Let’s talk about hot tubs and spas, which are not so squeaky clean when it comes to energy consumption. Folks need to know that while they are luxuriating in a hot tub, the electric meter is spinning faster.

Yes, it’s the time of year for people to relax in a bubbling, frothy hot tub after a long day working in the sun. These units have become very popular. They are designed to be built-in, either indoors or outside, or used as portables. Many people in our area locate their hot tub on a patio, porch, or behind a privacy fence.

Hot tubs consume electricity in two different ways. The pump circulates water, and an aerator makes the bubbles. This can be on a timed cycle or a continuous cycle, depending on the user’s preference. The tub also has an electric water heater, although some models can be purchased with a natural gas or propane heater.

The problem is that hot tub energy consumption is fairly constant. The pump needs to circulate to keep the water moving and filtered. The heater is what raises the water temperature above tepid, meaning it needs to operate even in the summer.

So, what’s your hot tub cost to operate?

It’s not as expensive in the summer, of course. The water retains its heat longer, but the pump might need to circulate more due to heavier use. Let’s say, for the sake of illustration, you need to raise the temperature of the water from 70 degrees to 100 degrees first thing in the morning and maintain it for one hour.

The price tag for this most basic of hot tub tasks – heating the water -- is over $2 in electric consumption. To this should be added 20 cents for the two-horsepower pump motor’s operation and 10 cents for the aerator. Estimate the one-hour cost to be at last $2.30. Get the idea? Then, your tub cycles on and off for the remainder of the day.

The larger the hot tub or spa, the greater the operating cost. The expense of owning and operating a hot tub becomes even greater in the winter. Many folks enjoy their spas when the temperature is cold. But the electricity required to maintain 100-102 degree water, or even the minimum to keep the unit from freezing, carries a hefty price tag.

Just remember if you own a spa or are considering a purchase that your monthly electric bill will increase. We have seen spikes of over $100 per month on bills, depending on the season and amount of use.

If you’d like to learn more about the cost of operating a hot tub, go to BREC’s Web site (www.buckeyerec.com) and click on the “HomeEnergy Suite” icon at the bottom right hand corner of the page. Next, click on the “Library” tab and you’ll be taken to a page with three buttons. Click on the “Home Energy Systems” button, and then click again on “Outdoor Living.” You’ll be able to see what outdoor lighting, swimming pools, and hot tubs cost and how to lower out-of-pocket expenses for those long, soaking, muscle-relaxing sojourns.

In the meantime, remember that the cost of maintaining a hot tub through the winter probably exceeds the pleasure derived from the bubbly, heated water. Consider shutting down the tub, disconnecting and draining the water lines, and covering it with a tight-fitting lid. If you only use the hot tub a few times in the winter, you’ll be further ahead money-wise. You’ll also be helping conserve energy.

For more information, visit our Web site or call 1-800-231-BREC.