It’s one of the most common questions we get in our Long Beach showroom: “With California electricity rates being so high, won’t a hot tub spike my utility bill?”
The short answer? It depends entirely on the hot tub you buy. While a poorly insulated, big-box store hot tub can easily add $75 to $100+ to your monthly bill, a premium, energy-efficient spa is surprisingly affordable to run. Here is what actually dictates the operating cost of a hot tub in Southern California.
Insulation is Everything Think of a hot tub like a thermos. A cheap hot tub has very little insulation between the acrylic shell and the outer cabinet, allowing heat to escape rapidly. This forces the heater to run constantly. Premium brands like Hot Spring Spas use high-density foam (like FiberCor®) to fully insulate the cabinet. Once the water is hot, it stays hot, requiring minimal electricity to maintain the temperature.
The Power of the Pump Many cheaper spas use a large, noisy, high-voltage pump to circulate and heat the water. High-end spas utilize dedicated circulation pumps (like Hot Spring’s SilentFlo 5000®). This pump uses less energy than a 40-watt light bulb to continuously circulate the water, keeping it clean and hot without drawing massive amounts of power.
The Cover Makes the Difference Since heat rises, a massive amount of energy can be lost through the top of the spa. A high-quality, custom-fit cover forms a tight vacuum seal around the lip of the spa, preventing heat from escaping into the cool SoCal night air.
The Bottom Line For a highly insulated, premium hot tub, most Southern California owners see an increase of roughly $20 to $40 a month on their energy bill, depending on usage and local utility rates. By investing in quality upfront, you’ll save thousands in electricity costs over the lifetime of the spa.
