IDOL SPAS · actual costs 2026
How much does a hot tub cost to run per month?
The most common question we hear in the showroom is not ‘how much does a hot tub cost?’, but ‘how much will it cost me to run?’. For a hot tub you will use for 10 years or more, operating costs have a greater impact on the total cost than the purchase price.
The good news is that the costs of a well-insulated outdoor acrylic hot tub are lower than most people expect.
Quick Response
For a well-insulated acrylic hot tub for 3–5 people, expect approximately the following costs. Calculated using an electricity price of 27 €/kWh.
Summer
Electricity: 400–34 €
Water care: 200–17 €
Water: approximately 5 €
Total per month: 700–54 €
Winter
Electricity: 900–75 €
Water care: 200–17 €
Water: approximately 5 €
Total per month: 1 200–96 €
The actual figures depend on the model, set temperature, frequency of use and, above all, the quality of the insulation.
What Makes Up the Costs
Water heating
The largest expense. A hot tub typically keeps the water at 36–38 °C. A well-insulated hot tub consumes approximately 2–4 kWh per day in summer and 5–9 kWh per day in winter.
Filtration and Circulation
The pumps run for several hours a day, but their consumption is low compared with heating. In practice, it amounts to tens of Czech crowns per day.
Water Treatment and Water
Sanitizing, pH adjustment, and filter cleaning usually cost 200–17 € per month. Replacing the water once every 3–4 months adds only a few hundred Kč per quarter.
What Determines Whether You Pay 700 or 130 €
The difference between an energy-efficient and an energy-hungry hot tub is enormous. It is largely determined by four factors that should be considered when choosing a model.
1. Hot Tub Shell Insulation
Low-cost hot tubs often cut corners here because insulation is not visible at first glance. In winter, you can then pay two to three times as much. IDOL SPAS acrylic hot tubs are built for year-round outdoor use.
2. Thermal Cover
Up to 60 % of heat escapes through the water surface. A high-quality, tightly sealing thermal cover is the least expensive energy-saving measure. A damaged or waterlogged cover quickly becomes costly in winter.
3. Set Temperature
Reducing the temperature from 38 to 36 °C can save a significant portion of costs in winter. Energy-saving mode makes sense during longer absences.
4. Location
A hot tub sheltered from the wind, for example by a wall or under a pergola, loses less heat than one on a completely open terrace.
What has the greatest impact on real-world energy consumption
For an outdoor hot tub, costs are not determined by heater output alone. In practice, an insulated installation, a quality thermal cover and technology that remains easy to service after years of use are decisive.
A quality thermal cover retains heat where it escapes fastest — above the water surface.
A good location sheltered from the wind helps especially in winter, when heat loss is highest.
Plug-In Hot Tub, 400 V and Comparison with a Swimming Pool
In terms of consumption, it makes no difference whether the hot tub uses 230 V or 400 V — a kWh costs the same. A plug-in hot tub mainly heats more slowly, so it is suitable where the water is maintained at a constant temperature. Insulation, not the type of electrical connection, remains decisive for operating costs.
A conventional outdoor pool has cooler water but a much larger volume and surface area. A pool heated to 28 °C can cost more during the season than a year-round hot tub. A compromise for swimmers is a counter-current pool in the form of a swim spa pool, with an insulated body and thermal cover.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth switching off a hot tub for winter?
Usually not for a well-insulated hot tub. Repeatedly heating cold water uses a lot of energy, while a drained hot tub exposed to frost risks damage to the pipework. Switching it off only makes sense for a shutdown lasting several months with professional winterisation.
How much electricity does a hot tub use per year?
A well-insulated hot tub for 3–5 people uses approximately 1 500–2 500 kWh per year, which at a price of 27 €/kWh is about 10 000–670 €. A poorly insulated hot tub can cost twice as much to run.
Will a heat pump reduce costs?
Yes, significantly for larger water volumes. That is why we offer one as standard for swim spa pools. For a conventional hot tub, the investment pays back more slowly, so we calculate it according to the specific model and usage.
How can I determine the exact consumption for a specific model?
Visit our showroom in Modletice near Prague or use our hot tub configurator. We will also provide the expected operating costs for your conditions with the configuration.
Would you like to know your hot tub's running costs?
IDOL SPAS is a Czech manufacturer of acrylic hot tubs and swim spa pools. We manufacture in Jílové near Prague, provide a warranty of up to 15 years on the acrylic, and offer servicing throughout the Czech Republic. Explore our hot tubs or visit our showroom.