How Much Does It Cost To Run A Hot Tub
While owning a hot tub is well worth it, there are many costs to consider on the backend before you decide to make your first purchase.
There are plenty of perceived hot tub costs that deter people from ever wanting to own a hot tub, which is completely reasonable. Of course, to truly understand the cost of hot tub ownership, you need to break down the costs.
Come dive in as we explore the expenses that come along with owning a hot tub to see if the investment is right for you.
Singular Installation Costs
For starters, you're going to need to procure a strong foundation for your tub to sit on, such as a sturdy deck or a concrete slab. You won't need to pay for anything if you already have a location for the foundation. However, if you don't, you can expect to pay around $5 per-square-foot for a concrete foundation or an average of $25 per-square-foot for wood decking.
You may also need to consider the electrical costs when it comes to installation, which can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000, depending on your current setup. See our "how much does electricity does a hot tub use?" page to calculate exact figures.
If you get a standard 220V hot tub, you'll need to install a GFCI mechanism. Unless you're a trained electrician, you will likely need to hire one, which can cost extra.
Of course, if you decide to purchase a plug n play model that works with a standard 110v outlet, you won't need to consider this cost.
Heating Costs
How much does it cost to keep your hot tub warm? There are a few factors you will need to consider when it comes to your electricity bill, including the water temperature you run your new hot tub at, how often you run your hot tub, and the unit price per kilowatt-hour.
When it comes to hot tub energy costs, expect to spend around $1 per day on average.
However, newer hot tubs that pride themselves on extreme energy-efficiency can run on about $23 per month, which is why we always recommend purchasing a newer hot tub model. An older model with a poor water heater and a build that doesn't protect from energy and heat loss could end up spiking your energy bill.
Your electric bill will definitely sit on the higher side if you run your hot tub consistently. However, you can reduce your electric bill if your hot tub has a built-in timer, which is a feature we recommend looking for when buying a hot tub.
Regardless, the cost to heat a spa is pretty minimal and should not be one of the major deciding factors.
Water and Chemicals
Beyond your energy costs and your electric bill, you'll need to consider the ongoing cost of chemicals and water filtration. You will also need to account for the fact that hot tubs require refilling. A typical hot tub should have its water drained and refilled every four months. The water cost depends on the size of your hot tub and the cost per gallon. These costs will be found in your water bill.
To balance and sanitize your hot tub's water, you'll need chemicals, such as bromine or chlorine. For these, you will likely end up spending around $15 on average per month. You can offset the number of chemicals that you need to purchase if you get a salt water system.
Maintenance and Repairs
Beyond the typical operating costs to run your hot tub, you will need to consider the necessary maintenance and repairs that come with owning a hot tub.
A hot tub filter, for example, must be replaced every one to two years. There are hot tubs out there that have a single filter and hot tubs out there that have dual filters.
A filter can run anywhere from $20 to $60. Each time you drain your hot tub and refill it, make sure to clean your filter.
It will extend the life of your hot tub and help them to run in a more energy-efficient manner.
While maintenance costs are something you should consider, expensive repairs are few and far between, especially if you have a newer hot tub model. Generally, the better that you take care of your hot tub, the less you will have to worry about serious repair costs.
Drain and refill your hot tub when necessary, keep the components and cover clean, maintain the water balance with specific chemicals, etc.
Insurance
Similar to a swimming pool, hot tubs can hike up the cost of your liability insurance.
To find out what your insurance will look like after purchasing a tub, you will need to get in touch with your insurance company.
On average, hot tubs won't increase premiums any more than $20 per year.
Final Thoughts - Should You Buy a Hot Tub?
The cost to run a hot tub can change depending on the model you buy, the area you live in, and how well you take care of it. Just make sure to consider energy costs, running costs, electricity costs, and maintenance costs, as these are the most important factors that go into the overall cost of a hot tub.
Make sure to compare specs from different hot tub manufacturers, as there is no better way to gauge what your expenses will look like.
If you want to see how much hot tubs themselves cost, either see our hot tub prices page to cover all types or see our in ground hot tub costs page for the built in type.
