tub for your property but are worried about the running costs? Don’t rule it out, as maintaining a hot tub can actually be cheaper than you might think.

Not everyone possesses the budget or the space to indulge in a swimming pool, so hot tubs and spas are the perfect alternative due to their smaller size, lower installation and running costs, and usability all year round. Before you buy, you might have a few questions on your mind. So we’ve put together this article to help provide a few answers about hot tub running costs and why a hot tub could be the ideal addition to your outdoor space.

How much does it cost to run a hot tub?

Opinions differ, but after the initial cost of installation, the maintenance and running costs of a hot tub are relatively inexpensive. Costs will depend on the temperature the water is maintained at, but with high efficiency, decent insulation and an effective lid, a spa or hot tub may only lose a couple of degrees of heat over a 24 hour period.

In fact, it is recommended for energy conservation and environmental purposes that hot tubs should be kept warm at all times rather than being heated up for individual uses. A thick rigid cover and a well-insulated shell will help maintain the water at your chosen temperature, to keep energy expenses low.

It has been calculated that when a hot tub is used for thirty minute sessions, six days a week, and with a water temperature maintained at 39 degrees, the costs only rack up to a cheap £3.65 a week, which roughly translates to £200 a year. Realistically, the electrical running costs will vary but are likely to be between £5 – £7 a week depending on the model of hot tub chosen. Considering everything, it’s a relatively small price to pay for having access to a leisure facility from the comfort of your own home.

Hot tub vs. swimming pool

There’s no doubting that a swimming pool is a fantastic way to keep fit and entertain your family in the summer months. Both pools and hot tubs can be attractive additions to your property when it comes time to sell, enticing potential buyers. However, if you don’t feel your lifestyle justifies the budget, you can still afford a little luxury and relaxation with a hot tub. But how do both additions compare, installation and maintenance wise?

An in ground swimming pool would cost about £40,000 although above-ground pools are much more affordable and start from about £500, whilst hot tub costs are around £3,000 – £10,000.

Maintenance of a pool is also much more expensive, as understandably, this larger volume of water costs more to heat and maintain.

In terms of cleanliness, both swimming pools and hot tubs require an appropriate balance of chemicals to keep them in healthy condition, but a hot tub is quicker to clean. Once again, the cost of chemicals and maintenance will be significantly less for hot tubs than for pools.

Why is it worth investing in a hot tub?

Aside from the obvious advantage of indulging in a hot soak after a hard day’s work, hot tubs also boast many other benefits for homeowners.

Whatever the season, summer or winter, your hot tub will be a welcome respite from the weather and a relaxing reward at the end of the day. In bad weather, we can become discouraged from sitting out in the cold, wet garden. A hot tub can give you a warm place to wind down,and can often be sited under a gazebo, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors all year round.

The heat and massaging effect of a spa or hot tub can be advantageous for your personal health, helping to move blood and nutrients around your body and ease stiffness and pain.

In winter time, many of us book holidays abroad or go on spa breaks to get ourselves ready for the year ahead. Owning a hot tub means you can treat yourself to some leisure time from the comfort of your own home.

For a full guide to hot tub benefits, see our previous blog on the subject here.

For expert installation and maintenance of quality hot tubs, look no further than H2O Swimming Pools. Our team are premier pool contractors in the Surrey area, but also have a range of luxury products available, including hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms. Our products can be tailored, installed and maintained to your requirements, and we can also supply hot tub covers to improve thermal efficiency. To find out more, simply get in touch with our helpful staff today.