How to Lower Your Hot Tub Running Costs | Outback 365 NI
Owning a Jacuzzi® Hot Tub should feel enjoyable, relaxing, and rewarding. And from our experience supporting customers across Northern Ireland, most running-cost problems come down to a few easily fixed habits – not the hot tub itself.
The good news is that with the right setup and a few simple habits, you can significantly reduce your running costs without sacrificing comfort or performance.
This updated Northern Ireland specific guide outlines the smartest, proven ways to keep your Jacuzzi® operating efficiently all year round.
👉 Explore our full range of Jacuzzi hot tubs.
1. Reduce Your Temperature (Your Biggest Saver)
A small temperature adjustment can make a real difference. Most people in NI keep their hot tubs between 37°C-38.5°C. Even a 1°C reduction can save a noticeable amount over winter because heaters cycle far more frequently in NI’s colder climate.
Why this works:
Your heater doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain temperature, especially overnight and in colder weather.
Tip:
If you use your hot tub less frequently mid-week, drop it slightly and increase it again a few hours before you plan to get in.
2. Maintain Clean, Balanced Water
The clearer and more stable your water is, the less energy your hot tub needs to maintain heat and quality.
Do:
- Test regularly – balanced water heats more efficiently.
- Shower before use to reduce oils and contaminants.
- Use Jacuzzi®-approved chemicals for consistent results.
- Keep scale under control if you’re in a harder water area.
Avoid:
- Letting water go cloudy (this often leads to unnecessary drains and refills).
3. Look After Your Filters
Your filters play a major role in running efficiency. A blocked filter forces the system to work harder, which increases electrical load and slows down heating.
Weekly: Give them a quick rinse.
Monthly: Use a proper filter cleaner to remove deeper oils and residue.
Why this matters
Clean filters allow water to circulate freely, reducing strain on pumps and helping your hot tub heat faster and maintain temperature more efficiently.
If your usage has recently dropped, you can also reduce your filtration cycle slightly, just remember to increase it again when usage goes up.
4. Turn Off Air Controls When Not In Use
Air injectors pull colder outside air into the water. When they’re left open:
- Your heater has to work harder
- Your temperature fluctuates more
- Your energy usage increases
Air controls are great during use, but when left open afterwards, especially overnight, they pull cold air into the water and waste energy. Always shut the air controls after use to keep water stable and energy costs lower.
5. Use Eco Mode or Energy-Saving Settings
Jacuzzi® high-flow pumps and SmartTub® features are designed with efficiency in mind.
If you know you won’t be using the hot tub for a couple of days, switching to Eco Mode helps reduce running costs while maintaining water quality.
6. Manage Your Lighting
Jacuzzi® hot tubs already use energy-efficient LEDs, but they still draw power.
If you’re soaking during the day or early evening, consider turning the lights down or off.
Save the lighting for night-time relaxation or special occasions.
7. Check Your Hot Tub Cover
Your cover is one of the most important insulation components.
Signs your cover is costing you money:
- Feels heavy or waterlogged
- Has cracked vinyl
- Shows steam escaping from the edges
- Smells musty or mouldy
In Northern Ireland’s damp climate, covers tend to absorb water more quickly, which reduces their insulation efficiency and leads to unnecessary heat loss. A saturated cover loses heat rapidly and forces your heater to run more often.
Typical lifespan: 4-6 years
Savings: A new cover pays for itself quickly through reduced heat loss.
8. Consider Your Hot Tub’s Position
Exposure to strong winds, open spaces, or constant rainfall can increase running costs.
You can improve efficiency by:
- Positioning your hot tub in a sheltered area
- Adding a pergola or overhead cover
- Using natural windbreaks like fencing or hedging
Even moving a hot tub a few feet into a sheltered corner can noticeably improve heat retention in winter.
9. Keep Your Service Schedule Up to Date
A regular service from a qualified hot tub technician ensures:
- Pumps run efficiently
- Heaters perform correctly
- Insulation is intact
- Filters and pipework are clean
- Minor issues are spotted early
Regular servicing also keeps your hot tub performing efficiently throughout NI’s damp and colder months. This prevents unnecessary energy usage and avoids costly repairs caused by overworked components.
👉 Learn more about our Hot Tub Servicing & Repairs here.
10. Leverage SmartTub® for Real Energy Insights
If your Jacuzzi® model includes SmartTub®, this is one of your best tools for managing running costs.
SmartTub® helps you:
- Track real-world energy use
- Optimise heating schedules
- Activate Smart Heat Mode
- Monitor system health
- Identify unusual patterns early
Most Jacuzzi® owners we see average around 6 – 8 kWh per day”. Many owners are surprised by this, as real SmartTub® data often shows lower usage than expected.
👉 Learn more in our full SmartTub® System Guide.
11. If Your Hot Tub Is Older, Efficiency Will Naturally Decline
Just like a boiler or car, an older hot tub loses efficiency over time. Insulation compresses, technology becomes outdated, and heating systems work harder.
If your hot tub is 8-10 years old, it may be worth comparing the cost to maintain and repair versus upgrading to a newer, more efficient model. Older spas naturally lose insulation performance over time, which can increase running costs by 20-30% compared to modern Jacuzzi® models.
Jacuzzi®’s modern insulation, SmartTub®, and energy-efficient pumps can make a substantial difference to monthly running costs.
12. Winterising (Optional but Useful for Long Breaks)
If you don’t plan on using your hot tub over winter, consider professional winterisation. This protects pipework, pumps, heater components, and internal insulation. Proper winterisation also prevents freeze damage – one of the most common avoidable issues during NI winters, and ensures a smooth restart in spring.
Final Thought
These are the same recommendations we give during installations, site visits, and annual servicing across Northern Ireland.
With the right setup and a few small habits, it’s completely possible to enjoy your Jacuzzi® Hot Tub year-round while keeping running costs under control. Most improvements cost nothing, just small changes in how you use your spa.
👉If you’d like us to check your hot tub’s condition or efficiency, you can book a service visit at any time.
*Energy usage varies based on climate, insulation, hot tub age, and owner habits.