A hot tub is a luxurious addition to your Canberra backyard. But you don’t want this luxury to come at too high a cost. So how much does a hot tub cost to run in Canberra?
The short answer: the average hot tub draws around 5kW of electricity, which is comparable to appliances like clothes dryers, ovens and ducted air conditioners. Exactly what that power costs you will depend on the rate that you pay for your electricity.
But there’s even more nuance to the answer than that. Let’s break down the basics of electricity use, to get a sense of hot tub energy costs in Canberra.
How much electricity does a hot tub use in Canberra?
Electricity is generally the most significant ongoing cost that a hot tub owner will face – higher than water, chemicals, maintenance and repairs.
While figures can vary dramatically based on a number of factors (which we’ll investigate below), the average hot tub uses about 5 kilowatts (kW) of power. The heater is the most power-hungry component, drawing an average of 3-4kW, but potentially as little as 2kW or as much as 9kW.
Canberra’s chilly climate means that your hot tub heater may need to work harder here than in other parts of the country, but choosing a quality machine can minimise the effect of weather on power use.
Beyond the heater, the movement of water through pumps and jets draws around 1-2kW, while lights, water features, screens and speakers use a small amount of power.
Understanding hot tub electricity units
As outlined above, hot tub electricity is measured in kilowatts (kW). In fact, if you look at your power bill you’ll see it’s measured in ‘kilowatt hours’ (kWh), with 1kWh being the amount of energy that a 1000 watt appliance, like an iron or microwave, uses in an hour.
As such, an hour-long soak in a 5kW hot tub will use 5kWh of electricity. If your electricity rate is around the ACT average of $0.30/kWh, that soak would cost $1.50 in terms of energy usage.
How much does hot tub electricity cost in Canberra?
Armed with an understanding of how electricity is measured, how much a hot tub uses, and how that translates to dollars and cents, how much will you be paying to power your tub?
The average monthly power bill for a two-person Canberra household is in the range of $110 to $265. If you choose a cheap, inefficient hot tub, it could use $100 of power a month, potentially doubling your bill. But if you choose a premium and ultra-efficient machine, it might cost less than $50 a month to run.
What are Australia’s most energy efficient hot tubs? You’ll find them right here at Hot Spring. Our energy efficiency has been proven through independent laboratory testing, which found that our machines can be run for as little as $1 a day.
This is why the sticker price of a hot tub only ever tells part of the story. An upfront investment in quality can end up saving you thousands of dollars in years to come.
What factors affect hot tub energy costs in Canberra?
A handful of key factors determine the amount of power your Canberra hot tub uses:
Insulation
As we saw above, the heater is the single most power-hungry component in your hot tub. The more help it gets, the lower your power use will be. This is why it’s so critical to choose a spa with high quality insulation that fills the entire cabinet – like the models in our Highlife collection. This helps your hot tub to retain more heat, and reduces the amount of work the heater needs to do.
Size
The bigger the machine, the more water there is to heat, move and filter. Larger hot tubs will naturally use more power than smaller models, but the differences can be minimised by choosing a well insulated machine.
Frequency of use
While a regular hot tub user will naturally use more power than those who only soak on special occasions, a regular soak enhances the health and wellness effects of your spa, and ensures you get maximum value from your investment. An energy efficient spa will allow you to enjoy your soak without the worry of how much it’s adding to your power bill.
Heating method
Clever heat pump and hot air induction jet technologies can heat your spa more efficiently than a hot tub heater alone.
Circulation pumps
The SilentFlo 5000 circulation pump ensures 100% of your water is filtered 100% of the time, while using less power than a 40W light bulb. Most other hot tubs filter their water using the far less efficient pumps that power the jets.
Positioning
Your hot tub may have to work hard to retain its heat in Canberra’s chilly winter conditions, but placing it in a more protected part of your backyard can help to reduce its exposure to the elements.
Reducing your hot tub power use
There are a few simple ways to minimise the impact your hot tub has on your electricity bill, including:
- Choosing quality: If you’re willing to pay a little more upfront, you can enjoy significant ongoing savings. A premium hot tub may even prove cheaper than a budget model in the long run!
- Setting a lower temperature: Avoid defaulting to the maximum temperature. Choose your lowest comfortable setting instead.
- Always covering your spa: An insulated cover keeps that valuable heat in. Lock yours on whenever the hot tub is not in use.
At Hot Spring we’ve spent over 30 years introducing Canberrans to Australasia’s finest, most innovative and most energy efficient hot tubs. When you step into a Hot Spring, you can enjoy the ultimate soak, free from power usage worries and guilt.
Ready to experience the Hot Spring difference? Get in touch with your local dealer today!