10 Simple Ways to Reduce the Running Costs of your Hot Tub

With the current energy crisis not set to improve for the foreseeable future, you may think that having a hot tub is a luxury you can ill afford. And if you have recently purchased a hot tub, you may be worried that the spiraling cost of energy is going to force you to shut it down until things get better.

To make matters worse, there is a lot of misinformation out there about the impact that the energy crisis is having on the cost of running a hot tub which, taken at face value, is frankly terrifying. We have posted many times on social media, explaining the actual cost of running a hot tub, debunking any crazy claims that a hot tub will cost you over £400 per week to run. Check out my video on the maths involved and how ridiculous this false information and how it is damaging people’s confidence in owning and using their hot tub.

Click here to see my Facebook post debunking some of the crazy misinformation out there

This post comes on the back of some really helpful(?) advice about mothballing your hot tub on BBC Radio 2. Sadly, the report was really biased, suggesting that hot tubs were far too expensive to run at this point in time without considering the many people out there to whom their hot tub is a key part of their lives. I’m talking about people who suffer with arthritis or back pain, people who have stressful jobs, people who value their family time, or just getting some precious vitamin D during the autumn and winter when we traditionally spend more of our time indoors. 

Click here to see my post on the running costs of an inflatable tub.

The report on Radio 2 did nothing to help and reassure those people that yes, you can run your hot tub; you just need to put a few little measures in place and they will have a huge impact on the overall running costs of your tub. 

Checking Your Hot Tub Cover

Turn the Temperature Down

Use Your Tub at the Weekend

Insulate Your Hot Tub

Positioning Your Hot Tub

Clean Your Hot Tub Filter

Check Your Filter Cycles

Get a Floating Thermal Blanket

Service Your Hot Tub

Upgrade Your Hot Tub

1. Check your hot tub cover

Your hot tub cover is your first line of defence against the cold and is vitally important in helping you maintain the temperature of your water so that when you need to use it, you don’t have to use the heaters so much to get your tub up to your desired temperature.

A good hot tub cover will usually last you between 3 and 5 years, but cheaper covers can last as little as 18 months. As much as 60% of the heat in your tub can escape through your cover so checking the seals and keeping your cover clean will help retain heat, prevent evaporation and protect your hot tub from the elements. This means that when you need to use your hot tub, your heater will not have to run for as long to get the water up to temperature.

You could also invest in a thermal cover for your hot tub, which wraps your hot tub in a thermal blanket. It’s an extra layer of insulation and it will also protect your lid.

2. Turn the temperature down

Most people like to keep their hot tub water at a toasty temperature of 38-40℃. But just by reducing the set temperature by 1° or 2° will reduce your bills. Reducing your temperature by 1° can reduce your energy bill by roughly 10%.

If you use your hot tub regularly, it is also a good idea to reduce the temperature by 5° while it is not in use and then pop the temperature back up when you know you are going to use it. This way, the heater won’t have to work so hard to get your water up to your desired temperature, saving you money.

3. Just use your tub at the weekends

For many people with hectic schedules during the week, the hot tub only gets used at the weekend. In this case, it can be a good idea to turn your tub off completely during the week, and then heat it up on Friday for the weekend.

This will mean you only heat your water up once a week and then maintain that temperature for the two days that you are going to use it, however, this is only a suitable method in the warmer months, as cold weather can cause the water to freeze in internal components and cause damage. We don’t recommend turning off your hot tub during the winter months (plus we believe this is the best time to use a hot tub!) but we do offer a “Winterisation” service which will make this process as safe as possible if you really aren’t going to use your tub. Click here to find out more about this service.

4. Insulate your hot tub cabinet

The space between your hot tub shell and the cabinet can be a major contributor to heat loss if not insulated properly. For £200-£300, you can fully insulate the cabinet of your hot tub which will work with your lid and cover to retain the heat of your water. 

We recommend using a 25mm foil insulation blanket that wraps your entire shell in a cosy cocoon, reducing your hot tub energy bill dramatically. See the post below from one of our clients who did just that and saw a dramatic reduction in running costs.

5. Positioning your hot tub 

A key factor in maintaining the temperature of your water is where you have your hot tub located. Ideally, you would build a wooden or brick structure around your hot tub to help protect your tub from the elements and prevent heat from escaping. You can also use a gazebo which will go some way to protecting your tub.

If that isn’t possible, another solution would be to create a windbreak for your tub, either by building a fence or using trees or shrubs that will shield your hot tub from the worst of the elements.

If you are about to buy a hot tub, think carefully about where you are going to locate it in your garden. Choose a sheltered spot, out of the wind as much as possible to help keep that heat in and prolong the life of your hot tub.

6. Clean your hot tub filter

Keeping your hot tub clean is not only going to make it nicer when you go for a dip, but it will also affect your running costs.

Your hot tub filters play an important role in keeping your tub clean. A dirty filter will affect the water flow and make your tub have to work that much harder. This will increase your running costs, so it is important to keep your filters clean at all times to make your hot tub more efficient. 

Cleaning your hot tub filters should be part of your regular cleaning routine. Rinsing them regularly, deep cleaning and replacing them when they are worn all contribute to keeping your bills down. We recommend having two filters on the go, one in your tub and one prepared for when you need it.

