♨️How much does it cost to run a hot tub?
A hot tub keeps the water hot around the clock, its heater cycling on and off, using roughly 5.0–10.0 kWh a day. At the US-average 17¢/kWh that’s about $26–$51 a month — $310–$621 a year.
These are estimates, not a meter reading. The wattage and energy figures are typical US ranges and the 17¢/kWh is the national-average rate — the math is exact once you plug in your own wattage and rate. Your real cost depends on the specific unit, your settings and your utility.
Energy and cost, broken down
| Timeframe | Energy (kWh) | Cost @ 17¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Per day | 5.0–10.0 | $0.85–$1.70 |
| Per month | 150–300 | $26–$51 |
| Per year | 1825–3650 | $310–$621 |
At the US-average 17¢/kWh. On a cheap rate (~11¢) these drop about a third; in California, New England or Hawaii (~33¢+) they roughly double. Ranges reflect the typical span of an efficient, well-kept unit to an older or harder-working one.
Why it costs what it does
A hot tub's cost is almost all standby heat: the heater (typically 1,500 to 6,000 watts) doesn't run constantly but cycles on and off to hold the water at temperature 24/7, so the real number is energy per day, not the heater's plate wattage. A well-insulated modern tub with a tight-fitting cover in a mild climate uses around 5 kWh a day; an older or poorly-covered tub, or one run through a cold winter, can double that. The cover, the insulation and your climate matter far more than the brand.
How to run it for less
- Keep a well-fitting, undamaged cover on it whenever it's not in use — a waterlogged or ill-fitting cover is the single biggest energy leak on a hot tub.
- Lower the set temperature a few degrees, or drop it further when you'll be away for days — every degree of heat held 24/7 costs money.
- Run the heater off-peak if your utility charges time-of-use rates, and use the tub's economy/sleep mode to heat mainly before you use it.
- Add a floating thermal blanket under the cover and keep the tub out of the wind; both cut the standby heat loss that drives the bill.
Keep going
Frequently asked
How much does a hot tub cost to run per month?▾
Usually about $25 to $50 a month for a well-maintained tub, and more — $60 to $100+ — for an older or poorly-insulated one, or through a cold winter. Most of that is standby heat holding the water warm around the clock, not the times you actually use it. A good cover and a few degrees off the set temperature are what move the number.
Does a hot tub use more electricity in winter?▾
Yes, noticeably. The heater works against the outside temperature to hold the water hot, so a tub can cost roughly twice as much to run in a cold winter as in mild weather. A tight cover, a thermal blanket and shelter from the wind matter most in winter, when the standby heat loss is highest.
How do I work out what a hot tub costs to run for my electricity rate?▾
Take the wattage ÷ 1,000 to get kilowatts, multiply by the hours you run it, then by your electricity rate. Find your rate on your bill (total ÷ kWh used) — the US average is about 17¢/kWh, but it ranges from ~11¢ in the cheapest states to 30–42¢ in California, New England and Hawaii. So the same hot tub costs roughly 35% less on a cheap rate and nearly double on an expensive one than the figures here.
What is the average price of electricity in the US?▾
About 17¢ per kWh for residential customers as a national average (2026). The cheapest states — parts of the Midwest and Pacific Northwest — sit near 11¢, while California, most of New England and Hawaii run 30¢ to over 40¢. Your exact rate is on your utility bill; divide the dollar total by the kWh used, or read the per-kWh charge directly.