Blog by All Weather Leisure - Shrewsbury
Owning a hot tub has so many benefits, including relaxation and stress relief, improved sleep quality, and social connection, just to name a few.
However, hot tub running costs are a point of concern for hot tub owners, and those considering buying a hot tub. One of the most common questions we get from our customers is “Should you leave your hot tub on all the time?”
There are many factors hot tub owners must consider when deciding if they should leave their hot tub on all the time, or turn it off and only heat it when it will be in use. To help you determine if you should leave your hot tub on all the time, let’s talk through the information you need to know about hot tub running costs.
To decide whether you should keep your hot tub heated at all times, it’s important to understand the costs involved with running a hot tub. Beyond the initial purchase of a hot tub, the main costs of running it are:
Heating costs: The energy needed to heat the water to your desired temperature. There are a few variables that affect this, including:Water costs: Hot tubs must be drained and refilled around once every 3 months to maintain water quality.
Hot tub size and insulation
The ambient temperature outside the hot tub
How frequently you use it
Your desired water temperature
Water costs: Hot tubs must be drained and refilled around once every 3 months to maintain water quality.
Maintenance costs: The various costs involved in keeping water clean and safe, and your hot tub in tip top shape
Chemicals and water care products
Filters that must be replaced periodically
Professional servicing and maintenance
Reasons to leave your hot tub on all the time
For a modern, well-insulated hot tub from a leading brand like Jacuzzi, leaving it on constantly is generally more cost-effective and beneficial.
Here’s why:
Energy efficiency of modern insulation:
Reduced reheating costs: The most significant energy drain for a hot tub is reheating cold water. Once the water reaches your desired temperature, a well-insulated hot tub (especially full-foam insulation) with a well-fitting cover will retain heat very effectively. It takes far less energy to maintain that temperature than it does to heat the entire body of water from scratch every time you want to use it.
Consistent availability:
Always ready: Beyond cost, the main benefit for users is that the hot tub is always at the perfect temperature, ready for a spontaneous soak whenever you feel like it. There’s no waiting for hours for it to heat up, which encourages more frequent use and enjoyment – if you have to plan ahead by several hours, you might be less likely to use your hot tub as often as you’d like, diminishing your return on investment.
Better water quality:
Continuous filtration: Leaving the hot tub on ensures the filtration system runs regularly, removing impurities, debris, and contaminants, leading to cleaner, clearer, and safer water.
Chemical dispersion: Continuous circulation helps distribute water treatment chemicals evenly throughout the water, making them more effective and reducing the likelihood of localised chemical imbalances or bacterial growth.
Reduced algae/bacteria growth: Consistent heating combined with filtration and sanitation makes it harder for algae and harmful bacteria to grow, reducing the need for excessive chemical use or “shocking.”
Protection of components:
Reduced wear and tear: Constantly switching the hub on and off puts more strain on it due to frequent start-up surges. Maintaining a steady state generally leads to less wear and tear over time, potentially prolonging the life of your equipment.
Freeze protection: A key risk of damage for hot tub shells and components is that water freezes and expands. In colder climates, leaving the hot tub on (even at a lower temperature if you’re away) is essential for freeze protection. The internal heating and circulation prevent pipes and components from freezing and bursting, which can cause extremely costly damage.
Generally speaking, keeping your hot tub running is more cost-effective. The core of this argument lies in thermal dynamics and the energy required for temperature change versus maintenance:
The main scenario where turning a hot tub off might save money is if you’re going away for an extended period. In the event that you will be away for a number of weeks or months, it can be more economical to drain it completely or turn it down to a very low “sleep” mode if available, rather than maintaining full temperature for an empty period.
If you are using your hot tub daily or up to a few times a week, keeping it on is almost always the more sensible and cost-effective approach for a modern hot tub.
While it might seem like a huge energy drain, for modern hot tubs with sophisticated insulation, leaving your hot tub on all the time is the more cost-effective and practical approach. The energy saved by avoiding repeated reheating, combined with higher water quality and less strain on components, far outweigh the minimal energy required to maintain a constant temperature. This is without considering the inconvenience of having to wait for a hot tub to heat up to a comfortable temperature every time you want to use it.
Unless you are going away for an extended period of time, we always recommend keeping your hot tub ready for action!
For advice on hot tub care, or for everything you need to keep your hot tub in tip top shape, visit All Weather Leisure, online or in store.
