How to save money on the running of your hot tub 

Owning a hot tub is widely regarded as one of life’s finest luxuries, offering a unique blend of relaxation and leisure. It serves as your personal haven, allowing you to release the tension of the day as you sit back and let the soothing water work its magic. Beyond offering a peaceful escape, it can also be a perfect space for hosting friends, creating moments of joy and connection. Additionally, many owners use their hot tubs for low-impact hydrotherapy, taking advantage of the benefits for muscle relaxation and pain relief. That said, while the idea of enjoying the warm, bubbling water on a cool evening is undeniably appealing, most hot tub owners soon encounter a less enjoyable aspect of this luxury: the recurring costs associated with its upkeep and use.

The great thing is that with a little effort and some helpful knowledge, you can noticeably reduce the everyday costs associated with keeping your spa running, all without sacrificing any of the comfort, fun, or relaxation that makes it such a valuable addition to your home. This comprehensive guide will take you step by step through the process of saving money on the operating expenses of a hot tub, including tips for lowering energy consumption, maintaining clean and safe water, utilising the right tools and add-ons, and handling regular maintenance properly. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a wide range of simple, practical ideas that can help you manage your ongoing expenses while still fully enjoying the benefits and advantages of owning and using a hot tub regularly.

With the price hikes in energy costs, a big concern when buying a hot tub is ‘What can I do to make my hot tub as energy efficient as possible?’

There are many things that you can do to retain as much heat in your tub whilst keeping your monthly costs down.

Install a Heat Pump

At Hot Tub Liverpool, we have done our research and found that heat pumps are a great way to reduce your energy costs. These can be connected to your hot tub to reduce running costs by up to 75%.

A heat pump is a device that transfers thermal energy from one point to another.

This technology can also be used to extract the potential thermal energy from the outside, transferring the heat through a heat exchanger and heating your hot tub.

Although they use a small amount of electricity to run, heat pumps are considered high efficiency and clean because they don't depend on the burning of fuel to create heat. They perform well in moderate climates such as the UK and can provide heating during the winter months. 

There are two main kinds of heat pumps, depending on the type of medium they extract heat from, namely air or ground/water, and they are now beginning to be incorporated into modern builds on a regular basis.

Heat is a useful property when it comes to keeping our houses warm; it moves from a high temperature to a low temperature naturally. What a heat pump does is reverse this process using some simple science that pushes air from outside, warms it up and then feeds it into your house. 

On the outside of a heat pump, you will find a system of coils with refrigerant in it over which the outside air is drawn using an impeller or fan.  The liquid on the refrigerant coils absorbs the heat and, as it warms up, begins to evaporate. The gas then goes through a compressor that increases the temperature dramatically. 

How well is your hot tub insulated?

Top-quality insulation is a crucial component of a hot tub's energy efficiency. The insulation forms a barrier between the shell’s surface and the external temperature. This helps maintain water temperature and allows the heater and pumps to run more efficiently.

Full foam insulation is the most effective way to ensure energy efficiency within your hot tub. Foam is sprayed to fill the cabinet, providing support and using half the energy of a partially foam-insulated tub. The only disadvantage to this is that if the tub develops a fault or if any repairs are required, it can make it harder to access the interior of the hot tub.

Make sure your hot tub has a heat-retaining lid.

This is probably one of the most important factors when looking for ways to keep your hot tub efficient. Heat rises, so a cover that does not fit properly will let heat escape from the tub.

We recommend that the cover forms an airtight seal around the outside of the hot tub to keep the heat retained in the tub.

A good way to see if your hot tub cover is of good quality is if snow or frost doesn’t melt when it lands on it. At Hot Tub Liverpool, all our hot tubs come with heat-retaining covers as standard.

Lower the temperature of the hot tub.

Reducing the temperature, even by just a couple of degrees will make a big difference to your energy costs, for instance in the summer months you probably wouldn’t have it as hot as you would in the winter, making a significant saving in costs.

Also, if you are going on holiday for a week or two, or not using it for any reason, turn the temperature of the hot tub down even further. A comfortable temperature for your hot tub in the winter would be around thirty-seven degrees and less during the summer.

Choose the right size of hot tub for your needs.

