As the first warm weekend of the year approaches, many high street retailers are offering bargains on hot tubs. But the head of data at energy saving app Loop is warning users to be aware of the costs of running a hot tub.
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 is 60% higher than summer 2020 when many people bought their hot tubs to enjoy during lockdown.
Steve Buckley, head of data science at Loop, 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. "
Easy ways to keep hot tub energy costs down
- 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
