How much does it cost to run a hot tub?

Hot tubs do not carry an energy rating label, so the cost comes from the power rating on the appliance and how long it runs: watts × hours ÷ 1,000 = kWh, × your electricity price. The defaults are typical; change them to the rating plate on yours.

Where to find the numbers

The heater rating (typically 2–3 kW on a 13 A plug-in tub, 3–6 kW hard-wired) and pump rating are on the spa pack or in the manual. Heating hours a day is how long the heater actually runs to hold temperature, which depends on the cover, insulation and outside air. Your electricity price is the unit rate on your bill (p/kWh).

What the figure is based on

In winter an outdoor tub can need two to three times the heating hours of summer. Inflatable tubs with thin covers sit at the top of the range. The pump default assumes a 12-hour filtration schedule.

What changes the cost

• Cover and insulation: most heat is lost from the surface; a fitted, thick cover and an insulated shell cut heating hours the most.
• Outside temperature and wind: winter heating hours can be two to three times summer.
• Set temperature: each degree lower saves noticeably; some owners drop it between uses.
• Pump schedule: filtration hours and a separate circulation pump run whether or not the tub is used.
• Inflatable tubs with thin covers and air-jet pumps sit at the top of the range.

For a specific model or any other appliance, use the electricity cost calculator.