And then you got your electric bill, and it was a bit higher than usual. Maybe a lot higher. Maybe you went through the house turning off all the lights and nonessential appliances. Before you made your purchase, you may have wondered, “How much does it cost to run a hot tub?” but thought you’d just figure it out as you went along. Well, now it’s time to make some adjustments so you can save money and energy, and go back to electric light instead of candles.

So Just How Much Does It Cost to Run a Hot Tub?

Good question! And we have the answer. Ready? Here it is:

It depends.

Yeah, bit of a letdown, isn’t it? Sure, it’d be nice if there were one definitive answer you could use to plan your hot tub maintenance and all the related expenses. But the truth is, how much it costs you to run your hot tub isn’t the same as it costs your neighbor, or someone in another city, state, or country. There are just too many variables.

The costs to run a hot tub depend on several factors.

• Hot tub make and model
• Hot tub age
• Local cost of utilities (water and electricity)
• Local sales tax (applies to supplies you purchase)
• How long you run your hot tub
• How often you run your hot tub
• How many people use your hot tub (higher bather load will require more chemicals)
• Whether you keep your hot tub covered
• Hot tub temperature you maintain
• Whether your hot tub is salt water
• How well you take care of your hot tub
• Whether you’ve upgraded any of your equipment for better efficiency

Typically, the cost to run an energy-efficient hot tub is about $1 per day or a $20-$30 increase in your monthly electric bill. However, if your hot tub is really old or not well taken care of, it could be up to $50 per month.

The good news is, though it’s impossible to pin down any exact hot tub costs, what is possible is using certain tactics to keep your hot tub maintenance expenses low, regardless of any of the variables.

Heat Up Your Hot Tub During Off-Peak Utility Hours

Electricity is often cheaper late at night or early in the morning when less people are using it. So you can save money on your energy bill by heating your hot tub up at night or early in the morning.

If your hot tub thermostat has a circuit timer, set this to heat your spa during off-peak hours.

Get and Use a hot tub cover

If you haven’t already invested in a good hot tub cover, that’s your first step to saving money and energy. You can get a good one for just a few hundred dollars, and you’ll make that money back in water, heating and chemical savings.

Putting a cover on your hot tub reduces evaporation, traps heat, and prevents chemicals from evaporating right along with the water. Keep all those things where they’re supposed to be, and you don’t have to replace them as often.

If you do have a cover, and it’s been sitting next to your hot tub getting dusty, clean it off, and start using it today to start the savings as soon as possible.

Finally, if you have a cover, and you do use it regularly, take a little time to inspect it and make sure it’s still in good condition with no tears or other damage that can affect its performance.

MySpaCover Hot Tub Cover, Fits Any Shape Any Size Up To 96" - 5-inch taper

Buy Now

If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Get and Use a Thermal Blanket

Wait, you just covered your hot tub, and now we want you to tuck it in with a cozy blanket too? Yup. Think of it as insulation.

A thermal blanket is just one more layer that will trap heat, prevent evaporation, and keep your hot tub chemicals where they belong—in the hot tub! It lies directly on the water, and under the cover, adding protection and efficiency.

Most thermal blankets also double as solar blankets, meaning you can lay them over the water of an outdoor hot tub, and use the sun’s power to heat the water so your heater doesn’t have to work as hard. Add a thermal blanket to your setup, and you should see a drop in your electric bill.

Solar Cover for Hot Tubs

Using an extra thermal blanket underneath your existing cover during the winter will help your hot tub retain temperature, prevent freezing, and keep your energy bill down!

Buy Now on Amazon

If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Block the Wind

If your hot tub is outdoors, you have a few extra things to worry about. Leaves and other debris falling into the water. Little critters going for a swim (unless you keep it covered). And wind. Seems pretty innocuous, but wind can have a noticeable effect on your hot tub.

The more the air above your spa moves, the more quickly the water will evaporate. Wind will also cool the water, making your heater have to work even harder to maintain the set temperature. There’s no danger of that while your hot tub is covered, but what about while you’re using it?

Create a windbreak around your hot tub with small bushes or a barrier screen. You can even make it part of your outdoor decor.

