If you are thinking about installing a hot tub in your home, then there’s a good chance that you are focused on the sticker price. Even though it is important to think about how much money you are going to spend in your hot tub, it is also important for you to think about recurring monthly expenses. Just as you are going to have recurring monthly expenses if you install a pool, you are also going to have expenses you need to absorb if you install the unit.
For example, you need to think about how much electricity you are going to spend on the tub itself. You also need to think about the water expenses that are going to arise because you need to keep the tub filled. What happens if there is a repair that you need to cover? What about the chemicals you need to keep it clean? Make sure that you think about all of these expenses before you decide if a hot tub is right for you. Quality tubs have warranties that cover parts and labor lasting up to 5 years.
Monthly Energy Costs to Run a Hot Tub
One of the biggest monthly expenses that you are going to have if you decide to go in a tub involves heating. Your electricity cost is going to depend on a variety of factors. For example, this is going to depend on how often you use it, the temperature you like, and the price of electricity, which is usually measured in kilowatt-hours.
In general, the average person should expect to spend less than $1 per day to run his or her hot tub. Newer models hover somewhere around $20 per month, assuming they are used an average amount.
On the other hand, the exact model of hot tub that you use is also going to play a role in your monthly energy expenses. Newer models are more expensive; however, they also cost less money to operate. If you try to save money and reach for a cheaper model, you might end up with a unit that is not nearly as efficient. Therefore, it might require more money and utility expenses to get that hot talk to the same temperature.
How Much Chemicals for the Hot Tub Will Cost Every Month?
In addition, you also need to think about how much money you are going to spend on chemicals for your hot tub. Filling up your hot tub of water is not something that you can simply complete and forget. You need to make sure that you drain your hot tub and clean it every three to four months. If your hot tub is used more often, then you may need to drain, clean, and refill your hot tub more often, driving up the cost. In order to estimate the average monthly water cost, you should take a look at the capacity of the hot tub, multiply that by the number of times you plan to drain and refill it, and then multiply this by your total water cost per gallon.
In addition, you should also think about how much money you are going to spend on cleaning chemicals. Bromine and chlorine are needed to sanitize the water and keep it balanced. Even though this also depends on how often you use the hot tub, you should expect these expenses to come in somewhere between $10 and $20 per month. Factor all of this into the cost of the hot tub as well.
How Often Should I Replace the Hot Tub Cartridge Filters?
Spa filters should be replaced annually. Spa filters often look white and clean, but may be clogged with calcium hardness causing low flow. Eventually, if not replaced, they will cause your heater to fail. Spa filters should be removed, and spray cleaned with a garden hose nozzle monthly. Be sure to get between the cartridge folds. Don’t put your cartridge in the dishwasher or take to the high-pressure car wash, as it will wreck the filter. It’s best to shut the spa breaker off before removing the filter to avoid debris from going back to the pump. Aftermarket filters come in various quality. Cheap brands may not withstand the volume of your spa and will collapse. Unicel is a very good brand. Many cartridges are also available with Microban which helps prevent mildew.
