How Much Does It Cost to Run a hot tub?
A typical hot tub uses about 1,500 watts, which costs about $0.27 per hour. Used 4 hours a day, that is $1.08 per day, $33 per month and about $394 per year at the US average of about 18 cents per kWh. Change the numbers below for your own model and rate.
Typical estimate: about 4 hours a day of combined heater and pump running time. These are typical estimates – check your own label or use a plug-in meter for exact figures.
Hot tub running cost by electricity rate
Rates vary widely across the country. $0.12 is typical of low-cost areas, $0.18 is about the national average, and $0.25–$0.35 or more is common in high-cost areas such as parts of California, New England and Hawaii.
| Rate per kWh | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.12 | $0.180 | $0.72 | $21.90 | $263 |
| $0.18 | $0.270 | $1.08 | $32.85 | $394 |
| $0.25 | $0.375 | $1.50 | $45.63 | $548 |
| $0.35 | $0.525 | $2.10 | $63.88 | $766 |
Based on 1,500 W for 4 h/day; month = 30.42 days.
Cost by hours of use per day
| Hours per day | kWh per month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 h | 91 | $0.54 | $16.43 | $197 |
| 4 h | 183 | $1.08 | $32.85 | $394 |
| 8 h | 365 | $2.16 | $65.71 | $788 |
At 18 cents per kWh and 1,500 W.
Low, typical and high wattage
The heater is typically 1,000–4,000 W and the circulation pump a few hundred more. A well-insulated tub in a mild climate uses less than a poorly covered one in winter.
| Case | Watts | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 1,000 | $0.180 | $21.90 | $263 |
| Typical | 1,500 | $0.270 | $32.85 | $394 |
| High | 4,000 | $0.720 | $87.61 | $1,051 |
At 4 h/day and 18 cents per kWh.
How it is calculated
1,500 W × 4 h ÷ 1,000 = 6 kWh per day
6 kWh × $0.18 = $1.08 per day
$1.08 × 30.42 days = $32.85 per month
How to cut the cost of running a hot tub
- Use a tight, undamaged insulated cover – a worn or waterlogged cover loses much more heat and makes the heater run longer.
- Lower the set point when you will not be using the tub for several days, and raise it again a day before.
- Add a floating thermal blanket under the cover, and keep the cabinet and pump vents clear.
- Put the tub on a windbreak or fence panel; wind chills the cover surface in winter.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a hot tub per month?
At 18 cents per kWh, a typical 1,500 W hot tub used 4 hours a day costs about $32.85 per month (183 kWh). That is about $394 a year.
How much does it cost to run a hot tub per hour?
About $0.270 per hour at 18 cents per kWh, or $0.525 per hour if you pay 35 cents per kWh. Multiply by your hours of use to estimate any day.
Why does the cost of a hot tub vary so much?
Wattage varies by model and setting – from 1,000 W to 4,000 W here. At the same 4 hours a day and 18 cents per kWh, that is $22 to $88 per month. Your electricity rate matters just as much: at 35 cents per kWh the typical unit costs $64 per month.