What does a hot tub actually cost to run?

It's the question we're asked more than any other, and most answers you'll find online are either a sales pitch or a scare story. Here's how it actually works.

It depends on three things, not one

Your running cost comes down to how well the spa holds its heat, what temperature you keep it at, and what you pay per unit of electricity. Two identical-looking tubs can differ enormously on the first of those, which is why a cheap spa often costs more to own than a well-built one.

A properly insulated spa spends most of its life topping up heat it has already made, rather than heating cold water from scratch. That's a small, steady draw. A poorly insulated one is constantly fighting the weather, and you pay for the difference every week for as long as you own it.

Leave it on

This is the single most common mistake. Switching a hot tub off between soaks feels thrifty, but reheating a full spa from cold uses far more energy than simply holding it at temperature — and it takes the best part of a day, so it's never ready when you fancy it.

If you're away for a while, drop the temperature by a couple of degrees rather than turning it off altogether.

The heat pump question

An air source heat pump moves heat rather than generating it, which is why it can cut heating costs by up to 75% compared with a standard element. Over twenty of our spas include a free 5kW heat pump, and if running cost is your main concern that's where we'd start you looking.

What actually moves the needle

Keep the cover in good condition and clipped down — a tired, waterlogged cover is the biggest single source of heat loss on most tubs. Keep your filters clean, because clogged filters make the pumps work harder for less flow. And put the spa somewhere sheltered if you can; a spot that catches the wind will cost you more all winter.

If you want a straight answer for a specific model, ask us. We'll tell you what it costs to run rather than what it costs to buy.