As the UK enjoys its first glimpse of summer, many retailers are offering deals on hot tubs.
But energy experts at Loop are warning users to be aware of how much it could soon cost to operate the machines. Some of the least energy efficiency models, which are often the cheapest could add £300 per month to electricity bills.
The cost of running a hot tub will be 60% higher from next week than it was in 2020 - when many people purchased hot tubs while stuck at home during lockdown. Steve Buckley, head of data science at Loop, said the running costs are often a lot more than people expect.
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He said: “Many of us will be enjoying the warm weather this weekend, and for those lucky enough to own one, relaxing in a hot tub is welcome treat on a sunny day. But with the high cost of living at the moment, people should be aware that the cost of running one of these could be a lot more than they were expecting.
“Our new research found that hot tubs are one of the worst garden culprits for adding to energy bills. Even the most energy-efficient tubs will cost £60 per month to run after the energy price cap increases on April 1 – that's 60% higher than in Summer 2020 when many of these were bought over lockdown.
“But the biggest risks are for those households who buy cheap hot tubs. Due to poor insulation these could easily cost five times that amount to run. The problem is that households won’t have any idea until their bill arrives. This summer many people will be opting for a staycation and want to make their homes and gardens as enjoyable as possible over the summer, but it’s important to consider how much some of this outdoor equipment could be adding to energy bills. "
Below are some easy ways to keep hot tub energy costs down, according to Wales Online
- Reduce your thermostat by a couple of degrees to help save money but still maintain comfortable water temperature
- Cover the hot tub with a thermal cover when not in use to keep the heat in
- Think about where you position your hot tub – keeping it away from wind and breezes that will cool the water will help maintain the water temperature
- For long-term hot-tub converts, installing solar panels might be worth considering as a permanent way to cut your energy bills. The payback period on solar will be 30% faster following April’s price cap increase and solar installations now benefit from zero VAT.
- Don’t get taken by surprise - keep a track of costs using a smart meter app
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