Owning a hot tub is a lot like having an outdoor fireplace-living space to enjoy at your discretion. Residential luxuries like these are certainly becoming more mainstream and even necessary for the way we spend our time. Modern living, however, comes with a few extra costs associated with such conveniences. Hot tubs require electrical power to run, but not to worry, spa products including covers and even enzymes can help keep a hot tub running efficiently.
How Much Electricity Does a Hot Tub Use Per Month?
Like any appliance, hot tub power consumption depends on a number of variables. Age, size, outdoor climate, manufacturer, accessories, and the temperature the hot tub is regularly kept at, will affect how much electricity each tub needs to run. A good rule of thumb is $1 a day. Comparable to cars, the newer they are, the more efficient each hot tub will be.
Estimating Hot Tub Electricity Consumption
In order to run a hot tub with a 240-volt heating system, you will use about 7.5 kilowatts. To estimate a hot tub’s total electricity consumption, first, come up with how many hours the spa is actually used each month. Next, multiply that number by 7.5. The sum will be something like 10 hours x 7.5 = 75 kW hours per month. The average cost of U.S. electricity per kilowatt-hour is approximately .13 cents. 75 kWh multiplied by .13 cents is around $10 bucks or $1 per hour of use.
Energy Efficient Hot Tub
Tips for keeping a hot tub running at maximum power efficiency are:
- Always Use a Cover
- Invest in a Digital Thermometer
- Perform Partial Water Changes
- Keep Filters Clean; and
- Insulate the Hot Tub
If you own an older hot tub or have purchased a newer, fully-foamed hot tub you can still add more insulation by using cut-out pieces or spray foam in the hot tub cabinet and around pipe areas. If you’re asking yourself how much electricity does a hot tub use in the winter, then your answer is much more without proper insulation. In other words, every time you open the hot tub you’ll be losing energy. Be sure to do your homework and ask the sales professional about which hot tub will work best at your home depending on where you live.
Essentially, hot tubs cost owners less than $25 dollars each month to run. Spa’s are manufactured with a variety of materials. Acrylic hot tubs, fiberglass models, spas made with polyethylene, and inflated hot tubs comprised of vinyl, plastic, or latex, each have unique pros and cons. The more you pay for the hot tub, the less you’ll spend on electricity in the long run. It’s recommended to consider how many people will be using the hot tub at a time and if the hot tub is meant for therapy or recreation use. Hot tubs are meant to last from 5 – 10 years when well cared for. Keeping your hot tub running at it’s best is both ideals for its longevity and most importantly, your utility bill.
If you need to get your electrical system set up for your new hot tub, make sure you prioritize safety first – always! Check out what type of electrical work you can do and those tasks that you should leave it to the pros.