Hot tubs are taking off as a consumer purchase in 2026, with estimates suggesting that anywhere from 5.8-7.3 million Americans own a hot tub [1]. Many consumers balk at the idea of owning a hot tub due to associated costs, which can include various monthly bills, but as hot tubs become more energy efficient and affordable, various monthly operating costs have hit record lows.

If you’re interested in purchasing a hot tub, but want to know exactly what you can expect to pay each month, this guide will help you make the best choice for your needs. 

The True Monthly Cost of Owning a Hot Tub

Owning a hot tub is something that goes far beyond the initial purchase and delivery price. Depending on the make, model, and size of your hot tub, you may pay anything from $150-$250 monthly across various bills and necessities. In general, the most expensive monthly elements of hot tub ownership are electricity costs and water treatment.

Depending on how often you use your tub, the climate where you live, and your tub’s insulation, your electricity bill may increase by as little as $20 or as much as $100 or more. Other aspects of hot tub ownership, such as service and repairs, may not be month-to-month expenses, but can still impact your overall annual costs.

Cost Breakdown

In terms of consistent monthly costs, the most common expenses you’ll need to deal with when owning a hot tub are electricity, water and chemicals, filter replacement, and service or repairs:

Electricity

Electricity is the biggest variable when it comes to monthly hot tub expenses. The amount of money you’ll pay to run your hot tub will vary based on your tub’s model, size, and energy efficiency rating, but will also be impacted by the climate you live in and the average water temperature you prefer [2]. In general, while some hot tubs with high energy efficiency or low size can incur smaller electric bills of around $10-$14/month, most manufacturers suggest a minimum of $1 per day for electricity costs, if not more, leading to averages of $30-$55+/month [3].

Water and Chemicals

In order to enjoy your hot tub, you need to consistently refill it and treat the water you use. This involves adding chemicals such as chlorine, bromine, pH adjusters, and sanitizer. Actual water expenses for hot tubs generally aren’t that large, only measuring up to about $8 for a 400-gallon refill [4]. Chemical treatments cost much more, often $20–$50/month [5]. If you live in an area that provides hard water, treatment will often be more expensive [6]. 

Filter Replacement

Hot tub water filters keep water clean and sanitary by filtering out contaminants and dirt. Depending on your hot tub model and size, filter cartridges may cost anywhere from $15–$100+ to replace [7]. How often you must replace your filter is the subject of a lot of debate. Some experts suggest you may only have to do it every few years, particularly for high-quality filters, but some manufacturers and experts advocate for filters to be changed yearly or even every three months [6][8].

Service and Repairs

You may not need to service your hot tub every month, but bills for maintenance and repairs can often be expensive. Depending on how routinely you test and maintain your tub, you may pay anywhere from $25-$50/month, with some maintenance plans reaching as high as $200/month for superior service [9][10]. Individual component repairs also add on costs, with prices ranging from $200 to over $1,500 for heater, pump, motor, or jet replacements [11].

Factors That Affect Monthly Costs

Size and Capacity

The size and capacity of your hot tub will affect the amount of electricity and chemicals you use. Large tubs often hold anywhere from 500-700 gallons, much more than a small plug-in tub, and more water means more electricity and chemicals are needed for heating and treatment, often amounting to a $100+ jump in monthly cost from small to large tubs.

Voltage

Hot tubs generally come in voltages of 110V-120V and 220V-240V. Contrary to expectations, while lower voltages do require less electricity, 220V-240V tubs are often more efficient per hour and better in colder climates, as they heat up faster and maintain heat longer.

Insulation Quality

High-quality insulation has a huge impact on monthly costs. Hot tubs with full-foam insulation can cut heat loss by 30–50% as opposed to partial or no-foam insulation. This means you won’t need as much power, as the hot tub itself will maintain temperature without needing to heat continuously.

Cover Quality

Hot tub covers are instrumental for keeping heat inside the tub, but most spa covers only last 2-3 years and need replacement. Some can also crack and become waterlogged, eliminating their usefulness. A high-quality, insulated, and protected cover such as the Tuff Top patented hard cover can cut cost immensely, and comes with a lifetime warranty.

Climate and Outdoor Temperature

The climate and temperature conditions surrounding your hot tub also affect your monthly expenses significantly. Colder weather forces your tub’s heater to run harder and longer, while warmer climates can lead to lower energy costs overall.

Frequency of Use

How often you actually use your hot tub is a hidden factor behind your monthly expenses. Using your tub frequently or with multiple bathers will mean more frequent refills, chemical treatments, and repairs, as well as longer sustained electricity use, though electrical impacts are not as high as other factors.

