The Real Cost to Operate and Maintain a Hot Tub
When people ask me, “What does it cost to run a hot tub?” — the answer isn’t just about electricity or chemicals. It’s about how you use it and how you take care of it.
Let’s break it down:
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1️⃣ Filter Settings
Your hot tub filter runs on a cycle — you can usually set it for 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours, and it runs twice a day in a 24-hour period.
So, if your spa is set on an 8-hour cycle, that’s 16 hours a day of filtering — and your electric bill will feel it.
If you use your hot tub every day, especially like a bathtub (meaning you skip the shower before getting in), your water’s going to get dirty faster and your filters will have to work overtime.
💡 Pro Tip: Take a quick shower before you soak. You’ll keep the water cleaner and can turn your filter cycle down to 2 hours twice a day — just 4 hours total.
That alone is the #1 reason most homeowners see a huge drop in their electric bill.
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2️⃣ Water Changes
You need to drain and refill your water every 90 to 100 days — no exceptions.
Here’s the schedule I recommend:
• Before April 1st – get fresh water for spring.
• Fourth of July – your hot tub shouldn’t blow up like a firecracker.
• October 1st – prep for the “silly season.”
• Between Christmas and New Year’s – fresh water and a new filter.
Stick to that cycle, and chances are… you’ll never need to call a spa tech like me.
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3️⃣ Filter & Chemical Care
Check your chemicals weekly and clean your filter weekly — especially during heavy use.
If you skip this, you’ll eventually get flow issues — not enough water moving through the filter and pumps — and you’ll see “DRY” or “FLO” error codes on your control panel.
A dirty filter restricts water, causes the pumps to overwork, and can lead to expensive repairs.
So, clean that filter once a week and stay ahead of it.
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4️⃣ Chemicals — Finding Your Balance
When it comes to chemicals, that’s kind of like me telling you what kind of underwear to wear — everyone’s got their own preference. You’ve got to figure out what works best for you and your spa.
Personally, I keep it simple. I treat hot tub chemicals like salt in soup — you can always add a little more, but if you dump too much in, you’re going to know it. When you open the cover and the chemical smell hits you in the face, that’s bad.
If you over-chlorinate, people with sensitive skin won’t want to get in your hot tub.
And no matter what, when you get out, take a quick shower — rinse off the chemicals that are now on your skin. After all, what’s in the hot tub is now on you.
