Hot tub use dives as high energy bills burst the pandemic bubble
- Hot tub users pulling the plug on their devices in droves, findings claim
Hot tub users are pulling the plug on their devices in their droves due to high energy prices over the past year, findings from uSwitch reveal.
A fifth of owners have mothballed them, or only use them for special occasions to cut down on bills, while online searches have plummeted since their 2020 and 2021 spikes, the research suggests.
Only 6 per cent of hot tub owners said their usage remained the same amid higher energy bills.
From pandemic boom: Hot tubs were all the rage as lockdowns kept people at home
To energy bills bust: Hot tub users are pulling the plug on their devices in droves, says uSwitch, leaving some inflatable tubs in a similar condition to this sad built-in feature
Inefficient hot tubs can cost up to £4.94 a day to run at current energy prices, compared with 90p for efficient models, but this is likely to rise in October if rates increase as predicted, uSwitch said.
The comparison website said 14 per cent of households with hot tubs had 'massively cut down' the time they spent using the tub and ensure it is switched off at the mains when not in use.
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Only 10 per cent said they leave the mains on and tub running in a bid to keep the water warm.
Having peaked during the pandemic, online searches for hot tubs have since fallen sharply.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at uSwitch, said: 'Hot tubs require a large amount of energy to run, so it’s not surprising that so many owners have taken steps to cut down the time that they’re in use.
'The good news is that running costs are less than half what they were last summer, which may prompt some people to brush the dust off their hot tubs to enjoy them on the warm summer evenings.
'To save energy on your hot tub, make sure you get a well-fitted cover that forms an air-tight seal to avoid losing heat and using more energy when it’s not in use.
'If you are considering getting one this summer, make sure you check its energy efficiency.
'Pricier hot tubs are likely to be better insulated and will cost less to run long term.'
Online searches for hot tubs spiked during the pandemic, but have since dwindled
According to uSwitch, around 1,974,000, or 7 per cent, of households have a hot tub in their garden.
Anyone contemplating buying a hot tub needs to consider energy costs and servicing and maintenance costs.
In energy bill terms, the cost of running a hot tub will depend on things like the size and model of the tub, the electricity tariff you are on, what temperature is required for the water and how much time you plan to spend in the tub with the jets on.
WhatSpa? claims the most energy-efficient hot tubs cost between £1 and £1.30 per day at current energy tariffs of around 28p.62 per kWh.
However, not all hot tubs are designed to run efficiently.
A heater will also be required for the water, and again, some models are less energy efficient than others.
According to WhatSpa?, hot tubs should be serviced by a professional at least once a year.
A one-off service can cost around £100 to £200, but serving plans, charged monthly, are also available, WhatSpa? said. Costs for maintaining water quality also need to be factored in. A filter and chemicals for water purification will be required.
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