4 Panel Room Divider

$54.99

Buy Now

If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

01/27/2023 08:49 pm GMT

Set The Right Temperature

You may have heard that it’s cheaper to leave your hot tub running all the time. But it really depends on how often you use it and what temperature you keep it at.

• If you use your hot tub once a day, aim to keep your hot tub temperature around 95 degrees Fahrenheit (or 35 Celsius). You may want to increase the temperature before you get in, but keeping it at 95 degrees means you’re not wasting a lot of energy maintaining a high temperature. Just be sure to lower it down to 95 degrees after you’re done using it.
• If you use your hot tub every 2-3 days, you may want to keep it around 80 degrees Fahrenheit (or about 26 Celcius). You’ll still use less electricity if you keep it running, but you’ll also save money by not keeping it constantly hot.
• If you use your hot tub only once a week, you may want to consider turning it off between uses, so long as it’s not freezing outside. If you live in a colder climate, you’ll either need to keep your hot tub running 24/7 in the winter or winterize your hot tub if you’re not using it.

The maximum recommended temperature for a hot tub is 104°F (40°C), but that doesn’t mean you have to keep it there. Setting a lower hot tub temperature will save energy and money, and will reduce evaporation, thereby preserving the chemicals in the water.

Start with the average human body temperature of 98.6°F (37°C), and if it’s too cool, slowly notch the thermostat up until you’re comfortable. Use a floating thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature so it doesn’t get too hot. Then remember to use your thermal blanket and cover to help maintain that temperature between soaks.

Swimline 9250 HydroTools Solar Powered Digital Pool and Spa Thermometer

Buy Now

If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Keep Your Spa Clean

This one really should go without saying, but we get it. It’s easy to become a little lax after a while, and go longer and longer between hot tub cleanings. Maybe this will help.

The longer you go without cleaning your hot tub, the more body oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria you’re soaking in. Motivating, isn’t it?

When your spa water is dirty, it takes a toll on the filtration system. It can also start to damage surfaces, and even create buildup inside the plumbing. Let all this go for too long, and you’ll be looking at a hefty bill to replace damaged parts. Keeping your hot tub clean keeps it in good working order, which will save you money.

The thing is, while you do need to drain and clean your hot tub a few times a year (we recommend quarterly), it doesn’t have to be that intense every time.

Use hot tub cleaner on the shell’s top that surrounds the tub. Clean the pillows to keep them mildew free. And keep the cover clean to prevent debris or other yucky stuff from falling into the water when you cover it up.

More importantly, clean the hot tub filter on a regular basis. Sometimes, all it’ll need is a good spray with the hose. But if it’s really dirty, use a filter cleaner to get more life out of it. When you can’t get the filter clean anymore, it’s time to replace it.

Oh Yuk Healthy Hot Tub Cleaner - 1 gal.

Buy Now

If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Close Your Air Jets

How does your hot tub get all bubbly? The air jets! They blow air into the water, creating the bubbles that help ease your tired muscles while you soak. But when you’re not using your hot tub, and the jets aren’t on, they’re still a pathway for air to get into the tub, which can cool the water down. Cool it too much, and your heater will have to work twice as hard to bring the temperature back up to a comfortable level.

The solution is simple. Close the jets when you’re not using your spa. This will help keep cool air out, and help keep the water temperature steady. The less work your spa heater has to do, the less it’ll cost you in both electricity and wear and tear on your equipment.

Hayward Electric Spa Heater - 11 kw.

Buy Now

If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Conserve Water

Along with taking steps to reduce evaporation, you can be much more proactive in conserving water. The biggest way is to avoid splashout as much as possible. A hot tub should be fun and you should definitely enjoy it, but maybe save the splashing games for the pool where there’s more space, and less chance of water being lost and then having to be replaced.

Also, make sure the jets aren’t pointed upward where they could cause water to splash out.

Finally, keep an eye out for hot tub leaks. They can occur in the hot tub shell, in the plumbing, and in the connections for all the spa equipment, like the pump and filter. If you suspect a leak, track it down as quickly as possible, and repair it.

