A hot tub offers relaxation and enjoyment in every season. In the summer, it provides you with a refreshing oasis to cool down after a long day. In the winter, it transforms into a cozy haven of heat, keeping you warm in the midst of cold weather. Of course, as a hot tub shopper, you’re not just thinking about how enjoyable your hot tub will be, but you’re also probably wondering how much it will cost to operate, especially when the temperatures start to drop.
In this blog post, we’ll explain how much it costs to run a hot tub during the winter and offer you ways to help reduce your energy costs.
Cost to Run a Hot Tub in Winter
The cost of running a hot tub in the winter depends on various factors including:
- Where you live
- Your energy costs
- How often you use your hot tub
However, if you want a more exact number, it will take some math. First, you’ll need to know how much you pay for every kilowatt of energy you use. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), homeowners in New England spent an average of 28.12 in October 2023 cents per kilowatt-hour (KWh).
Next, figure out how many KWh it takes to heat up your hot tub. To do this, determine how much energy it takes to fill the number of gallons in your hot tub. Keep in mind, it takes approximately 8.33 BTUs to raise the temperature of one gallon of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit.
Take the Optima® for example, it holds 410 gallons of water. It will take 170,765 BTUs to heat the water from 50 degrees Fahrenheit to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Since 170,765 BTUs is equivalent to 50.04 kWh, that means that if you’re paying 28.12 cents per kWh it will cost you $14.06 to heat your hot tub from 50 degrees Fahrenheit to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to Make Your Hot Tub More Energy-Efficient
If you want to use your hot tub year-round but also want to save money, consider the following to help reduce your energy costs:
Use a Quality Hot Tub Cover
If your hot tub isn’t securely covered when not in use, it will lose a lot of heat. This will then put significant stress on the heater as it works harder to keep your hot tub water hot, thus increasing the cost of running your hot tub. To combat this, make sure you invest in a good hot tub cover. It should create a tight, secure seal around the edges to prevent heat from escaping. Cover lifters are also great for conveniently moving the cover on and off your hot tub.
Invest in a Fully Insulated Hot Tub
If you live in an area with extremely cold winters, you’ll want to invest in a hot tub that’s fully insulated. Insulation can make all the difference when it comes to the cost of running your hot tub. Sundance® Spas, for example, uses a full-foam insulation system in their hot tubs which minimizes heat loss and helps reduce energy consumption.
Consider Smart Technology
Many hot tubs today come with smart technology upgrades allowing you to control and monitor your hot tub from your smart device. At Great Bay Spa & Sauna, we offer SmartTub®. This system tracks energy usage reports, gives you real-time notifications, and allows you to adjust temperature, lights, and jets. What’s more, SmartTub® reduces your hot tub energy consumption by automatically scheduling and controlling the temperature of your spa with its new Smart Heat Mode.
Conclusion
When it comes to how much a hot tub costs to run in winter, you’ll want to consider various factors like your energy costs, how much you plan to use your hot tub, and where you live. Typically, the colder the temperature is outside, the more it may cost you to heat the water in your hot tub. Fortunately, if you have a hot tub that is fully insulated and you invest in quality accessories to conserve energy and keep heat from escaping, you can help reduce your energy costs during winter.
If you’re shopping for a hot tub in New England, contact Great Bay Spa & Sauna. We have a variety of hot tubs in stock for delivery. We also invite you to our showroom to try them out for yourself! So stop by and find which hot tub is a perfect fit for your backyard space!