7. Check your filter cycles

Keeping an eye on your hot tub’s filter cycles is also a great way to reduce your bills. On average, most hot tubs require 2 x 2hr filter cycles in a 24hr period. However, if you aren’t using your tub as much as you usually do, or fewer people are using it, you could try shortening your filter cycle. This will reduce the time your pumps are active during the day and reduce the amount of energy needed.

Make sure you lengthen the filter cycle again if your usage increases, and before making any changes, check your manual or get in contact and we can advise you on the best setting for your tub and how often you use it.

8. Get a floating thermal blanket

Thermal blankets are an inexpensive way of reducing the heat lost through the surface of the water in your hot tub. In next to no time, they pay for themselves.

They simply sit on top of your water, under your lid, trapping all that lovely heat in your water so when you are in need of a soothing dip in your tub, your heaters have less work to do to get the water up to the temperature you require.

9. Service your hot tub regularly

When you first buy a hot tub, all of your parts are working efficiently, but over time, because of natural wear and tear, your parts deteriorate. This can impact the efficiency of your hot tub and increase your running costs.

Regular servicing by a professional will not only prevent leaks or broken parts, it will also prolong the life of your hot tub and keep your running costs down. At Hot Tubs Rock, we offer a range of servicing options, all carried out by experienced professionals that will give you peace of mind that your tub works efficiently and is safe to use. Regular servicing will also help keep your running costs to a minimum.

Servicing, repairs and relocations

Please note we are currently experiencing high volumes of work and we will be in touch as soon as we can to agree a date with you once your order has been placed. There is approximately a 4 week wait until we can be on site. Click the button below if you are unsure of the service you require and we will advise you further.

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The Importance of Regular Hot Tub Servicing
If you own a hot tub, you know how amazing it can be to soak in the warm, bubbly water after a long day. Hot tubs are a great way to relieve stress, soothe sore muscles, and promote relaxation. However, to keep your hot tub in top shape and ensure that it continues to provide you with these benefits for years to come, regular maintenance and servicing is essential.

Here are some of the top reasons why you should service your hot tub:

1. Efficiency and Longevity
Regular servicing can help to keep your hot tub running efficiently and effectively, which can extend its lifespan and prevent costly repairs down the line. By cleaning and maintaining the various components of your hot tub, such as the filter, heater, and pump, you can ensure that they are working correctly and not putting unnecessary strain on the system.

2. Cleanliness and Hygiene
Hot tubs can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, algae, and other contaminants that can build up over time. Servicing your hot tub can help to keep it clean and free from these health hazards, which can protect your health and the health of your guests. By regularly cleaning the hot tub and treating the water with the appropriate chemicals, you can help to prevent the growth of bacteria and other harmful organisms.

3. Early Detection of Issues
Regular servicing can help you to identify and address any issues before they become more serious. By catching and addressing small problems early on, you can save yourself time, money, and hassle in the long run. For example, if you notice that your hot tub is making strange noises or that the water is not heating up as quickly as it used to, a service technician can diagnose the issue and fix it before it becomes a major problem.

4. Safety
Finally, regular servicing is essential for maintaining the safety of your hot tub. A poorly maintained hot tub can pose a risk to you and your guests, such as by causing electrical shocks or creating a slip-and-fall hazard. By ensuring that your hot tub is in good working order and free from potential safety hazards, you can enjoy your hot tub with peace of mind

Learn how to keep you Hot Tub in in tip top condition with our  Maintenance Guide.

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10. Upgrade your hot tub

If you have had your hot tub for a while, one of the best ways to keep the running costs down is to invest in a new tub. Cheaper models deteriorate more rapidly and are built in such a way that running costs are generally higher.

Hot tub technology is always improving, and developers are constantly seeking ways to improve the efficiency of hot tubs, which plays an important role in reducing running costs. So, investing more in a more expensive tub may seem like an unnecessary expense, but it will pay for itself over the life of a tub, which for a quality hot tub, can be as much as 10 years.

If you rushed out during lockdown and bought an inflatable tub that you quickly fell in love with, upgrading from an inflatable to a hard shell will really help with running costs. Inflatables cost more to run and are much harder to insulate, so upgrading may be a much costlier initial outlay, but over the coming months and years, it will be much cheaper to run.

Summary

In essence, when you are thinking about ways to reduce your hot tub’s energy usage, the focus is on maintaining the temperature of your water so your heater doesn’t have to work so hard to get your tub up to temperature.

Maintaining the cleanliness of your water is not only important for the safety of anyone using the hot tub, but it also puts less strain on your parts, which prolongs the life of your hot tub and keeps the running costs down, and it prevents you from having to change your water too regularly. You should only change the water in your tub every 3 or 4 months. Every time you change your water it takes a lot of energy to heat the water up from scratch so keeping your water clean at all times will keep those costs down.

Other methods you could try include: using the sleep/rest mode for your tub; if you’re already considering installing an air source or ground source heat pump; if you have solar panels, only heating your tub when you are using the solar energy you’ve collected; if you’re on a night time tariff for charging an electric car, schedule your heating to take place at night will keep the costs down considerably.

If you try a few of these methods, you’ll be surprised at how much money you will save so you can enjoy the soothing and restorative powers of your hot tub, without the worry of spiralling energy bills.