How Much Does It Cost to Run a Hot Tub? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $480 - $1,200
The average cost to run a hot tub is around $800 per year. Most homeowners spend between $360 and $1,500 annually, including electricity and maintenance.
Hot tubs add to your annual budget with electricity, maintenance, and repair costs. Certain repairs can increase your bill, and some years, certain components will break down more than others. Expect to spend about $20 to $50 per month on electricity alone.
Though most homeowners think about the installation cost, ongoing expenses can sink or swim your household budget. This guide will help you plan for the cost of running a hot tub so you can relax. After all, isn’t that why you got a hot tub in the first place?
- Average
- $800
- Low end
- $360
- high end
- $1,500
Factors That Impact the Cost to Run a Hot Tub
There are many good reasons to get a hot tub. This spa-like upgrade can boost your mood, ease your aches and pains, and improve your sleep—but how much does it cost to run a hot tub? Ongoing expenses are a balance of electricity and maintenance, but certain factors will impact each cost.
Maintenance and Repairs
Hot tub maintenance costs between $240 and $900 per year, including balancing the chemicals, changing the filters, draining and refilling the water, cleaning the hot tub, and making necessary repairs.
Hot tub repairs sometimes cost over $1,000, but the average falls into the $175 to $550 range. You won’t have to make repairs every month, but it’s important to consider them when budgeting for the overall cost of running your hot tub.
Hot Tub Size
The larger the hot tub, the more it will cost to run. Heating a hot tub is similar to heating a pool. The more gallons in your pool, the more energy it takes to heat and circulate the water. This raises costs, but energy isn’t the only factor. Larger hot tubs also require more chemicals and larger filters, increasing costs.
Heating
The average hot tub heater uses between 1,500 watts of electricity (for 120V) and 6,000 watts (for 240V). The added cost to your electric bill depends on the local cost of kilowatt hours, but the more you run your heater, the more it costs.
Filtration System
Most pumps use around 1,500 watts of electricity. Pumps are crucial to your filtration system and push the water through the filter. It’s not just about the pump, though. The quality of your filtration system can also impact the cost of running your hot tub. Higher-quality systems may cost more upfront, but they require less maintenance and use less energy.
Climate
It takes more energy to heat a hot tub in a colder climate than a warm one. Homeowners spend more to heat outdoor hot tubs in the winter than they do in the summer. Even experiencing a mild winter can save you on your energy bill.
Temperature
You’ll spend more money if you set your hot tub at a high temperature than at a low temperature. Most people set their hot tubs between 100 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit, though they may dip them down to lower temperatures in warm weather or when cleaning their tub.
For health reasons, your hot tub should never exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit (or 100 degrees Fahrenheit for pregnant women), and the thermostat on most units will not go higher.
Hot Tub Cover
A high-quality cover can help insulate the water, preventing heat loss when the hot tub is not in use. This will conserve energy and lower your monthly bill. You can purchase one if your hot tub doesn’t come with a well-insulated cover.
Energy Efficiency
Before installing your hot tub, pay attention to energy-efficient features. New energy-efficient models can cost about $10 per month to run. Look for heating modes (like economy mode) that help reduce energy use when you’re not using the tub.
If you’re looking for a new unit, a hot tub installer near you can help you find a model with the best balance of price and energy efficiency.
Saltwater
Some hot tubs can accommodate a saltwater system. If you have a saltwater hot tub, you’ll have the added cost of replacing the salt. It may also require more maintenance (like additional cleaning to prevent corrosion). That said, not all hot tubs can accommodate saltwater.
Cost of Hot Tub Maintenance
As mentioned above, owning a hot tub comes with a certain amount of maintenance—including raising and lowering the pH of the water, balancing chemicals to prevent the growth of bacteria, changing filters, refilling your tub with water, cleaning, and making repairs. These costs range between $240 and $900 per year (including minor repairs). Here’s how the costs break down further.
| Hot Tub Maintenance | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Chemicals | $120–$240 per year |
| Filters | $20–$60 per year |
| Cleaning (professional) | $300 per clean |
| Water | $4–$200 per year |
| Repairs | $175–$1,000+ per repair |
Chemicals
Every hot tub or Jacuzzi® needs chemical additives like chlorine, bromine, and pH and alkalinity treatments. These chemicals cost about $10 to $20 per month or $120 to $240 per year. These are essential to keeping your hot tub water clean and safe.
Filters
Filters for your hot tub cost between $20 and $60. You’ll need to change the filter at least once every year. To keep your filters in tip-top shape, check for damage and debris every two weeks and clean them monthly with a hose and filter cleaner.
Cleaning
Most manufacturers recommend cleaning your hot tub quarterly, though you may want to deep clean it every month. Professional cleaning will cost around $300 per clean (or $1,200 per year to cover quarterly cleanings). Otherwise, you can consider purchasing the following to clean the hot tub yourself:
Hot tub cleaning solution: $15
Skimmer: $5–$15
Spa vacuum: $80–$100
Water
Most people spend $1 to $50 filling up their hot tub with water, but it depends on the source. Municipal water (like the kind from your garden hose) is the most affordable and costs $0.004 to $0.01 per gallon. To put that into perspective: The standard hot tub holds 300 to 500 gallons of water. When water levels get low, you’ll need to top them off. Ideally, you’ll drain and refill your tub four times a year during deep cleaning.
| Water Source | Average Cost Range (Per Gallon) |
|---|---|
| City water | $0.004–$0.01 |
| Well water | $0 (pay for electricity only) |
| Water delivery service | $0.03–$0.10 |
Repairs
Budget for regular repairs as a part of your hot tub expenses. Eventually, something will break, and you’ll need to fix it. Most hot tub repairs cost $175 to $550, like repairing a jet, blower, or frame. Certain issues, like a broken pump or extensive leaking, could cost over $1,000 to fix.
