Hot tubs are one of the true luxuries in life. Not only do hot tubs improve your overall health and wellbeing, but they also help you de-stress and forget the worries of the day. But hot tubs aren’t always cheap, and when operating them, the bills can quickly add up.
Fortunately, there are many ways to cut costs and make operating your hot tub much more affordable, and that’s exactly what we’ll be looking at in this article.
So, let’s jump in and look at some of the best ways to lower your hot tub costs.
1. Invest In a “Smart” Hot Tub
These days there are a number of advanced, state-of-the-art hot tubs on the market that feature smart features which can help cut costs by optimizing energy efficiency, regulating the temperature, and running in eco-mode.
Some of the best hot tubs even integrate with apps allowing you to control various settings, such as heat, power, jet speed and much more directly from your smartphone or another compatible device.
Also, if you forget to turn your spa off before leaving home, then you can rest assured knowing that your power bill won’t be running up because you can shut the spa off from wherever you are from right within most new hot tub apps.
2. Lower The Thermostat
By lowering the temperature of your hot tub, you can save a significant amount of money each month on your power bill. The biggest cost when it comes to operating a hot tub is heating it, so by keeping the tub at a lower temperature, you will draw less power and save more money.
Once your hot tub is fully heated, consider lowering the thermostat; the heat will remain in the insulated hot tub, but you’ll save on power as new water cycles in.
3. Run Your Spa On Energy-Saving Mode
There are numerous features built into hot tubs that allow them to operate more efficiently, but none are as effective as “energy-saving mode” or “eco-mode.” Different brands give this feature different names, but they all do more or less the same thing.
They allow your hot tub to operate in a much more energy-efficient fashion, which is the number one way to reduce power consumption when filling, heating, or operating your hot tub.
Also, it should go without saying, but when you aren’t using your hot tub, then be sure to turn it off. Many people choose to leave their spa on standby when not in use because they think that this will conserve the heat.
Unfortunately, all this does is ensure that your hot tub is drawing power all day long, which is a great way to drive up your energy bill and spend much more money on your hot tub then you would otherwise need to.
4. Use An Insulated Hot Tub Cover
Heating your hot tub can be expensive and so one of the best ways to save money is by ensuring that the heat is not escaping from your spa.
By installing an insulated hot tub cover, you will be able to keep most of the heat in your spa, meaning that you won’t have to reheat the water as frequently, which can add up to significant savings over time even when you factor in the cost of the insulated cover.
Also, be sure to check your existing hot tub cover for cracks or damages as these sorts of defects can allow the heat to escape; if you notice any such damages to your cover, consider repairing them or replacing the cover altogether.
5. Use Your Hot Tub As a “Cool Tub” In The Winter
In the winter months, you can still use your hot tub, but the cost of doing so is even more expensive due to the amount of power required to heat water that is near the freezing point. If your hot tub is inside, then you can enjoy it year-round.
However, if your spa is outdoors, consider using it as a cool tub instead.
The cool water may help your lymphatic system, and it will certainly wake you up. This is a great way to get the most out of your hot tub and can lower the cost per use because you are using it all year instead of only during the warm summer months.
6. Schedule Regular Maintenance To Avoid Costly Repairs
Nowadays, hot tubs are equipped with a ton of tech and safety features, and many even include onboard computers; this is great when everything is working well, but if your hot tub breaks down and requires repairs, then you will likely need a specialist to come out and repair it which will not be cheap at all.
You can prevent costly repair bills by scheduling regular maintenance to keep your hot tub running smoothly. The cost of hot tub maintenance is far less than the cost of repairs or a new hot tub, so make the decision to be proactive in maintaining your spa, and you’ll definitely save some money in the long run.
7. Use Your Spa During Off-Peak Hours
In most cases, energy rates fluctuate throughout the day. When more people are drawing power, the costs associated with heating and running your hot tub will be considerably higher than doing so during off-peak hours.
So, if you plan on filling and heating your hot tub, or just going for a nice soak in your spa, then consider doing so at night, when power costs are much lower than during peak times.
Certain days of the week may also be cheaper than others, so be sure to speak with your utility provider to find out when it will be least expensive to run your spa and then try to do so at that time.
8. Block The Prevailing Wind
Cool wind can quickly lower the temperature of your hot tub, which means needing to reheat it; as such, if you want to lower your costs, then consider investing in a portable divider or a tarp that can be easily maneuvered and positioned to block the prevailing wind.
This will decrease the rate at which the water cools and can substantially lower the hot tub costs because you won’t need to heat the water as frequently.
9. Use Energy-Efficient Lighting
Most new hot tub models will include some sort of lighting. In most cases, hot tubs now feature energy-efficient LED lighting that draws very little power, but there are still some models on the market that use standard incandescent light bulbs.
So be sure to check the energy efficiency of your hot tub lighting and if you discover that the light bulbs are not energy-efficient, then consider switching the bulbs out for LEDs that will draw less power and save you money.
10. Clean Your Filter Often
Hot tubs can get dirty pretty quickly, so if you want to keep costs low, it’s important to keep your spa’s filter clean.
The reason for this is that when the filter gets clogged up, the motor needs to try harder in order to clean the spa, and as such, it draws much more power than it would otherwise need to when filtering dirt and debris from your hot tub.
Cleaning your hot tubs filter is relatively easy and straightforward, but when in doubt, trust a professional to do the job for you. Once you see how it’s done once, then you should be able to do it for yourself moving forward, which is sure to make operating your hot tub much more affordable.
It’s Easy To Keep Your Hot Tub Costs Low
Hot tubs are a luxury, and like most luxury items, they often come with a high price tag. That being said, the investment you make for a good hot tub may be one of the best that you’ll ever make.
Hot tubs are great for your health, and they can dramatically improve your quality of life. The trick is to follow the simple tips listed above so that you can enjoy soaking in your spa whenever you want without having to worry about getting a surprise when the power bill arrives.
If you are interested in buying a new hot tub, then your first stop should definitely be Premium Home Leisure. Specializing in home products such as swim spas and hot tubs, Premium Home Leisure is your trusted local choice for all your backyard leisure needs.
So, if you live in or near the Saskatoon area, then be sure to get in touch with Premium Home Leisure today to learn more about the different models available or order your next new hot tub.
