You’re inspired by your own experiences, other people’s stories, and seeing hot tubs on TV and online. Doesn’t it look brilliant? Next you’ll want to know a few key things before making the big decision. We say ‘big decision’ because some hot tubs are very expensive indeed. Luckily at the other end of the scale there are affordable blow-up hot tubs. But they all need proper looking after.
Where does your budget fit? What do you need to take into account to make the right decision? And are you prepared for the essential cleaning and maintenance needed to keep it useable and safe? Here goes.
How much does a hot tub cost?
You might have already enjoyed a good rummage around the internet. HOW many hot tubs are there?! It’s quite a choice. It can be an overwhelming one, which isn’t much fun, so let’s see if we can narrow things down for you, taking some of the uncertainty out of it.
So hot tubs come in all shapes and sizes, each with its own price tag. There’s everything from super-luxurious, all-singing, all-dancing, absolutely massive hot tubs costing as much as £25,000 and inflatable options that come in at a much lower £300. Three hundred pounds isn’t to be sneezed at, and there are some excellent blow-up hot tubs around. Others are just cheap, nasty, and have the potential to let you down – literally – far too easily.
You’ll need to cost out the tub itself, any materials or labour costs for building a surface to stand it on, the setting, the installation itself, any accessories, the surroundings, and of course the ongoing hot tub running and maintenance costs.
Tips to make the best hot tub choice
Which hot tub? This is the fun bit! Focus on the best model for you and your family bearing in mind the size of your garden, how many people will be using it and how often, how many gadgets you want included, what it’s made of, how easy it is to use, and what it looks like.
Remember the best real-life hot tub showrooms let you wet-test the tubs to find the right model. It’s useful to know about the required power supply, either 13 amp or 32 amp. And consider this: do you want a tub with seats all round or one you can lounge about in?
Clearly it makes sense to buy the best quality hot tub you can afford. On the other hand it might be a good idea, as a novice, to test drive a low cost inflatable tub rather than go for broke and shell out a lot of money on an expensive one you might not use much at the end of the day.
The best, strongest hut tub frames are made from galvanised or stainless steel and the tub itself should include a strong waterproof membrane. The better the insulation the lower the running costs, with fully-foamed insulation by far the best. If it’s wood, check the timber is properly treated for a long life. Choose a tub with a fitted air-tight, fully-insulated cover for maximum energy efficiency.
The more jets you have, the more exciting and satisfying the massage is. A really good filtration and great built-in water treatment – including ozone generators and UV systems – lowers the amount of maintenance. And if the control panel looks baffling, give yourself a break and find a tub with a simpler one. Not everyone wants a tub with a zillion functions. Insist on LED light for a lovely ambience after dark and add music with built-in Bluetooth speakers.
How much does it cost to install a hot tub?
Hot tub installs are relatively simple, but only when you know what you’re doing. The instructions are your bible, and it’s vital to do everything exactly the way they tell you to. When there’s water and electricity involved there’s no room for making it up as you go along, errors or short cuts, even if it just involves a plug and some cabling.
Once you’ve chosen the ideal location, you can start installing the tub. You want a good, solid foundation because water is really heavy. If the ground is wonky the weight of the water and the people in it can easily warp, crack or damage the tub.
A nearby electricity source is essential, as is water and drainage. You want to fill it quickly and easily. When you empty the tub the water needs to flow directly into a drain, not all over your garden. The access panel needs to be easy to reach and you’ll probably want to consider privacy from the neighbours. Think lighting too, especially if you’re wanting to use the hot tub after dusk.
All this comes with costs attached, especially if you have to add a spur to the electricity system to plug things in outdoors, or plumb in an exterior tap.
What does it cost to run a hot tub?
To a certain extent it depends on the cost of electricity, which runs the pumps, controls and temperature. The water will warm up faster and stay warm longer in summer, making cold-weather hot tubbing a more expensive business.
The insulation makes a huge difference: the better the insulation the less energy you need to heat the water and keep it hot. And a good quality hot tub cover helps keep the heat in.
The hot tub instruction manual should give you an idea of how much energy it will use, which lets you pin down a rough cost per session, per week, per month or annually, remembering to take the winter cold into account if you’re going to carry on tubbing.
Even if you’re not using it a lot, the tub will need looking after between sessions so it’s clean, safe and a pleasure to use, and that comes with a cost attached.
Hot tub water treatment and maintenance
Maintaining the hot tub and the water in it is crucial. Then your tub will be safe and clean, free from bacteria. Think about sanitising, adjusting the pH, and adding regular shock treatments.
A sanitiser chemical controls and prevents bacterial growth. Chlorine is popular because it’s cost-effective and works fast, available as granules or tablets. Bromine is more expensive and takes longer to work. The alternative is a salt system using salt water to make chlorine and active oxygen, which kills the bacteria. It’s easy, convenient, and leaves the water feeling lovely.
Water balancing is another must. You have to keep the pH level of the hot tub water at the optimum level to prevent scale building up, stop the water going cloudy and avoid irritating your eyes and skin. A poor balance also affects sanitser performance.
Aim for a pH level between 7.2 and 7.8 and check it frequently with a testing kit or PH strips. Weekly shock treatments breaks down pollutants like sweat and dead skin, kills bacteria, and removes organic materials.
Regular maintenance should keep it in great nick, but you’ll eventually need an expert to service and repair your tub. A professional hot tub repair company is your go-to solution. A sensible maintenance schedule means less scum, leaves, rubbish, and fewer dead insects. Luckily all you need to clean the tub itself is a sponge and white vinegar, also ideal for the jets. A solution of mild bleach and water does nicely for the cover, which needs to dry properly before you put it back on to stop mould and mildew developing.
And there you go – your hot tub buying and maintaining responsibilities… covered. Take a look at our collection, see which of them fulfils your dreams.
