Should I Leave My Hot Tub on All the Time?

Hot tubs should be left on all the time. It’s cheaper and decreases electricity bills to keep them on. Energy consumption to maintain the water temperature is lower than reheating it. For every degree lowered, save 10% on energy costs.

Maintaining temperature 24/7 is essential and efficient. Enjoy your hot tub whenever without waiting for it to heat. However, continuous operation increases costs to budget for.

Run your hot tub 12+ hours for proper filtration. Program cycles during off-peak hours to lower costs. In freezing climates keep running to prevent frozen pipes.
Drain and refill the hot tub every three to four months with average use. Don’t drain on the lawn as chemicals will kill grass. Run hose away from vegetation.

Overall, it is usually cheaper to leave your hot tub on a constant, consistent setting. Hot tubs, like any other appliance, will use more energy when first turned on and should run for at least 20 minutes to reach maximum temperature.
Today, quality hot tub models are very energy efficient and it may not make sense to turn your hot tub off when not in use as it can take more energy to heat a cold hot tub up to the temperature it is needed to be enjoyed.

Calculations:

Leave on 24 hrs/day at 102 = 375 gal x 1 btu/lb/f x 15 temp diff x 24 hr / (3412 btu/kWh) = 32 kWh
At $0.11 per kWh = $3.52
Turn down to 87 every night
- Reheat: 375 gal x 1 btu/lb/f x 15 temp diff x 5 hrs x 2 circuits x 4500w/circuit / 3412 btu/kWh = 96 kWh
- Maintain 87: assume uses 20% energy = 32 kWh x 20% = 6 kWh
  Total kWh = 96 + 6 = 102 kWh
  At $0.11 per kWh = $11.22

So leaving on 24/7 saves $7.70 per day, or $2816/year.

Should I turn off hot tub when not in use? Hot tub temperature when not in use. Turning off your hot tub isn’t necessary as this can use more energy when reheating it and will be less cost efficient. You will still need to check the chemical balance during this time. The simple answer: When your hot tub is not in use, the amount of money saved maintaining a higher temperature is actually cheaper than the cost of turning the temperature down, and having to re-heat the water 10-20°.

Leaving water inside the hot tub when you’re not using it can be an easy way to keep the hot tub clean. But what happens if you forget to turn off the hot tub? The water doesn’t have to be sitting there for long to start acting like a sponge, soaking up debris and debris from the air around it.

Hot tub pumps are designed to work continually. In fact, it’s better for the pump to be working rather than sitting idle.