How Much Does It Cost To Run A Hot Tub In The UK?

Sitting in a hot tub with a beer sounds great — right up until your next electricity bill lands.

If you’re thinking of buying a hot tub or a Lazy Spa, or you already own one and feel like your energy costs have jumped, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions I see every year.

In the UK, a hot tub typically costs between £60 and £110 per month to run, depending on the type of tub, how often you use it and how efficient it is.

I own an inflatable hot tub, I track the costs with a smart meter, and this article breaks down what it actually costs in 2026 — plus how to keep those bills as low as possible.

Quick Answer: Hot Tub Running Costs At A Glance (2026)

I Never Wanted A Hot Tub…

Back in 2020, like thousands of other households, we bought a hot tub. I wasn’t keen.

I love hot tubs on holiday in Florida. Less so when I’m sat in my garden listening to next door argue while booting a football around.

The other big concern was cost. I didn’t want a novelty that quietly added hundreds of pounds a year to our bills.

So I tracked everything properly. Smart meter. Real usage. Real costs.

How Much Does A Hot Tub Cost To Buy?

Why Hot Tub Running Costs Vary So Much

Search Google and you’ll see wildly different answers. That’s because running costs depend on several factors.

What Affects Hot Tub Running Costs?

• Size of the tub – more water costs more to heat
• Insulation quality – this matters more than brand
• Outdoor temperature and wind
• How often you use it
• How long the jets run
• Your electricity tariff

Two similar tubs can have very different monthly costs.

How Much Electricity Does A Hot Tub Use?

Once up to temperature, most inflatable hot tubs use around 4–8 kWh per day to maintain heat.

The heater does not run constantly. It switches on and off to replace heat lost through the sides, base and cover.

Typical Daily Electricity Use

*Based on ~27–28p per kWh

The current electricity price cap set by Ofgem (Jan–March 2026) is around 27.7p per kWh, which is far lower than peak crisis pricing.

What My Hot Tub Actually Costs To Run

We own a LAY-Z-SPA inflatable hot tub with a capacity just under 1,000 litres. It has an app so I can control it from my phone — completely unnecessary, but mildly satisfying.

Using our smart meter, I tracked usage during late spring and summer. We’re based in the South-East.

Average electricity use: ~8 kWh per day
Electricity price: ~27–28p per kWh (standard variable tariff with Octopus Energy)

Real Cost Breakdown (Electricity Only)

Should You Leave A Hot Tub On All The Time?

This is where advice online gets oversimplified.

Leave it heated if:

• You use it most days
• It’s winter
• You’re on a flat-rate tariff

Consider turning it down (not fully off) if:

• You use it once or twice a week
• It’s summer
• You have a smart or time-of-use tariff

Inflatable tubs lose heat faster than hard-shell models. Fully reheating 1,000 litres of water from ~20°C to ~38°C uses a lot of energy.

A sensible compromise is to leave the tub on but reduce the temperature, then reheat closer to when you plan to use it. This keeps water clean and often costs less overall.

Other Hot Tub Costs You Need To Budget For

Electricity isn’t the only ongoing expense.

Filling The Tub

Using United Utilities as an example, filling a 1,000-litre tub costs around £3.

Most manufacturers recommend draining and refilling every 3–4 months, though many people stretch this longer.

Filters And Chemicals

You’ll need filters plus chlorine or bromine to keep the water safe.

Realistic annual costs:
• Chemicals: £150 – £200
• Filters: £8 – £12 per month

We spend roughly £200 per year, helped by only running the tub for eight months.

Mats And Base

Your tub should sit on foam mats rather than directly on the ground. Sometimes these are included. If not, sets from Amazon are inexpensive.

Electrical Work

A dedicated outdoor socket or hard-wired connection is strongly recommended.

Our electrician charged just under £100, including the wall unit. It took about an hour.

How To Reduce Hot Tub Running Costs

There’s no miracle trick, but these make the biggest difference.

Switch Energy Supplier

If you haven’t switched recently, you’re probably overpaying. This alone can knock hundreds off your annual electricity bill.

Consider an Economy 7 tariff

This is a tariff where electricty is cheaper at night. This can be good, if you’re able to shift enough of your usage past midnight. However, electricity is more expensive during the day.

Improve Insulation

Even good tubs lose heat. A thermal cover can significantly reduce heat loss. Decent covers aren’t cheap, but they usually pay for themselves.

Use Smart Tariffs (If Available)

If you’re on a time-of-use tariff, heating during off-peak hours can noticeably cut costs.

Solar Panels (If You Already Have Them)

Not cheap to install, but if you already have solar, daytime heating becomes far cheaper. Find out how much my solar panels have saved.

Total Cost Of Running A Hot Tub (Realistic 2026 Figures)

A hot tub is a luxury. Anyone telling you otherwise is selling something.

But with realistic expectations, decent insulation and a sensible energy tariff, the costs are often lower than people fear.

FAQs