How To Lower Your Hot Tub Operating Costs

Lowering your monthly hot tub operating costs can save you a significant amount of money and make your experience owning a hot tub more enjoyable, relaxing, and stress-free. Here are some tips to help you cut back on the monthly cost of owning a hot tub:

• Use a high-quality, insulated cover: a high-quality cover like the Tuff Top hard cover can eliminate or reduce the 70% of water heat lost from the surface of your tub. 

• Keep your water temperature around 100°F: Lowering water temperatures by even one degree can reduce energy usage by 10–17%.

• Schedule heating cycles for off-peak hours: Heating your tub at night or on weekends can capitalize on lower electrical rates. 

• Block wind effects: Use fencing, shrubs, or an enclosing screen to block wind that can siphon away heat.

• Use economy or sleep mode, if possible: Economy modes maintain a lower standby temp for instances when you are not using your tub for an extended period of time.

• Test, drain, and refill water on schedule: Consistent water testing 2-3 times per week helps you maintain chemical balance, while draining and refilling on schedule helps reduce corrosion.

• Rinse and clean filters regularly: Rinsed filters that are deeply cleaned once a month avoid clogging, which forces pumps to work harder.

• Maintain ideal pH levels: A pH level between 7.4 and 7.6 helps prevent corrosion and component degradation.

LPI’s Efficiency Innovations

When it comes to producing energy-efficient hot tubs, LPI – which operates Aqua Living (soon to be rebranded Whisper Outdoor) and HotTub.com – offers several high-quality innovations that other brands don’t. The Tuff Top patented hard cover, which comes standard on Tuff Spas and select Catalina luxury models, features a lifetime warranty and replaces a recurring cost most owners face every 2-3 years. The Tuff Top’s hard outer shell and interior insulation prevent heat loss and are resilient against cracks and waterlogging.

LPI also helps customers save on monthly cost with their patented heat-flow manifolds. These manifolds use water friction to create heat, reducing electricity load and thereby lowering attendant costs.

Choose a Cost-Effective Hot Tub by Purchasing From LPI

To save on monthly expenses, investing in a high-quality hot tub by one of LPI’s many brands, such as Dr. Wellness, Catalina, Tuff Spas, Plug & Power, or Hudson Bay, is one of the best choices you can make. LPI has a long history of excellence in hot tub manufacturing, and energy efficiency is one of their primary goals. For more information visit https://hottub.com/ to receive a free coupon or to fill out a financing form.

Sources

1. Hot tub statistics 2026. (n.d.). Consumer Affairs. https://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/hot-tub-statistics.html

2. Guy, R. S. (2025b, November 12). How much electricity does a hot tub use per month? Cost breakdown. Heavenly Heat Saunas. https://heavenlyheatsaunas.com/blogs/wellness-insights/how-much-electricity-does-a-hot-tub-use-per-month-cost-breakdown

3. Direct Energy. (n.d.). Hot tub energy and electricity cost. https://www.directenergy.com/en/learn/home-energy-management/how-much-electricity-does-a-hot-tub-use

4. Kendrick, M. (2024, July 31). The true cost of changing hot tub water. Spasearch. https://spasearch.org/the-true-cost-of-changing-hot-tub-water/

5. Wright, D. A. (2025, November 19). How much does a hot tub really cost? A complete buyer’s breakdown. Shop AquaRest. https://shopaquarest.com/blogs/blog/how-much-is-a-hot-tub

6. How Much Does Hot Tub Maintenance Cost? [2026 Data]. (2026, March 5). Angi. https://www.angi.com/articles/hot-tub-maintenance-cost.htm

7. HomeAdvisor. “Hot Tub Maintenance Cost.” HomeAdvisor, https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/swimming-pools-hot-tubs-and-saunas/hot-tub-maintenance-cost/ 

8. Hot Tub Filters: How often to clean and when to change? (n.d.). The Cover Guy. https://thecoverguy.com/blogs/backyard-blast-blog/hot-tub-filters-how-often-to-clean-and-when-to-change

9. Farmer, T. (2024, November 5). How much does hot tub maintenance cost? Homeguide. https://homeguide.com/costs/hot-tub-maintenance-cost

10. 2026 Hot tub maintenance cost | Get free estimates. (n.d.). Thumbtack. https://www.thumbtack.com/p/hot-tub-cost-per-month

11. HomeAdvisor. “How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Hot Tub?” HomeAdvisor, https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/swimming-pools-hot-tubs-and-saunas/repair-a-hot-tub/