Sunshine has returned to the UK and many may be thinking about treating themselves to a hot tub.
However, your new relaxing hot tub might make you blush a little when the electricity bill comes.
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Luckily, we have tips for you on how to save costs so that you don’t have to forego the luxury of having your own garden.
Many retailers auction off their own inventory, so you may be tempted to make a purchase yourself.
However, energy saving experts point out that some of the least energy efficient models – and these are often the cheapest – can add a whopping £400 to your electricity bill.
This is because they usually lack high-quality insulation.
Nicholas Auckland of Trade Radiators said: “Think of it the same way as heating your home.
“Without insulation, the heat generated inside your home quickly escapes through walls, doors, windows, ceilings and floors, meaning you have to constantly heat your home at a higher level to maintain the desired temperature.
“It’s the same with whirlpools.
“If you want your hot tub to reach 40°C, but the hot tub is not properly insulated, it will have to work harder and use more energy to maintain that high temperature.”
If you use an energy efficient hot tub every weekend for three summer months, Nicholas says you would spend around £62.28.
However, if you were to use a less energy efficient model, you would spend a whopping £463.80.
This means you could end up spending £395.52 more on a cheaper hot tub with poor insulation.
Of course, the exact cost of running a hot tub will depend on how often you use it, what model you have, and how much you pay for energy.
How can I continue to enjoy my hot tub and keep costs down?
The best way to keep costs down is to insulate your new hot tub.
Cheaper hot tubs available in retail stores do not have such good insulation due to their low price and therefore give off heat very quickly.
This means the appliance has to work harder to heat up, which in turn means you have to pay significantly more for your bills – and much of the money you spend is wasted.
Nicholas explained that due to poor insulation, these systems could easily cost five times as much to operate as a sufficiently insulated structure.
That’s why he said you should cover the hot tub with a thermal cover when not in use to keep the heat inside.
Shop around as there are models of different sizes and effectiveness. You need to find the right model for your hot tub or it won’t fit and you may end up wasting your money.
If you can’t afford expensive insulation technology, you can try turning the thermostat down a few degrees.
Just like the heater in your home, you won’t notice a huge difference in temperature, but it can save you money and still allow you to enjoy your hot tub.
Another way to reduce costs for free is to think about the location of the hot tub. Keep it away from wind and breezes that cool the water so it doesn’t have to work harder to heat itself back up.
You can also install a smart meter to keep track of all your energy bills.
This will help you keep track of your spending at different times of the day and consider what you should cut out.
More tips for saving money on a hot tub
WE asked Nicholas Auckland from Trade Radiators for his top ten tips for saving money and energy.
- Always use a high-quality, insulated cover when the hot tub is not in use. This will help retain heat and reduce the energy required to reheat the water.
- Consider adding a floating thermal blanket under the main cover for additional insulation.
- Set the hot tub to a lower temperature when not in use. Reducing the temperature by just a few degrees can save significant energy.
- Clean and replace filters regularly to ensure the hot tub runs efficiently and does not overload, maintaining water purity.
- Control your heating more efficiently with a smart thermostat and heat water only when needed.
- Nozzles and blowers can significantly increase energy consumption. Use them sparingly and turn them off when you don’t need them.
- Limit the time you spend in the hot tub to reduce overall energy consumption.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for draining and refilling the hot tub to keep the water clean and reduce the load on the heating system.
- Place your hot tub in a sheltered location to protect it from wind and weather, which can cause heat loss.
- Position the hot tub to take advantage of natural sunlight, which can help warm the water.”
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