Blog>Cost Guides>How much are hot tub running costs in 2026?
Last updated: 22 February 2024
How much are hot tub running costs in 2026?
If you’re warming up to the idea of adding a hot tub to your home, we’ve broken down all the costs for you.
Fast Facts
The average hard-shell hot tub running costs in the UK are around £1 - £2 per day
An inflatable hot tub has running costs of around £5 per day
The more you use your hot tub the more expensive it will be to run
Who doesn't love the luxurious feeling of a relaxing soak in a hot tub? If you're considering installing a hot tub at home, this guide will talk you through the average hot tub running costs in 2026.
With rising energy costs, it's important to understand what ongoing costs you might face. So, how much does a hot tub cost to run? Keep reading to find out.
How much does a hot tub cost to run in the UK?
Note: The prices in this guide do not factor in fluctuations in energy prices and as such it is not possible to accurately estimate running costs. Always check your current energy prices when budgeting for a hot tub.
| Cost provided item | Unit | Cost+VAT (Lower range) | Cost+VAT (Higher range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchasing a hot tub | Per hot tub | £2,800 | £21,700 |
| Heating | Per year | £360 | £720 |
| Filters and water care products | Per year | £250 | £350 |
| Yearly service | Per year | £150 | £200 |
| Last updated: May 2024 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||
Aside from the cost of actually buying a hot tub, there are certain costs you’ll have to factor in for the running of it. Unsurprisingly, the main one is the heating costs.
The most energy-efficient hot tubs might cost under £1 a dayto heat. That said, it’s not unusual for owners to report spending £60a month heating their tub.
As an annual figure, that works out as roughly £720per year to run a hot tub in the UK.
Other running costs include filters, water care (such as cleaning chemicals) and the yearly service, which many hot tub companies recommend.
Total cost of running a hot tub
With all of the above running costs considered, you’re likely to see yourself spending between £760 and £1,270 a year on running your hot tub.
And remember, that's in addition to the initial cost of buying the hot tub itself.
Inflatable hot tub running costs in the UK in 2026
The initial cost of buying an inflatable hot tub is generally a lot lower than a hard-shell hot tub. However, the inflatable hot tub running costs in the UK can be much higher.
Even the most energy-efficient inflatable hot tubs on the market could cost over £5 per day to run.
These higher running costs are mainly due to the poorer quality heaters and pumps that are typically used in inflatable hot tubs. As well as poorer insulation.
Running costs of a 13-amp hot tub
Hot tubs in the UK usually come with one of two power supply options:
A 13-amp hot tub that can be plugged into a standard plug socket
A 32-amp hot tub that needs to be hard-wired to an electrical supply
The cost to install a standard socket for a hot tub is around £150 - £450, compared to£750 for the installation cost of a 32-amp hot tub.
You might expect the running costs to be drastically different but a 13-amp and 32-amp have similar estimated running costs.
The ongoing maintenance and repair costs of a 13-amp hot tub tend to be lower. That's because there are fewer electrical components to deal with.
But before rushing to buy a 13-amp hot tub...
It's worth knowing that with less power comes fewer pumps than a 32-amp hot tub. Therefore, a standard 13-amp hot tub doesn't have enough power to run its heater and jets at the same time.
How much to run a Lay-Z Spa in 2026?
Lay-Z Spa is one of the most popular brands of inflatable hot tubs on the market. As such, you'll be looking at a daily running cost of around £5+ per day.
The exact cost to run a Lay-Z Spa will depend on the model of hot tub you choose, its insulation, and how much you use it.
How much does a Lay-Z Spa cost to run per month in 2026?
As a monthly cost, you can expect a Lay-Z Spa to cost somewhere in the region of £150+ per month to run.
Maintenance running costs of a hot tub
Now and then you may find you have to repair or replace some of the components of your hot tub.
Below are some of the average maintenance costs to run a hot tub:
| Type of hot tub repair | Unit | Average UK cost |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement jets | Per jet | £65 |
| Replacement thermostat | Per unit | £38 |
| Labour of technician | Per hour | £75 |
| Clean and service | Annually | £225 |
| Consumables and water care | Annually | £275 |
| Last updated: May 2024 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||
To find out more, check out our guide to hot tub maintenance costs.
Hot tub running cost calculator for the UK
When budgeting for a hot tub, here's a simple equation of the various costs that you need to factor in:
Water heating + Cleaning + Consumables + Repairs = Total cost to run a hot tub
To get an accurate figure of how much it costs to run a hot tub in the UK, speak to local hot tub experts near you. They'll be able to advise you on typical hot tub running costs in your area.
