How Much Does a Hot Tub Affect Your Power Bills?
There’s no denying that hot tubs are good for the body and soul. But as a prospective buyer, you might be wondering just how much does a hot tub affect your power bills? This is a legitimate concern that you should carefully think about before buying.
However, considering the innovative design and engineering of today’s high-quality hot tubs, it’s possible to enjoy a daily soak of pure bliss for less than a couple of trips to Starbucks. Our energy efficient lines of Hot Spring® spas can run as little as $10 to $20 each month to operate! Now it’s easier and more affordable than ever to own your own hot tub without having a negative affect on your power bills.
Only Quality Hot Tubs
There are several factors affecting the energy costs associated with operating a hot tub. These include your location, the size of your model, and how frequently it’s used. To keep energy costs low, look for an energy-efficient spa that uses the highest quality materials. The initial cost might be higher, but all savvy shoppers know that quality always pays off in the long run.
It’s What’s on the Inside that Counts
Choosing a spa with the most effective insulation is the number one way to keep your energy costs to a minimum. A hot tub with better insulation will consume less energy. A poorly insulated hot tub will lose heat through its walls. This means it has to work much harder to keep water temperatures regulated. Our Hot Spring Limelight® and Hot Spot® collections use an innovative FiberCor® insulation which is 4 times as dense as foam insulation used in many hot tubs. The Hot Spring Highlife® collection uses the highest level of multi-density full-foam insulation to achieve the very lowest costs to operate. A cheaply-made hot tub with low-quality insulation is much less energy-efficient.
Consistency is Key
Keeping your hot tub at a consistent temperature will actually lower your operational costs. We are all conditioned to turn off lights when we leave a room (thanks to dads everywhere!) and adjust the thermostat frequently to lower our power bills, but the opposite is true for your spa. It requires much more energy to heat up the water in your hot tub than it does to maintain your desired temperature. If you are soaking on a regular basis, it’s most efficient to set the temperature and leave it. Bonus: it’s always ready for you! However, if you are going out of town for an extended period of time, turning down the temperature is a good idea.
Keep it Covered
Everyone remembers their mom telling them to wear a hat in the winter to stay warm, right? That’s because we lose most of our body heat through our heads, they said. Well, it turns out that hot tubs aren’t much different! Because water evaporates and heat rises, it’s important to keep your spa covered with a high-quality cover. This is one of the most important components of preserving a constant water temperature and thus lowering your operating costs. A good cover should fit tightly and be constructed with a dense foam core. Consider investing in a cover lifter; if it’s easier to use, you’re more likely to use it regularly.
Make sure to give that cover a little TLC as well. A good rule of thumb is to clean and condition your cover on a monthly basis. Inspect your cover regularly. A brittle, cracked, or sagging cover should be replaced to keep your hot tub running at its optimal efficiency.
If energy-efficiency and ongoing utility costs are your concern, you can relax knowing that our high-quality spas are designed with you and your power bill in mind! Download our free hot tub buyer’s guide today.