Plastic Repair Kit for Pools and Hot Tubs

Buy Now

If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Upgrade Your Hot Tub

This may seem like a drastic measure, but it may also be necessary. Say you buy a house that already has a hot tub on the property. Bonus! Or is it? How old is the tub? Did the previous owners take care of it? What kind of condition is it in? If it wasn’t properly cared for, it may actually cost you less to replace it rather than try to refurbish it.

Or maybe it’s just that you’ve had your hot tub for a while now, and it’s time to upgrade to a more energy-efficient model. Newer spas are built to use less energy, and work better than ever before.

Before you buy a lot of accessories or make a lot of changes in an effort to save money, run the numbers and determine whether it may be more cost-effective to simply go with a new hot tub.

5 Person Spa - 50 Jets

Buy Now

If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

You Just Graduated Hot Tub Savings Training!

So now when your family and friends express interest in getting their own spa, and they ask you, “How much does it cost to run a hot tub?” you’ll be able to explain the cost factors to them, and give them advice on how to keep expenses low.

More importantly, you’ll be able to help them enjoy their investment even more because it won’t feel like a burden, and they won’t experience buyer’s remorse because they’ll be prepared. Just like you are!

Happy Soaking!

The post How Much Does It Cost to Run a Hot Tub? appeared first on Swim University®.

Depending on your hot tub, your control panel can vary greatly. Some hot tubs may only have one button on their control panel while others could have as many as eight. It depends on the make and model of your hot tub. Today, let’s explore the hot tub control panel, some of the most common commands found on the control panel and how you troubleshoot it if there is a problem.

Hot Tub Control Panel Menu

There are several common choices that will be found on most hot tub control panels these days. Let’s examine each one.

Blower

The Blower button controls the hot tub’s influx of air from the blower. These blowers are different from jets as they produce a gentle bubbling to enhance your spa experience.

Light

If your spa is equipped with a light for nighttime bathing, then this button is used to control the light. You can turn it on, adjust the brightness, and even adjust the lighting color if your hot tub supports it right from your control panel.

Jets

Your jets are much more intense than your blower, and are really what we think of when soaking in a hot tub. Some larger hot tubs may have up to three jet buttons on the control panel that allow you to adjust the speed and strength of your jets. In most cases, pushing the button the first time will turn them on a low setting and pushing it again will increase the speed.

Temperature

This is the setting that allows you to adjust the temperature of your water. If you want it hot, you can increase the temperature, but if it is too hot, you can always reduce it as well. Most hot tubs come with settings preprogrammed into them today, but you can still make several adjustments to the temperature. However, you probably won’t be able to go past 104 degrees, as many hot tubs are set to stay at that temperature or cooler.

Troubleshooting Hot Tub Control Panels

Thankfully, your control panel makes it easy to troubleshoot problems with your hot tub tub. Let’s examine some of the most common errors you may encounter on your hot tub’s control panel.

GFI or GFCI Failure

Your LCD display will show you if there is a GFI or GFCI failure. If it is tripping the breaker, you may need to have a technician look at your hot tub to make sure it is safe. While you can do this yourself, mixing water and electricity is always dangerous, so be very careful if you are going to troubleshoot this one yourself.

Overheating

If you see messages on the panel including HH, HTR TEMP LMT, OH, or OHH, your hot tub could have overheated. Don’t get in the water, as it may be too hot for soaking. Remove the cover from your hot tub and turn off the system so the water temperatures can lower. Then reset the system on your control panel.

No Messages

If you aren’t getting any messages on your control panel or nothing lights up, it could be disconnected from your hot tub. Check your connections to make sure everything is secure and tight. In some cases, it could be a bad wire. In this case, the faulty wire will have to be replaced before you can return power to your control panel.

Missing Numbers

Is your control panel not giving you the correct numbers on the readout? This could be a result of a dirty connection or moisture in your wiring. Remove the panel and clean everything carefully. Check for water leaks and make sure everything is dry.

Can’t Read Panel In the Dark

Like most LCD displays, a hot tub control panel uses a backlight to help you see what is on the screen. If you have trouble reading it at night, the backlight could be burned out. Replace the backlight and see if that takes care of your problem.

Panel Flickers

If your panel is flickering, you could have a voltage problem with the wiring going to your control panel. It’s possible your unit can’t support the voltage of the control panel you purchased, but if it has worked in the past, chances are it is just a loose connection. Check all your connections, clean it thoroughly and test.

