What is the cost of running a hot tub?

With summer almost over, the opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors are becoming few and far between. The cooler weather however doesn’t mean putting a stop to outdoor entertaining completely if you have a hot tub.

A hot tub is a great investment for so many reasons. As well as providing the perfect place to relax, either alone or with family and friends, there are several health benefits that go hand-in-hand with regular hot tub use. Hot tubs for instance provide fantastic joint and muscle pain relief, are used by athletes and fitness enthusiasts to treat injuries, actively relieve anxiety and stress, and even boost sleep quality.

One downside to hot tub ownership however is the cost, which adds up even after you’ve paid the initial purchase price. To ensure you invest in a hot tub with your eyes wide open, we’re here to share an essential guide to all these running costs.

Electricity

Those 1,000-plus litres of water aren’t going to heat themselves! Even after the introduction of the new Ofgem energy price cap in July 2023, a hot tub with a 3kW heater will cost approximately 90p per hour to run when full. This cost doesn’t include the electricity it uses to power the pump and create bubbles either.

Some hot tubs are cheaper to run than others, with the capacity of your chosen design and the water temperature (which is usually set to between 36°C and 40°C) influencing these costs.

Water

The cost of filling your hot tub is a little more digestible considering that the average hot tub can be filled and the water changed every three months as a rule of thumb. Whilst prices differ depending on local water rates, it costs Southern Water customers around £3.42 to fill a 1,000-litre hot tub.

Chemicals

Water treatment is a vital part of hot tub ownership. The cost of filters and water care products varies, but can range from £250 to £350 per year.

Maintenance

Alongside water treatment, it’s recommended that you get your hot tub serviced annually. A once-yearly hot tub service can cost up to £200 in the UK.

Reducing hot tub running costs

There are several steps you can take to lower hot tub running costs. Buying a smaller hot tub that’s well insulated, and keeping it running at a constant temperature rather than emptying and refilling it for occasional use is advisable. You can also invest in an insulated cover to retain heat and save money.