Ways to reduce your Hot Tub running costs

The days seem to be getting colder. And jumping into your own personal hot tub has never sounded more appealing. 
 
But, maintaining a ‘ready to hop in’ temperature of 40 degrees Celsius in the cold Winter months can use more energy, and cost you more money. Turning your hot tub dreams into a soaring electricity bill nightmare. 

But don’t worry! Running efficiently, a good hot tub should cost you between £60 and £120 a month extra, throughout the year. If it’s costing you more, there are a few ways to reduce your energy costs.

 
We look at different ways for you to reduce your hot tub running costs.
While still getting maximum use out of your hot tub.

  1. Turn the temperature down on your hot tub
  2. Use Rest or Eco Mode
  3. Check your electricity tariff
  4. Check the condition of your hot tub cover
  5. Insulate your hot tub cabinet
  6. Close your hot tub air jets
  7. Clean your hot tub filters
  8. Upgrade your hot tub
  9. Upgrade to a Heat Pump
    In Summary

#1 Turn The Temperature Down On Your Hot Tub

Most people like to run their hot tubs between 38 – 40 degrees Celsius. Making sure it is ready to use whenever you want.

But, holding a hot tub at this temperature, especially in cold weather, can use more energy and cost more money to run.

The easiest way to save money on your hot tub is to turn the temperature down a few degrees. Each degree will save you approx. 10% on your hot tub energy bill.

This might be a good idea if you like it a bit cooler. Or if you are not planning on using it for a while. But, if you love your hot tub really hot, then this might not be the best solution for you.

For ease of adjustment, you could consider a WiFi control for your Hot Tub. Most modern Hot Tub will allow this.

#2 Use Rest or Eco Modes

If you Hot Tub has a Rest or Eco mode, then take advantage of it. Most Hot Tub users will know when they use their Hot Tub, weekends for example. If you know the weekend is when the Hot Tub will be used, why have it at 38 / 40c during the week when it’s not being used?
Rest or Eco model will stop the Hot Tub heating when it wants and will force it to only heat when filtering. Most Hot Tubs will allow you to reset your filter start time and duration.

If you have Solar panels on the property, set your filtration to run whilst your panels are producing.

#3 Check Your Electricity Tariff

Your hot tub runs off an electrical supply 24/7.

Check that you are in the best possible tariff for standing and unit charges. If not, and if possible, switch to a lower one. No matter how energy efficient your hot tub is, you’ll be wasting money on energy bills if you don’t have a good tariff.

#4 Check The Condition Of Your Hot Tub Cover

Is your hot tub cover heavy and water laden?

Does your hot tub cover lack insulation?

If the answer to either of these is yes, then you hot tub cover might not be as efficient as it could be. And it could be costing you money.

Approximately 60% of heat escapes through the surface of the hot tub. To reduce this, you need a well-insulated cover, that is in good condition.

If your hot tub cover is past it’s best, you may find it cheaper in the long run to get a replacement cover. Adding a floating cover can also help to hold in heat.

Or for a long-term solution why not explore the Covana! The Ultimate Hot Tub cover!

#5 Insulate Your Hot Tub Cabinet

Most Hot Tubs will have some form of Insulation.
Some manufactures use basic insulation on some of their cheap models and increase efficiency the higher up the range you go.

If your Hot Tub is lacking on insulation, you can look at additional insulation for your cabinets.
Super Quilt can offer a simple blanket type solution. Easy to fit to your Hot Tub and removed for service.

Kingspan or similar closed cell insulation can also be added to the back of the hot tub panels and corners. This will dramatically improve the efficiency of your Hot Tub.

#6 Close Your Hot Tub Air Jets

Air can introduce a whole new massage experience to your hot tub. But it also brings in cold air, which can reduce the water temperature. This means the hot tub is constantly working to bring the temperature up.

We suggest that you turn the air valves off, if your Hot Tub is fitted with them, while you are not using the hot tub to reduce hot tub running costs.

#7 Clean Your Hot Tub Filter

Keeping your hot tub clean is going to make your hot tubbing experience so much nicer. But it will also help to reduce your running costs. Double win.

If your filter is dirty and clogged, the filtration is going to have poor water flow and will have to work twice as hard to stay clean. Working harder = working longer in this case. And this will increase your hot tub bills.

Make sure you rinse your filter on a weekly basis using an instant or an overnight filter cleaner. It’s a good idea to get a spare filter so that you can rotate them while cleaning and never have any downtime on your hot tub.

#8 Upgrade Your Hot Tub

Sometimes there is just no saving your hot tub.

If its old, chances are the newer more efficient models will be cheaper to run (provided it is well built and well insulated).

If you’re losing a lot of money on energy bills, you might want to look at upgrading to a newer model.

Take a look at our most efficient Hot Tub from the American Whirlpool.

#9 Upgrade To Air Source Heat Pump

An Air source heat pump and reduce electrical consumption by up to 75% and speed up heating times.

For example a 14kw heat pump will used 960watts per hour and increase a 1000 litter Hot Tub from 15c to 38c in approximately 4 hours. A 23 degree increase

The heat pump should run for 4 hours to get to desired temperature and use less than 4kw hours.

A Hot Tub with a 3kw electric heater will increase the water at a rate of 2 degrees per hour.

Your heater will be running for approximately 12 hours and will be using 3 kwh per hour. Total of 36kwh.

Current cost per unit / kwh (Feb 2022) 25p per unit.

Reheat cost

Standard heater £9
Air Source pump £1

Running costs

            Maintaining temp at 38c after 1 hour of use with Electric heater.

Assuming loss of 5 degrees, your Hot Tub will need to Tub for 5hrs and will cost approx.
£3.75

Maintaining temp at 38c after 1 hour of use with Heat pump.

Assuming loss of 5 degrees, your Hot Tub will need to Tub for 2hrs and will cost approx.
50p

Heat pumps can be added to nearly all Hot Tubs and Swim Spas.

Give us a call for more information.

In Summary

Turn your temperature down
Make use of rest or eco modes
Make sure your cover in in good order
Look at a floating cover
Check your insulation
Check you tariff
Close your Air Valves
Keep your filters clean
Upgrade the Hot Tub to a new efficient model
Add a heat pump

We can’t do much about the rise in energy costs, but we can help you reduce your Hot Tubs electrical usage.

Give one of our team a call today on 01872 573350 to see how we can help.

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