Replacing Your Control Panel

In some cases, it may be necessary to replace your hot tub’s control panel. This can easily be done yourself. Just make sure that the control panel you purchase is compatible with your hot tub. It’s a fairly simple process. You turn off the power to the unit and disconnect it from the control box. Place the new one where the old one was and then reconnect the wires. When finished, turn the power on and test the control panel.

Final Thoughts

Your hot tub’s control panel is the center of your hot tub universe. It allows you to control everything about your hot tub and can even help you troubleshoot problems with your hot tub as well. Understanding how to use and take care of your hot tub control panel is essential to good hot tub health. So what are you waiting for? Dig into those menus and see what you can learn about your hot tub just by using the hot tub control panel.

Happy Soaking!

The post How Does a Hot Tub Control Panel Work? appeared first on Swim University®.

This system circulates the water through your hot tub and removes any of the contaminates in the water. That, combined with the chemicals or other sanitizing agents you use in your hot tub, cleans the water so you can enjoy a nice soak that not only feels great, but is also safe.

But how does this system actually work? Let’s take a closer look at how a hot tub’s filtration system works so you can understand what your hot tub is busy doing day in and day out.

Filter System

Every hot tub uses a filter to remove dirt and other debris in the water. How they go about this task differs mainly based on the type of filter that is used.

Suction Type

The suction type filter is the most common type of filter you will see used in hot tubs today. These systems are always mounted on the top for easy access. They are often much larger than the other type of filters and are much easier to maintain. However, you must perform regular maintenance on them in order for them to be effective.

Pressure Type

Pressure filters aren’t the most common, but are still in use today in some spas and are often found in older hot tubs. In this system, the filter cartridge is often smaller and housed in a sealed canister with the skimmer in a separate unit by itself. These systems can handle much more pressure and don’t require maintenance as often. However, the maintenance tends to be more difficult when you do have to work on them.

Which Is Better?

Don’t look at it as a positive or a negative. The fact is they are both very different from each other but they basically do the same job, and they both do it well. All you must do is figure out which one you would prefer to work on. Do you want the filter that is easy to maintain but must be serviced more often or the filter that is more difficult to work on but doesn’t have to maintained as often? Really, in th end, it all comes down to you.

Filtration Cycles

A filtration cycle is the amount of water that passes through your hot tub’s filter. Every hot tub is different, and you may have some control over this. However, this is the true test of the quality of your hot tub. The more water you can pump through the filtration system the cleaner it will be.

Circulation Pumps

A circulation pump differs from the main pump and the jets of your hot tub. It is basically a secondary pump that runs continuously to pump smaller amounts of water through the filtration system. These run even when your main system is shut down. While you can’t use them alone, they are a great way to keep the water clean as they prevent standing water in your hot tub.

Control System

While the above represents the main parts of the filtration system, you can’t forget the control system. This system is usually controlled by a panel on your hot tub. From this panel, you can access the many features of your hot tub as well as control the filtration system.

Depending on the type of hot tub you have, your ability to control the filtration system will vary. In some cases, you can control the flow of water and set how much water is regularly filtered in your hot tub. In other cases, you will be able to select various presets all based on bather load in your hot tub.

Learn this system well so you can properly control your hot tub, and be prepared to adjust the filtration system during heavier bather loads to ensure the water remains clean.

So How Does It Work?

It’s quite simple when you think about it. Your jets and your pump push the water through the hot tub filter to remove any particles in the water. The more water that can be pumped through the filtration system during a cycle the cleaner it will be. These cycles often run periodically through the day based on your bather load. Make sense?

Final Thoughts

Your hot tub’s filtration system is your main defense against dirt and other debris that could foul the water of your hot tub. That’s why it is so important to keep it maintained. In the end, you don’t want to be bathing in dirty water, do you?

While the system itself is rather simple, it is, in many ways the main arteries of your system. Without them, your hot tub simply isn’t safe to use. Now that you know and understand the basics about this system, you are in a better position to care for it properly so you never have to worry about dirty water ever again.

Happy Soaking!

The post How Does a Hot Tub’s Filtration System Work? appeared first on Swim University®.