Hot Tubs

Hot tubs may be soothing, but they can also use a significant amount of electricity to heat and filter the water. That's especially true of older hot tubs and spas. Many newer hot tubs and spas on the market have been designed to be remarkably energy-efficient, with excellent insulation and more efficient pumps and controls. Some of these hot tubs and spas use only half as much electricity as models that were sold just a decade ago.

Whether your hot tub or spa is an older model or fairly new, you can do several things to ensure that it operates as efficiently and affordably as possible. Making sure that your thermostat is accurate is the first step. Most health departments recommend that hot tubs and spas be no warmer than 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Higher temperatures require more electricity. When you're not using the spa, make sure it's tightly covered with an insulated cover. Finally, most people run their filter pumps more often than needed to keep the water clear and sanitary. If your pump has a timer, set it to run for a shorter period a couple of times a day. (If you have an energy-efficient continuous pump, it's actually designed to run all the time with minimal electricity usage.)

To calculate the costs of your hot tub, please use our Home Energy Calculator.