How Much Does a Hot Tub Raise Your Electric Bill?

As a hot tub owner, you might be worried about the amount your power bill will rise if you’re considering purchasing a hot tub. Such concerns are reasonable given that hot tubs once needed significant energy to maintain a steady high temperature.

However, there is good news if you’re buying a new hot tub: Spa manufacturers have significantly increased hot tub energy savings in recent years, so the increase in your monthly power cost will probably be much lower than you fear.

Still, if your curiosity gets you, read this article until the end to know how much your hot tub raises the electricity bill.

The Electric Bill Raise In A Hot Tub

An estimate of anywhere between the ranges of 10-20% can be possible however the size, design, structure, and location of hot tubs determine their final cost, while the following factors determine how much energy it uses:

  • The price of electricity per kilowatt in the area
  • The weather where you are
  • How big is your hot tub is
  • How well-insulated the hot tubs are
  • Whether the hot tub cover is well-made and ideally sized.

So how much does it cost to heat a hot tub? You may calculate how much the monthly power bill will rise by using a monthly energy costs calculator, which also takes into account the size and model of your hot tub, the climate where you live, and the cost of electricity in your area. Hot Spring� Spas hot tubs typically observe a rise in their hot tub energy costs of $10 to $20 per month.

huge hot tub on a spa center

Voltage Of The Heater

Another way of calculating the rise in hot tub costs is by checking the hot tub operating costs through the voltage of the heater.

You must be aware of the amperage of the water heater when you run a hot tub to calculate how much your electricity bill will rise. A 240-volt hot tub water heater consumes 6,000 watts, compared to 1,500 for a 120-volt unit. Additionally, the circulation pump consumes 1,5 000 watts.

Here is how you do it:

  • First, you must ascertain the cost per kilowatt-hour in your area and whether there are various rates during peak usage at different times of the day.
  • Divide the watts of the hot tub times 1,000 to turn it into kilowatts, using an annual average of ten cents per hour. 
  • Next, multiply the hours you anticipate spending each month in the hot tub by the power consumption in kilowatts.

For instance:

  • If your hot tub’s 240-volt heater draws 7,500 watts, it consumes roughly 7.5 kW
  • Calculate 25 x 7.5 to get 187.50 if you estimate using your hot tub for 25 hours each month. 
  • You should expect an increase in your electric bill of $18.75 per month or $225 per year if you estimate using 187.50 kilowatt-hours per month and multiply that figure by the kilowatt-hour cost of 10.

Factors That Affect Raise In Electric Bill

group of friends in a hot tub

Although there is no definite answer as to the amount of rising in the hot tub�s electric bill, you can consider and assess your hot tub�s energy cost-effectiveness by looking at these factors that can affect the rise in the electricity bill.

  • The cost of heating water is more than keeping it continuously at a high temperature. Your subsequent electric cost will be slightly greater than it will be over the succeeding months after you run a hot tub for the first time.
  • Your hot tub will use less electricity if you do hot tub maintenance regularly or with a well-fitting, good hot tub cover and when you clean the filters frequently. Otherwise, expect the opposite of using more electricity.
  • The expense of running a new hot tub depends on how frequently it is used. A hot tub uses more electricity the more it is utilized. The system and parts of the hot tub must work harder because increased use results in increased heat loss.

Effective Ways To Reduce Electric Bill

If you think the increase in the amount is considerably high after looking at the factors, you might want to check out these proven and tested ways to help you cut your cost in the next electric bill.

Buy  Or Make A Quality Hot Tub Cover

The appropriate spa cover according to your location and climate is the best way to lower your hot tub’s energy expenditures. Ensure the cover fits precisely, as well. A cover that is too tiny or large can result in heat or water loss, keeping the meter running and driving up your energy costs.

Establish A Wind Block

If your outdoor hot tub is near a windy area, you might wish to build a windbreak around it. You can utilize privacy panels, fences, plants, or anything else that complements the style of your garden. It will ensure a better experience when you use your hot tub because it will stop the breeze from freezing the water.

Turn Down The Thermostat

Lowering your thermostat a few degrees is a good second choice to the most effective technique for lowering the hot tub energy bill. While you probably won’t notice a few degrees change, the hot tub heater most certainly will. Changing the temperature between 104� to 100� can significantly impact energy usage.

Reduce The Temperature When On Vacation

Lowering your hot tub’s temperature when you’re on vacation is another thing you might not always consider. You can even completely turn it off in the summer. However, in the winter, you will require minimal heat to prevent the water from getting frozen and harming your hot tub.

Heat When It’s Needed

Do you realize that the hot tub works harder throughout peak energy periods? Because every family generates energy simultaneously, the largest energy consumption peaks are often in the mornings and afternoons.  Therefore, during the hours of 11 PM and 7 AM, you might choose to turn your hot tub on heat. If you have an energy-efficient hot tub with a good cover, you won’t need to turn up the heat much so that you may enjoy a pleasant bath after supper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions to guide you on how much a hot tub can raise your electric bill.

How Much Does It Cost To Run A Hot Tub During The Winter?

A 500 gallons hot tub is thought to cost roughly $1 per day on average to keep ready for usage at all times. Fortunately, there are several ways to lower the expense of an in-ground hot tub throughout the winter.

Is It Necessary To Winterize A Hot Tub?

For several hot tub owners, winterizing their spas is not necessary. If you won’t use your hot tub for three to four months straight under cold weather, only then should you winterize it.

How Much Does Winterization Cost?

Winterizing a home typically costs between $200 and $250. However, household appliance maintenance or replacements could dramatically raise your spending. Your winterization budget for thrifty DIY homeowners may be less than $65.

Conclusion

woman sitting in a hot tub

There is no exact estimate regarding how much a hot tub can raise your electric bill. However, some hot tub owners report having a 10-20% raise, and other HotSpring spa owners report having observed a raise of $10 to $20 per month. Hot tub ownership requires you to know the factors that may be giving your hot tub electricity a strike. You can follow all the information presented above to guide you.