Most energy-efficient hot tubs

Our 3 picks for the best energy-efficient hot tub brands

1. ThermoSpas
2. Master Spas
3. HotSpring

Compare energy-efficient hot tub brands

The right energy-efficient hot tub for you depends on how many seats, how much water capacity and how many jets you want — among several other factors.

Hot tub energy costs

The average hot tub consumes 2,514 kilowatt-hours (kWh) a year. The average cost of electricity nationwide is 15.45 cents per kWh, making the energy cost of operating a hot tub about $388 annually.

The annual cost to run an energy-efficient hot tub is over $100 less than a regular hot tub.

A well-insulated hot tub coupled with an effective cover can reduce the number of annual kWh usage by 20% to 2,011 kWh. A dual-pump system can lower that number by an additional 375 kWh to 1,636 kWh a year. Overall, reducing the total energy usage from 2,514 kWh to 1,636 kWh. This means an energy-efficient hot tub should cost around $253 annually to run.

How to choose an energy-efficient hot tub

“Primarily, [energy-efficient hot tubs] will save consumers on energy bills in the long term. Moreover, they are designed to maintain temperature more effectively, reducing the energy needed to heat the water consistently,” said Andrei Newman, founder of Designer Home Spas in Miami, Florida.

If you’re purchasing a new hot tub, see if it meets the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) minimum energy efficiency standards. According to the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP), meeting this standard can save you $450 to $1,300 each year, depending on what type of spa you have.

A quality energy-efficient hot tub should have these three key features:

• Great insulation
• A high-quality cover
• A dual-pump system

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Insulation

How much heat escapes your tub will greatly affect your energy consumption, but good insulation can raise the price of the tub. Many “plug-and-play” hot tub models have low upfront costs, but they cost a lot to run since they typically have inefficient heaters.

“To determine how effective the insulation is, ask about the R-value (thermal resistance). The higher the R-value, the better the insulation. Be sure to ask what materials line the tub. Try to skip fiberglass insulation since it tends to become less effective when exposed to moisture.

Cheri, a ConsumerAffairs review from Arizona, noticed an immediate difference when her newer hot tub was better insulated. “We liked the way the (hot tub) is wrapped underneath and is well insulated. That makes it more energy-efficient and our previous spa didn't have that.

» COMPARE: Best hot tub insulation

Cover

Investing in a high-quality cover can reduce your hot tub’s energy consumption by an additional 10%. As with insulation, a hot tub cover’s R-value indicates how well the insulating material works. An average cover will have an R-value of 12, so look for values higher than that.

While R-value is important, the insulation inside the cover may begin to take on water if the outer layer rips or becomes thinner, rendering the insulation ineffective. Even covers with high R-values can begin to take on water if the outer cover breaks down or gets damaged from prolonged heat, chemical and moisture exposure.

R-value measures a cover’s thermal resistance. An energy-efficient hot tub cover should have an R-value higher than 12.

To prevent damage to your cover, you can add a floating thermal blanket to your spa. This further insulates your tub and protects your cover from heat and moisture. Hot tub covers, which are quite heavy, can also rip when moving across rocks or concrete — consider buying a cover lift to prevent damage to the outer layer and protect your back. It’s also a good idea to read reviews of different covers before making a purchase to find out if customers are happy with the cover’s performance over time.

» COMPARE: Best hot tub covers

Dual-pump systems

Make sure the tub you purchase uses a dual-pump system. Some hot tubs use the same pump to continuously circulate the water they use to operate the high-powered massaging jets. The result is that the single pump, which has to be powerful enough for the jets, uses more energy than it should to circulate the water. A tub that uses separate pumps for circulation and jet operation will use less energy.

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Hot tub energy-saving tips

To ensure your hot tub runs as efficiently as possible, consider:

• Maintaining a temperature of 102 degrees
• Using your timer to time it “off” during peak hours (6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
• Turning the heat down when on vacation or not in use for weeks at a time
• Using a floating blanket to retain heat and extend the life of your hardcover
• Repairing leaks to avoid wasting water
• Placing windbreaks around the hot tub to cut wind exposure and heat loss

“To maximize your hot tub's efficiency, use a high-quality cover that fits snugly to avoid heat escape, only heat the water when you plan on using the spa, and ideally, set the temperature to the suggested ideal of 102 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, regular maintenance is critical to keep it operating efficiently,” said Newman.