Costs · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
How much electricity does a hired hot tub use? 2026 running costs
Where the electricity goes
A hot tub uses power in three ways: the heater, the filter pump and the air blower or jets. The heater is by far the biggest user. Most inflatable tubs have a heater of around 2 kW, and many plug-in hard-shell tubs have a heater of around 3 kW, both running from a 13 amp socket.
- Initial heat-up: the biggest single use, because the whole tub of water has to be warmed
- Holding temperature: the heater cycles on and off to replace heat lost through the cover and walls
- Filtration: the pump runs for several hours a day to keep water moving through the filter
- Bubbles or jets: high power but used only during sessions
Many inflatable tubs cannot run the heater and the bubbles at full power at the same time, so the water temperature can dip slightly during long bubble sessions.
Typical running costs in 2026
These figures use Ofgem's average price cap unit rate for direct debit customers of 26.32p per kWh, which applies from 1 October to 31 December 2026. Your own tariff may be higher or lower.
| Item | Typical energy | Typical cost at 26.32p per kWh |
|---|---|---|
| First heat from a fresh fill, inflatable | 15 to 25 kWh | £4 to £7 |
| Holding temperature per day, summer | 3 to 6 kWh | 80p to £1.60 |
| Holding temperature per day, winter | 6 to 12 kWh | £1.60 to £3.20 |
| Weekend hire, inflatable, mild weather | 25 to 40 kWh in total | £7 to £11 |
| Seven-night hire, inflatable, mild weather | 40 to 70 kWh in total | £11 to £18 |
| Hard-shell tub, per day once warm | Often similar or lower, thanks to better insulation | £1 to £3 |
These are rough guide figures. Actual use depends on the starting water temperature, the outside temperature, wind, how long the cover is off, and the tub's insulation.
Why the first day costs most
Mains water in the UK often comes out of the tap at around 8 to 15°C depending on the season. Raising around 800 litres of water to 38°C takes a lot of energy, and a 2 kW heater typically raises the temperature by around 1 to 1.5°C an hour. That is why an inflatable tub can take most of a day to reach temperature.
Once the water is warm, the cost of keeping it warm is much lower, as long as the cover stays on between sessions.
Ways to cut running costs
- Keep the cover on and fully strapped whenever the tub is not in use
- Put the tub somewhere sheltered from wind, which strips heat from the surface and walls
- Use the ground mat or insulated base supplied, so heat is not lost into a cold patio
- Avoid lowering and raising the set temperature, as reheating costs more than holding
- Keep bubble sessions sensible, as air blowers cool the water
- Fill with warmer water if the supplier allows it, for example from a hot tap mixed in, but check first
- Use a timer or off-peak tariff only if the supplier confirms it suits the tub
Hard-shell versus inflatable
A hard-shell hot tub usually has foam insulation, a thicker cover and a more powerful heater. It heats faster and loses less heat, so its daily holding cost is often similar to or lower than an inflatable once warm, especially in colder months. Inflatables are cheaper to hire but lose heat faster in cold, windy weather.
On a long hire, these differences add up. Over a week in winter, a well-insulated hard-shell tub can use noticeably less electricity than an inflatable of a similar size, which narrows the gap in hire price. Over a summer weekend, the difference is small and the cheaper inflatable usually wins.
Is it worth worrying about?
For most weekend hires, the electricity cost is small compared with the hire price. It becomes more noticeable on weekly and longer hires in winter, where it can add a noticeable amount to the bill. If cost matters, ask the supplier which tub is best insulated and plan to keep the cover on as much as possible.
If you want to know your actual cost, take a meter reading, or a screenshot of your smart meter display, just before delivery and again at collection. Plug-in energy monitors are not a good idea outdoors unless they are rated for outdoor use and the full load of the heater.
Frequently asked questions
Does hot tub hire include the electricity?
No. The tub runs from your own outdoor socket, so the electricity is on your normal bill. For a typical weekend hire of an inflatable tub in mild weather, the extra cost is usually somewhere around £7 to £11 at late 2026 average cap prices. Winter hires and long uncovered sessions cost more.
Can I turn the hot tub off at night to save money?
It usually costs more to let the water cool and reheat it than to hold the temperature with the cover on. Most suppliers recommend leaving the heater and filtration running throughout the hire. If you are away for a full day, you can lower the set temperature slightly, but check the supplier's advice first.
Why is my hired hot tub heating so slowly?
Slow heating is usually caused by very cold fill water, the cover being off or loose, wind, cold ground under the tub, or running the bubbles for long periods. A 2 kW inflatable heater raises the water by roughly 1 to 1.5°C an hour in good conditions. If it is not rising at all, contact the supplier, as the heater or pump may need resetting.
running costs electricity energy price cap heating
Related services
We cover 250 towns and cities, including Coventry, Nottingham, Mansfield, Manchester, Salford, Leeds.