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Factors affecting hot tub running costs in 2026
Various factors will affect how much it costs to run a hot tub in the UK, including:
Size and energy efficiency of your hot tub
How cold it is outside
The water temperature of your hot tub
How often you use your hot tub (and how long you use it for each time)
Your energy tariff
How well your hot tub is insulated (and if you have a well-made, custom-fitting hot tub cover)
As you might expect, the more you use your hot tub and the hotter the water is, the more it will cost.
Equally, if the weather is colder outside then you'll spend more on heating the hot tub water, as the water will naturally cool faster.
How to save on the cost of running a hot tub
Here are some of our top tips to help you reduce your hot tub running costs in 2026:
Keep it warm as it’s cheaper to keep your hot tub at a constant temperature
Turn off jet air controllers to stop any unnecessary cooling of your hot tub water
Read reviews to understand which makes and models of hot tubs cost less to run
5 top tips to reduce energy consumption of hot tubs
Here are our top five tips to lower energy consumption and reduce how much a hot tub costs to run...
1. Get the right hot tub cover
Having a well-fitting hot tub cover is one of the most effective ways to reduce heat loss and keep your hot tub hot. Make sure you buy a hot tub cover that fits well and is well-insulated.
An ideal hot tub cover should:
Not be waterlogged
Have a good quality heat lock hinge where the cover folds
Fit well to create a proper seal around your hot tub
If your cover is damaged, you should consider replacing it sooner rather than later.
2. Keep the filters clean
The filters are extremely important for the performance of a hot tub – both for hygiene and energy efficiency.
A hot tub is heated by water entering through the filters, passing through the heater and back out through the jets. Therefore, the better the flow, the more efficiently you'll heat your hot tub.
A clean filter will allow maximum flow of water in your hot tub. A dirty filter will reduce the flow and put a strain on the pump, so keep them clean!
We recommend cleaning your hot tub filter every 2-4 weeks depending on usage.
3. Use a floating thermal blanket
A floating thermal blanket is an extra layer of insulation that sits on top of your hot tub water but underneath the hot tub cover.
This additional layer can help reduce heat loss that's caused by evaporation. A floating thermal blanket also has the added bonus of protecting your hot tub cover from damage caused by chemicals in the water.
4. Put your hot tub in a less exposed location
The closer your hot tub can be to your house, the better. Not only does it increase the chances of the hot tub being used more regularly, but being near the building means it's usually more sheltered from wind and weather.
Being less exposed means it will cost less to run because it helps reduce heat loss from the sides or top of the hot tub.
5. Consider replacing your old hot tub
If you have a very old electric hot tub, or you've been using an inflatable hot tub, it might be time to replace it with a more energy-efficient modern hot tub that will be a lot cheaper to run.
Older models and inflatable hot tubs generally have poor insulation and take a lot more energy (and money) to heat the water and keep it hot.
Get expert advice on hot tub running costs
So, how much does it cost to run a hot tub in the UK? The best way to find out is to speak to hot tub experts near you.
Experienced local hot tub specialists can give you their professional guidance on how much it costs to run a hot tub in 2026.
Want a quote to install a new hot tub? Use our handy request a quote feature and we'll get local tradespeople to contact you directly.
Quick summary of hot tub running costs
Annual hot tub running costs are usually in the region of £760 and £1,270
Keep your hot tub at a constant temperature to save money
A well-insulated cover will help to minimise your running costs
Remember to budget for filters, water care and services
Take heating costs into account when choosing a hot tub make and design
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FAQs
Are hot tubs expensive to run?
As a rough guide, a hot tub will cost you anywhere between £1 and £5+ per day.
The cheaper hot tubs to buy usually come with higher running costs, as they're less energy-efficient. And the more you use your hot tub, the more expensive it will be to run.
How much does it cost to run a hot tub per month in the UK?
The average cost to run a hard-shell hot tub in the UK can range from £30 to £60 per month.
If you opt for an inflatable hot tub, you'll be looking at a cost of roughly £150 per month.
Is it cheaper to leave a hot tub on all the time?
If you're going to use your hot tub regularly, it's usually more efficient to leave it on all the time.
That's because it uses less energy to maintain a constant temperature than to heat cold water every time you use the hot tub.
However, if you only plan on using your hot tub occasionally then it could be worth only heating when you want to use it.
How do you calculate running costs for a hot tub?
To calculate accurate running costs for a hot tub, you need to factor in energy usage, cleaning and maintenance, and any repair work.
You'll need to check with your energy provider to see how much you'll pay per kWh. And each hot tub will have its own consumption and energy efficiency.
For more information, we recommend speaking to local hot tub specialists in your area. You can ask them for details on specific hot tub models and estimated running costs.
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