How much does it cost to run a hot tub? (2026 price cap)

Typical rating and how we worked this out

This page uses a typical rating of 2kW for a hot tub; published figures for this appliance range from 950W to 4.5kW. A hot tub's running cost is dominated by how often the heater has to work to hold temperature, not just the pump; a well-insulated tub used two to four times a week and kept covered between uses typically costs UK owners in the region of £10–£20 a week, though a poorly insulated tub run constantly at a high temperature can cost several times that. The running cost follows the same formula used across this site: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × unit rate. Typical use is modelled as 4 hours a day of heater/pump cycling, which is how the per-day, per-week and per-year figures above were calculated — see the cost-to-run calculator to change the wattage, hours or region yourself.

Rate used: Ofgem price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026, GB average electricity — 26.32p/kWh (excl. VAT, removed 1 Oct 2026–31 Mar 2027).

Cost by region

Same appliance, same use — ranked most to least expensive by region under the price cap:

East Midlands is cheapest at £741 a year; Merseyside and Northern Wales is most expensive at £814 a year — a gap of £73.00 for identical use.

How a hot tub compares with similar appliances

Ranked by typical annual cost in heating & cooling, GB average:

• hot tub — £769 a year (this page)
• portable air conditioner — £692 a year
• oil-filled radiator — £576 a year
• electric fan heater (2kW) — £384 a year
• electric fireplace — £346 a year
• immersion heater — £288 a year

Three practical ways to cut the cost

1. Always use the insulated cover when not in use — heat loss through an uncovered tub is the single biggest cost driver
2. Lower the set temperature by 2–3°C between uses rather than holding it at bathing temperature around the clock
3. Keep the tub well sealed and maintained — a leaking tub loses heated water that has to be reheated from cold

FAQs

How much does it cost to run a hot tub for an hour?

53p at the GB-average rate (26.32p/kWh, 2kW). One typical use — 4 hours a day of heater/pump cycling — costs closer to £2.11.

How much does a hot tub cost to run per year?

Around £769 a year at the GB-average rate, assuming 4 hours a day of heater/pump cycling — about £14.78 a week.

Which UK region is cheapest to run a hot tub in?

East Midlands, at £741 a year, against £814 in Merseyside and Northern Wales — £73.00 apart for identical use, purely from the regional rate.

Does the exact wattage of my hot tub change the cost much?

Yes — ratings range 950W–4.5kW, so the top of that range costs about 4.7x the bottom. This page uses 2kW; check your own rating plate.

Does the October 2026 price cap affect this figure?

Yes — figures use the Ofgem cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026. Electricity excludes VAT (removed 1 Oct 2026–31 Mar 2027); gas includes 5%. See the price cap page for the full breakdown.

Sources

• Softub — hot tub running costs explained — wattage and usage figures for this appliance.
• Ofgem — Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges (regional tables, read 12 September 2026).

Related

• Cost-to-run calculator and full A–Z — check any appliance or enter a custom wattage.
• Energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026 — every region, every payment method.
• Back-billing calculator — if a bill for this or any appliance looks like it covers too many months.
• Free bill audit — if your overall energy costs look high regardless of any one appliance.