The bigger your hot tub, the more water it holds therefore, the more it will cost to heat, so if you just want your hot tub for relaxation and hydrotherapy and not for parties or socialising with friends, choose a slightly smaller tub that holds less water, making it cheaper to run. We would recommend that you use 250 litres of water per person.

Make sure your hot tub is shielded from the wind

Locating your hot tub out of windy conditions is a good way of ensuring that heat isn’t escaping the water. You could surround the tub with fence panels or bushes, for instance. Some people locate their hot tubs in an outbuilding or put a wooden structure around the tub, this also guarantees privacy.

Keep Your Filters Clean

Filters that are dirty or blocked can have a noticeable impact on the functionality of your system. When your filters aren’t properly maintained, your pump has to exert more effort to keep things running, which increases energy consumption. At the same time, clogged filters slow the movement of water, which can result in decreased heating effectiveness. Over time, this can lead to wear and tear on your equipment, shortening its lifespan and making it less dependable. Regular care for your filters is essential to avoid these problems and keep your system running smoothly.

Here are some guidelines to help you maintain your filters effectively:

Rinse weekly: To prevent debris from building up too much, give your filters a quick rinse with a hose every week. This step removes larger particles like dirt and leaves that can accumulate over time. Even though it’s a simple task, it plays an important role in keeping your system operating efficiently.

Deep clean monthly: Once a month, it’s a good idea to go beyond just rinsing and perform a more thorough cleaning. Use a cleaning solution specifically designed for filters to remove oils, grease, and smaller particles that can cling to the filter material. A deeper clean ensures that the filter continues to work properly and supports the overall health of your system.

Replace annually: No matter how well you take care of them, filters have a limited lifespan and will need to be replaced eventually. Make it a point to change out your filters at least once a year to maintain optimal performance and prevent potential issues from arising. Replacing old filters ensures that your system doesn’t have to work harder than necessary.

Taking the time to properly care for your filters is a smart way to protect your system and save on energy costs. By making weekly rinsing, monthly deep cleaning, and annual replacements a priority, you can extend the life of your equipment, reduce wear on its components, and keep everything running efficiently.

Maintain Your Water Chemistry

Properly balanced water is essential not only for your safety but also for reducing expenses in the long run. When water is not in the right state, it can lead to scaling, foaming, or corrosion. These issues put unnecessary strain on equipment like pumps and heaters, causing them to work harder and increasing operational costs.

To ensure your water stays in good condition, check the chemical levels every week. It’s crucial to maintain a pH level between 7.2 and 7.6 and keep the alkalinity within the range of 80 to 120 ppm. This simple routine helps avoid potential problems that could escalate over time.

Additionally, it’s important to shock your water on a regular basis. This process eliminates contaminants that could otherwise make the water cloudy or require a costly drain and refill procedure. Routine shocking is an easy way to preserve water quality while keeping expenses under control.

When using chemicals, avoid the temptation to overuse them. Many people believe that more chemicals are better, but this approach is both wasteful and expensive. Using the correct amount not only saves money but also ensures that the water remains balanced and safe for use.

By committing to consistent water care practices, you can significantly cut down on the need for frequent refills, additional chemical applications, and potential equipment repairs. This proactive approach will save you time, money, and frustration, while also prolonging the lifespan of your water systems.

Upgrade to a More Energy-Efficient Hot Tub 

Not all hot tubs are the same, and there are significant differences between entry-level models and those designed for long-term performance and efficiency. Many of the lower-priced options, including inflatable and budget-friendly spas, are built with cost-cutting measures that impact their functionality and overall value. For example, these models often lack sufficient insulation, which can result in heat loss and increased energy consumption. The pumps used in entry-level hot tubs are frequently less efficient, resulting in higher electricity bills. Additionally, the heaters in these models may not be as effective, meaning it could take longer to warm up the water, which might become frustrating if you’re looking for a quick soak.

For those who plan to use their hot tub often, it’s a good idea to consider upgrading to a premium model that focuses on energy efficiency and long-term savings. Higher-end hot tubs come with a variety of features that make them stand out. One of the most important features is full foam insulation, which is designed to retain heat inside the cabinet. This helps to reduce energy use and ensures the hot tub maintains a consistent temperature. Energy-efficient circulation pumps are another standard feature in premium hot tubs, with some models using as little as 39 watts. This allows you to enjoy your spa experience without worrying about excessive energy costs.

