Do Hot Tubs Use a Lot of Electricity?

When do I plan to use my hot tub?

The days of the week and the times that your hot tub is in use will also impact the answer to the question: “Do hot tubs use a lot of electricity?” Consider your specific power company’s rates. Many power companies offer off-peak usage hours during which you are encouraged to operate your household appliances from dishwashers and washers and dryers to your hot tub. The benefit of operating your home’s equipment during these hours is that your power company usually offers a price break.

So if you are conscious of keeping your electricity usage down, plan to align your hot tub usage with those off-peak hours. You may find that your power company’s off-peak hours take place in the evenings or on the weekends, which happen to be ideal times to enjoy a soothing soak in your hot tub.

What size hot tub do I plan to purchase?

The size of your hot tub is important to consider when determining how much electricity your hot tub will use. This is simply because a larger model holds more water. The more water a hot tub holds, the longer it can take to heat up. This will affect your energy usage and ultimately your electricity bill. In addition to size, the number of jets in your spa as well as the number of pumps can also impact your electricity usage. This also comes down to the fact that the more jets and pumps you have, the more energy will be necessary to operate them.

If you are looking to be efficient with your electricity usage, shop for a premium hot tub that allows you the option to enable specific jet usage. This way, you can determine when you want to run all of your jets or when you only need specific ones to be operating, depending on the number of bathers in your hot tub during use.

At what temperature do I plan to keep my hot tub’s water?

The temperature of your hot tub water is another key element in determining hot tub electrical use. Your spa’s functions required to heat your water will have to work harder the hotter you keep your water. Keep this in mind not only when it comes to keeping your electricity usage lower, but also in preserving the life of your hot tub’s equipment.

When you are shopping for your perfect hot tub, ask your local spa dealer about high-functioning brands and models. You may also want to ask about the ideal temperature to keep the water at in a specific model to ensure its equipment does not get overworked.

Does my hot tub have good insulation?

Excellent insulation is one of the most important factors you should consider when shopping for hot tubs. Good insulation will not only protect your hot tub and help maintain the water temperature, it will help you keep your electricity bills lower.

While most portable hot tubs have some element of insulation, a high-quality well-insulated hot tub can retain your water’s heat for longer. This will impact your electricity use and your bottom line. For example, Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs feature high-performance energy-saving insulation.

Insulation in Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs surrounds the shell and fills the cabinet, which not only ensures quieter operation, which is essential for a soothing hydromassage experience, it also helps to keep operating costs down.

Does my hot tub meet or exceed energy efficiency standards?

This is an important question to ask yourself while you are narrowing down your hot tub choices. You will want to look for the energy-efficient components of any hot tub model that you like. If energy conservation is important to you, look for a model that meets or exceeds the strict standards set by the California Energy Commission. All Jacuzzi® Hot Tub models meet or exceed these standards. While this is important for reducing energy consumption, it is also important in terms of conservation of other resources.

For example, the Jacuzzi® SmartTub® System allows you to customize your hot tub experience in a variety of ways—including managing and monitoring usage. With the Jacuzzi® SmartTub® System, you can monitor, schedule, and adjust your energy usage depending on your lifestyle. You can also customize your water temperature and lighting as needed and even lock your hot tub.

This unique automation can help reduce your running costs as it reduces standby power by up to 25 percent. Jacuzzi® Hot Tub models are designed to be energy efficient to keep your operating costs low, and Jacuzzi® Hot Tub owners can attest to this.

A real-world study of more than 20,000 Jacuzzi® Hot Tub users around the world found the average median energy use is 6 KWh per day across all four seasons over one full year. A quality hot tub with excellent energy-efficient features such as a Jacuzzi® Hot Tub should cost most hot tub owners less than $1 a day to operate.

As you consider these factors that affect electricity usage, also keep in mind two other key elements including:

Where will I place my hot tub?

Where you have your hot tub placed is important, particularly if you plan to have it installed outside. Your electricity use can be impacted if you place it in an exposed area or if you live in an area with extreme weather. Either of these factors may require more power to operate, heat, and maintain your hot tub. Your electricity costs may be higher depending on the seasons as well.

Do I have a high-quality hot tub cover?

The first line of defense in protecting your hot tub is a premium hot tub cover that fits tightly and properly over your hot tub. The use of a high-quality hot tub cover can help you retain your water’s temperature while keeping it free of dirt, debris, and other items that can contaminate the water. It can also help you keep your electricity usage to a minimum. 

You don’t necessarily need a hot tub electricity cost calculator to determine how much electricity your hot tub will use. Beyond what this article has revealed, the best way to figure out if the hot tub you are interested in will use a lot of electricity is to speak with your authorized spa dealer. They can help guide you to the best spas with energy-conserving features that will save you time and money.

Affiliations: Jacuzzi® is a registered trademark of Jacuzzi Group. All rights reserved.

Medical disclaimer: This information is not intended to prescribe a particular diagnosis or course of action. We are not medical professionals. Please contact your GP or other medical professional for advice if you have any concerns about your current health or well-being.