Additional Ongoing Hot Tub Expenses
In addition to ongoing hot tub costs, most homeowners added expenses to help maintain or enhance their hot tub area. For example, you may have a pool deck or light requiring maintenance or landscaping upkeep to consider. Here are some of the most common add-on costs.
| Hot Tub Add-On | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Pool accessories | $5–$125 |
| Lighting repairs | $20–$150 |
| Pressure washing a pool deck | $200–$400 |
| Pool deck repair | $100–$600 |
| Pool inspection | $125–$500 |
| Landscaping | $190–$1,000 |
Pool Accessories
The cost of pool accessories depends on what you decide to add on to your hot tub for an enjoyable or practical setup. You can buy a pool thermometer for around $10. Sometimes, hot tub thermostats get out of whack, leading to inaccurate readings. A pool thermometer can tell you the actual temperature so you can optimize for cost savings. Other accessories include:
Floating serving trays: $25–$100
Inflatable cup holders: $5–$25
Bluetooth speakers: $40–$125
Lighting
You can hire a pool electrician to install lighting around your hot tub, making the space safer after dark. The ongoing costs depend on the price of electricity in your area, but unless you opt for solar lights, it will add to your monthly electric bill. Hot tub light repairs cost around $65 to $150 per light, though you’ll spend as little as $20 replacing a light bulb.
Pool Deck Maintenance
If you have a pool or hot tub deck, you’ll need to maintain it. This includes regular cleaning and occasional repair of the decking material. Pressure washing costs $200 to $400 on average. Deck repairs cost about $100 to $600, but it goes up if you need to replace boards.
Pool Inspection
A pool inspection costs $125 to $250, though you can expect to spend closer to the low end for anything the size of a hot tub or small plunge pool. You don’t need an annual hot tub inspection, but you may want to get a hot tub inspected if you start to notice issues. This can identify problems before they become costly repairs.
Landscaping
You may have to factor in landscaping costs for the area around your hot tub. On top of the upfront costs, your maintenance will most likely include yard cleanup—like removing leaves, mowing the lawn, or weeding. Expect to spend about $400 per month, with most jobs ranging from $190 to $1,000.
Mowing: $50–$250 per service
Weeding: 470–$150 per service
Leaf removal: $190–$600 per service
Hedging and pruning: $75–$850 per service
Ways to Reduce the Cost of Running a Hot Tub
Like any other type of pool, reducing the cost of running a hot tub involves conserving energy. There are some simple measures you can take to help insulate your hot tub and increase its efficiency.
Block the Wind
If wind—especially a frigid winter wind—hits the water in your hot tub, it can quickly reduce the temperature. To prevent this, use a windscreen, strategic fencing, or some well-placed shrubbery to block the wind.
Use a High Quality Cover or Thermal Blanket
Keep your hot tub covered whenever it’s not in use to prevent the heat from escaping. Also, consider purchasing a high-quality cover that can properly insulate the water.
In addition to a cover, you can purchase a thermal blanket. Some options surround your entire hot tub to insulate the whole unit, which is ideal if you have an aboveground model. Others fit just over the water for in-ground models.
Keep Your Heater Running
You can save money by using your heater even if you’re not using your hot tub. Set the temperature according to your usage—lower temps for infrequent use and higher temps for daily use. To conserve energy (and save on energy costs), here are some guidelines:
Daily use: Set your heater to maintain a temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit if you use your hot tub daily. You can raise the temperature right before using it but set it back down when you get out.
Weekly use: Set your heater to maintain a temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit if you only use your hot tub a few times per week.
Occasional use: If you only use your hot tub a couple of times per month, consider turning the heater off after each use as long as there is no risk of freezing. You’ll need to run your hot tub constantly during the winter in colder climates to prevent damage from freezing water.
Use Your Heater During Off-Peak Hours
Electricity can cost slightly more during peak hours. This is when the electrical grid has the most demand. Try scheduling your hot tub heater to run either early in the morning (prior to 8 am) or later in the evening (after 6 pm) to get reduced rates. The exact time depends on the time zone and the season, so check with your utility company.
Close the Jets
When you’re not using your hot tub, shut off the air controls for the jets. This helps maintain both temperature and pH, so you can use less energy and fewer chemicals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most hot tubs use between 1,500 watts and 6,000 watts of electricity, depending on the voltage of your heater. 120-volt heaters tip toward the low end, and 240-volt heaters tip toward the high end. Expect your pump to add another 1,500 watts. Newer, energy-efficient models use less electricity, while older models use more.
It’s less expensive to leave your hot tub on all the time, though you’ll want to keep it at a reduced temperature. How much you use the hot tub is also a factor. You’ll want to keep it at a constant temperature between 80 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit for weekly or daily use, then bump it up right before you get in. If you don’t plan to use your hot tub that often, you can turn it off as long as there’s no risk of freezing.
For most homeowners, a hot tub costs $2,000 to $11,000 to install—but it could cost as much as $35,000 depending on the type and customizations. The biggest factor is whether you choose an aboveground or in-ground model. A simple aboveground hot tub made from rotomolded plastic costs between $2,000 and $6,000. An in-ground hot tub costs $15,000 on average.
Though a hot tub has many benefits, there are a few cons. Mainly, hot tubs require a lot of maintenance. You’ll need to deep clean yours quarterly, test the pH at least once or twice a week, and add sanitizing chemicals once a week. They also have relatively high ongoing costs since you’ll need to pay for electricity and repairs.