How Much Does It Cost to Run a Hot Tub Per Month in the UK - And How You Can Save!

The cost of running a hot tub is one of the most common questions prospective and current owners ask, especially with current energy prices. In this post, we’ll break down what typical monthly running costs look like for a UK hot tub, what drives those costs, and how you can dramatically reduce your electricity bills with a VIAN Nexus Heat Pump.

What Affects Hot Tub Running Costs in the UK

Several factors influence how much it costs to run a hot tub each month:

• Electricity price: The unit cost per kWh is a major part of your bill.
• Insulation: Well-insulated tubs (shell, pipes, cover) retain heat better, reducing running costs.
• Outside temperature: Colder weather means more heat loss.
• Usage: How often you use it, and how hard you run jets or filtration, affects energy use.
• Water temperature: Higher set-points mean more energy to maintain.
• Heater and pump efficiency: Older or inefficient components draw more power.

It is estimated that it takes 6–10 kWh per day once a well-insulated tub is at temperature — that’s 180–300 kWh/month, which at typical UK electricity rates means a monthly cost anywhere from £54 to £90+¹.

For older or poorly insulated tubs, it is likely that costs will range from £80 to £120+ per month, especially in winter or with heavier use.

Enter Vian Heat Pumps: A Smarter Way to Heat Your Spa

Spafix offer Vian Nexus heat pumps, which are specifically designed for hot tubs and swim spas in UK climates.

How Heat Pumps Work & Why They’re More Efficient

• Instead of generating heat directly, a heat pump extracts heat from the air and uses it to warm your spa; making them much more efficient than traditional electric heating.
• Vian Nexus heat pumps have very high Coefficients of Performance (COP), meaning they produce many units of heat for each unit of electricity.
• Even in very cold weather, certain models (like the Nexus EVO 6) can operate efficiently down to -20°C.

How Much Can Vian Heat Pumps Save You?

Based on real-world testing and customer data:

• Vian heat pumps have been reported to reduce heating bills by up to 70% compared to traditional electric heating.
• In Vian’s own testing, a 10-month trial showed only ~750 kWh used for heating a hot tub; at a rate of ~26p/kWh (Ofgem cap at time of testing), that works out to ~£20.50/month in heating costs.
• This makes the payback period very attractive, particularly for frequent or year-round spa users.

Other Ways to Reduce Running Costs (Even Without a Heat Pump)

If adding a heat pump isn’t currently an option, or to maximise savings in addition to one, consider:

• Keeping the hot tub cover closed and in good condition to minimise heat loss.
• Lowering your operating temperature when you’re not using the tub regularly.
• Maintaining your water chemistry and cleaning your filters, which ensures efficient heating.
• Servicing your hot tub regularly so pumps and heaters run optimally.

Is a Hot Tub Heat Pump Right for You?

A Vian heat pump makes the most sense if:

• You run your hot tub year-round, or for long periods.
• Your current heating costs feel “too high.”
• You’re concerned about energy efficiency or environmental impact.
• You’re planning to upgrade or retrofit your spa.
• If you only use your tub occasionally (say, weekends), the savings might be less dramatic, but you’ll likely still see a significant efficiency boost.

Running a hot tub doesn’t have to mean skyrocketing electricity bills. While a traditional electric heater can cost £50–£100+ a month, investing in a Vian Nexus heat pump from Spafix could bring that down to around £20–£40/month, depending on usage.

Ready to explore heat pumps? Contact the Spafix team today to arrange a free site survey. We’ll assess compatibility, walk you through the options, and provide a quote tailored to your needs.

¹ https://www.c-lecelectrical.co.uk/how-much-electric-do-hot-tubs-use?