How much does it cost to run a hot tub in the UK 2023? (Comparisons, advice and more)

In this article you’ll be able to compare the average daily running cost of Jacuzzi® Hot Tub compared to common purchases, what influences hot tub running costs, how you can reduce spend, and more.

Disclaimer - All information, including pricing and product details, was accurate at the time of writing (February 1, 2023) and may change without notice. 

How much electricity does a Jacuzzi® Hot Tub use in a day?

The average cost to run a Jacuzzi® Hot Tub in the UK is 5kWH or £1.70 a day, at the current 34p per unit.

Disclaimer - This is based on data collected from 1,850 SmartTub® users from Jan 1st, 2022, to December 31st 2022, which includes real world usage.  

Hot tub energy usage vs common goods

Everyone loves a little something to treat themselves with. Picking up the odd ‘coffee shop’ coffee, a trip to the cinema or a Saturday lunchtime burger. The few pounds we spend here and there seem so small but give us such a big smile.  

So, can you spend just a few pounds to get excellent hydromassage? On average, yes you can! And as you can see below, that tiny spend is not only equivalent to the other ‘everyday treats’ you enjoy, in many cases it can actually cost less. 

-Takeaway coffee - £3.40 

-Large burger meal - £5.09 

-Pint of beer - £3.95 

-G&T - £6.27 

-Cinema ticket - £7.52 

What affects hot tub energy costs? 

There are a number of factors that influence the energy costs of a hot tub. Good news, there are some simple measures you can take to reduce energy usage!

How long you use your hot tub  

Think less is best. When you slip into your hot tub for your hydromassage, you are looking to relax, ease your muscles, relieve aches and pains and generally feel better about yourself. For the jets to help with all this, you only need them to work on your body for 20-30 minutes. 

By staying in longer you can sometimes begin to feel a little lightheaded and nauseous because of the heat. And nobody wants to spoil their experience. 

So don’t say ‘I’ll just have 10 more minutes’. Your body won't really thank you and neither will your electricity bill. The nearly 90 hours a year you cut - based on a daily hydromassage - can reduce hot tub energy usage.

Hot tub size and jet functions  

A general factor to consider when it comes to energy usage is the size of the unit. The more water the hot tub holds, the longer it takes the heater to warm up, and the more you pay.

You then need to consider the pump and the number of jets. Again, more jets can cause the pump to work harder, and will require more energy to function.

Water temperature 

Like cranking up your central heating when you’re cold, increasing the temperature of the water will likely trigger an increase in power use.

However, if your hot tub is equipped with an energy saving heat programme, such as SmartTub®, then you can stress less about making your hot tub warmer. 

Heat loss 

Every degree of temperature lost from your hot tub, needs to be made back up by the heater. Wondering how you can reduce heat loss? You'll find the answer in the form of quality hot tub insulation, hot tub covers and the hot tub's location.

Insulation within cabinet 

The most effective forms of hot tub insulation on the market can act like a space blanket or double glazing for windows. As you can imagine, these options have a positive impact on lowering hot tub running costs. 

As an example, Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs have two layers of insulation – one that acts as a core insulator and one that reflects heat trying to escape, it also recaptures heat from pumps and other equipment. This lowers the amount of energy you need to rely on from your integral heater. 

On the flipside, minimal or ineffective insulation will allow heat to escape from the cabinet and adjusting water temperature levels to remain comfortable will impact your power bill. 

Location  

A hot tub placed in an exposed area is more likely to need more power to heat and maintain the water temperature than one tucked in a sheltered area near a building.

There are many reasons for this 

-Wind and general elements are more exposed to the surrounds of the hot tub 

-Cool air can come through the base of the hot tub 

-Ambient temperature 

What will decrease the running costs of a hot tub?

Now it’s about preventative measures. The things you can do that will help you lower your running costs. This section will cover off three key areas: 

-Insulation, 

-Temperature  

-Electricity suppliers 

-Smart systems  

Hot tub insulation  

Most hot tubs utilise two forms of insulation, material or (SPF) Spray Polyurethane Foam.

For more information on hot tub insulation, different options and what options are most effective, read this article - Best hot tub insulation (Good, better, best). 

Hot tub covers are also an important feature to keep in mind. By choosing a well-insulated and snug fitting cover, you prevent major heat escaping from the top when the hot tub is not in use.

Hot tub temperature  

Various hot tub retailers in the UK speak about the impact that turning your hot tub down by a single degree can have when it comes to the amount of energy used. 

At lower temperatures your heater is not working as hard or as long, to maintain the heat levels required. On average, most people keep their hot tubs at around 38° to 40°. Dropping to just 37° is energy efficient and remains a comfortable temperature for an enjoyable hydromassage. 

Using a smart remote control system 

Smart remote control systems can offer varying services and benefits to a hot tub customer, depending on the brand providing it.  

As an example, Jacuzzi® has the SmartTub® app. Both parts work together so you can remotely control and monitor your hot tub anywhere with a cellular connection. 

The money saving features it offers includes the ability to -

-Personalise your soak sessions. Jacuzzi® Hot Tub will learn how long it takes to heat to your desired temperature at your desired soak time. 

-Place hot tub on vacation mode. By placing the hot tub on pause and keeping water at a lower temperature until you return, you have the ability to save up to 25% on standby heating. 

-Energy usage data. Monitor the exact kWh of your hot tub usage and off-peak, peak energy data. 

Read this article to learn more about the Jacuzzi® SmartTub® system and how it can save you money. 

What is the annual cost I could be paying when running my hot tub in the UK 2023?

Although we cannot speak for every hot tub on the market, we can give you an average cost for a Jacuzzi® Hot Tub. That figure is up to £744,60, that’s £2.04 per day. 

*We get this figure from SmartTub® which tracks usage from 744 real customers and their actual usage. This includes hydromassage, drain and refill, standby and more. This was the actual average spend per day by users between January 1 – December 31, 2021. 

You will find a good breakdown below of how the costs have been worked out over the year. 

Just remember, these are average prices and that can and will vary depending on the size, power and use of the hot tub you choose. 

Please use these prices as a guide to begin a conversation in the showroom. Any good salesperson you speak with should be able to give you more detailed and accurate prices on the specific models you are interested in. 

Average running costs for a Jacuzzi® Hot Tub?

-Per day - £2.04 

-Per month - up to £62.05 

-Per year - £744.60 

(Based on data collected from 744 smart tubs from Jan 1st, 2021 to December 31st, 2021) 

The hot tub prices used here are based on kWh measurements. This is the energy used when the hot tub is in use. This figure is then used to calculate the running costs based on the unit price of electricity. 

Please note, a hot tub will be more expensive to run hot tub during cooler months and cheaper in the summer. The figures listed are averages taken across the year.  

Summary

After reading this article, you should have a clear idea of the daily average running cost for a Jacuzzi® Hot Tub and key tips to help you keep running costs to a minimum.  

By comparing the daily cost against everyday goods we use and enjoy, you can be the judge of how the daily cost fits into your budget.  

Have more questions around running costs? Our team members in both our stores and dealer showrooms are willing to offer you the help and advice you need.  

Click here to find your nearest Jacuzzi® showroom. 

Wondering what the best hot tub brands are in the UK that offer products with a price tag under £10,000.

Click the article link below to learn more.