Premium models also come with high-quality covers that are specifically designed to enhance heat retention. These covers play an important role in lowering your energy consumption and maintaining the water temperature, so your hot tub is always ready to use. While the upfront cost of a premium hot tub is higher, it’s important to consider the long-term savings. Monthly operating costs for these models can be as much as 30–50% lower compared to budget-friendly alternatives. Over time, the savings on energy costs can more than make up for the initial investment, making a premium hot tub a smarter choice for regular use.

Keep up with regular Hot Tub Servicing. 

Much like a car, which performs better and lasts longer when well-maintained, a hot tub also benefits greatly from proper maintenance. Routine professional servicing ensures that all its key parts, including pumps, heaters, seals, and other essential components, are functioning at their best. Ignoring even a small leak or a part that’s beginning to fail can result in higher operational costs over time, often without you noticing until the issue worsens.

Annual service: Having your hot tub inspected annually by a trained technician is a vital part of its upkeep. During these yearly checkups, the technician will carefully examine every aspect of the hot tub, perform adjustments, and fix any issues before they develop into more significant problems.

DIY checks: In addition to scheduling professional servicing, you can take steps on your own to monitor the condition of your hot tub. Be vigilant about listening for odd sounds, watching for leaks or drips, and observing any changes in water temperature, as these could indicate underlying problems that need attention.

The saying 'prevention is better than cure' is especially true when it comes to hot tub maintenance. Staying ahead of potential issues by investing time and care into routine upkeep will not only save you money in the long term but also ensure your hot tub remains a source of relaxation and enjoyment for years to come.

Educate whoever is using the Hot Tub 

If you’re sharing the spa with friends or family, make sure to explain to them some essential practices to help reduce costs and save energy:

Make sure the cover isn’t left off the spa for a prolonged period, as this leads to heat loss and increases energy usage. Keeping the cover on when the spa isn’t in use helps conserve heat and reduce costs.

Always close the air valves once you’re finished using the spa. Leaving them open can lead to energy waste, as it makes it harder for the spa to maintain its temperature.

Be cautious about splashing water out of the spa. Whenever you add cold water to replace what’s lost, the heating system has to work harder to bring the water back to the ideal temperature, which raises energy bills.

By encouraging everyone who uses the spa to follow these guidelines, you can create a collaborative effort to keep expenses under control and ensure a pleasant experience for all users.

Final Thoughts

Owning a hot tub should be all about relaxation and enjoyment, not worrying about skyrocketing electricity bills or the potential strain on your finances. The good news is that with some thoughtful habits, the right accessories, and the occasional improvement to your setup, you can enjoy soothing, warm water throughout the year without spending a fortune. With a little effort, you can make your hot tub an affordable retreat that you can enjoy anytime.

Here’s a detailed rundown of the most effective ways to save money while keeping your hot tub running smoothly:

First, invest in a high-quality insulated cover. This will help keep the heat in and prevent unnecessary energy loss. Make sure to replace the cover if it becomes worn or damaged, as an old cover won’t provide the insulation your hot tub needs.

Second, use thermal blankets to add an extra layer of insulation, and take advantage of eco-friendly modes available on some hot tubs. These features can significantly cut down on energy consumption.

Another key practice is to keep the filters clean and ensure the water chemistry is balanced. Proper maintenance reduces strain on the system and helps it run more efficiently. Regular cleaning of filters and checking the chemical levels in the water will extend the life of your equipment and improve energy efficiency.

Lowering the temperature by just a couple of degrees is another smart way to save money. A small adjustment in the temperature setting can lead to noticeable savings over time, while still keeping the water warm and enjoyable.

If you use your hot tub frequently, consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient model. Modern hot tubs are designed with advanced features that reduce energy usage, making them a wise investment in the long run. While the upfront cost might seem high, the savings on electricity bills can make it worthwhile.

By combining these strategies, you can achieve the perfect mix of comfort and cost-effectiveness. Owning a hot tub doesn’t have to be a financial burden—it can be a luxurious escape that fits within your budget. The key is to approach it thoughtfully and make adjustments that optimize its efficiency.

So don’t hesitate: step into those inviting bubbles, let the jets melt away the stress of the day, and enjoy the time spent in your personal spa. You can take comfort in knowing that you’re not only caring for your well-being but also running your hot tub in a way that’s smart and sustainable.