Hot tubs might represent the ultimate in backyard luxury. But when you choose the right model, these machines won’t necessarily come with a high-end price tag.
Hot tub costs can be split into two main categories: upfront (the cost of buying and installing the machine), and ongoing (the cost of running and maintaining the machine).
While most prospective hot tub owners tend to focus on upfront costs, the reality is that the ongoing costs will often be more significant over the lifetime of the spa.
These ongoing costs include the water to fill your spa, the chemicals to keep that water clean and clear, and the general upkeep that a hot tub needs to continue to run smoothly. But the largest and most important ongoing cost of hot tub ownership is the electricity to power the spa.
What affects hot tub energy efficiency?
The more energy efficient the hot tub, the better it is for your wallet, and the better it is for the planet.
In terms of energy efficiency, hot tubs can vary wildly. But a few key factors impact how much power a hot tub uses.
External factors, like where you place your hot tub in Melbourne, can have an impact on spa pool energy use. Placing the spa in an area that offers some protection from the elements can help the machine to retain more heat. Placing the spa on an insulating mat can stop heat leaking out through the base of the machine, into the cold concrete or pavers below.
But most of the factors that contribute to hot tub energy efficiency relate to the design of the machine itself.
The most important is insulation. The difference between the insulation found within a budget hot tub versus a premium hot tub can be significant.
Basic hot tubs tend to be partially filled with spray foam insulation, which isn’t particularly effective at retaining heat. As a result the heater is required to work harder to keep the hot tub at the set temperature, which uses more electricity.
The best hot tubs have cabinets that are completely filled with multi-density foam that is designed to keep as much heat within the hot tub as possible. Hot air rises, so high-end machines also feature fully-insulated hot tub covers that allow an owner to keep their water heated all year round, while using minimal electricity.
Hot tub energy efficiency is also determined by how the water is circulated. The most efficient machines filter their water constantly to keep it clean, but the best systems use less energy than a 40W light bulb.
The quality of the internal machinery plays its part too – an investment in a machine filled with precision-engineered parts can pay itself back in the long run, both in terms of energy use and the fact that quality parts last longer, and won’t need to be replaced as often as cheaper alternatives.
What are Australia’s most energy efficient hot tubs?
Independent laboratory testing has recently revealed that Hot Spring® hot tubs have the lowest running costs of any Australian hot tub brand.
The testing covered Australasia’s major hot tub brands, and found that Hot Spring machines could be powered for as little as $1 per day, making them the most energy efficient of the tested group.
This probably comes as no surprise to the devoted Melbourne following that the Hot Spring brand has built up over the decades.
Established in 1980, Hot Spring is Australasia’s oldest, most trusted and most innovative hot tub brand. The company is known for its investment in research and development, which has only grown now that it is backed by the world’s largest hot tub brand, Watkins Wellness.
The testing revealed that Hot Spring hot tubs tick every box in terms of hot tub energy efficiency: they feature high-end insulation, precision-engineered internal machinery, and water care systems designed to do more with less.
Consider investing in quality
Prospective Melbourne hot tub owners are increasingly factoring power use into their calculations when considering their purchase. It’s a smart move – one that helps a buyer to look past the sticker price and get a true sense of the value of a machine.
Armed with these insights, more and more Melburnians are choosing to invest in a higher quality, more premium hot tub, safe in the knowledge that their investment will be paid back over time through lower bills.
These new hot tub owners will also enjoy the more luxurious soaking and ownership experience that a premium hot tub can deliver: enhanced hydromassage, fresher water, stunning aesthetics, and less work thanks to automated water care systems.
A hot tub is a significant purchase. But by framing it not as a cost, but as an investment, you can choose a machine that gives you the best of everything.