How Much Does It Cost to Run a Hot Tub in Alberta? (2026)
A hot tub heater runs several hours a day to maintain temperature, and the circulation pump runs much longer. Inflatable hot tubs are the most expensive to run because they lose heat quickly through thin walls.
A typical hot tub (3,000 W) costs C$0.67 per hour, or about C$80.82 per month at 4 hours a day in Alberta. Expensive to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low 1,500 W | C$0.34 | C$1.35 | C$40.41 | C$491.66 |
| Typical 3,000 W | C$0.67 | C$2.69 | C$80.82 | C$983.31 |
| High 6,000 W | C$1.35 | C$5.39 | C$161.64 | C$1,967 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 4 h/day ≈ 4,380 kWh per year.
One hour of a hot tub (3.0 kWh) is the same electricity as
- 17km in an electric car
- 30hours of TV
- 67hours of a laptop
- 333hours of an LED bulb
In Alberta, with electricity at 22.4¢ per kWh (source: Hydro-Québec 2025 comparison, 2025-04), a typical hot tub costs C$0.67 per hour and about C$983.31 per year at 4 hours a day. That is about 60% more than the national average for Canada (C$50.40 per month), because electricity in Alberta costs 22.4¢ per kWh against 14.0¢ nationally. Each C$1.00 of electricity buys roughly 1.5 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a hot tub
- Keep the insulated cover on whenever the tub is not in use. Most heat escapes through the water surface.
- Lower the set temperature by a few degrees between uses.
- Place the tub out of the wind or add a windbreak.
- Inflatable tubs can use two to three times the electricity of a hard-shell model.
In standby it draws about 100 W, which adds roughly 876 kWh (C$196.66) per year if it is never unplugged.
Is an efficient hot tub worth it?
Inflatable hot tub outdoors, about 12 kWh a day: about 4,380 kWh a year. Insulated hard-shell tub with a thermal cover, about 5 kWh a day: about 1,825 kWh. The difference is worth C$573.60 a year in Alberta.
- Replacing one that still works pays back in 8.7 years.
- When yours needs replacing anyway, the extra cost of the efficient model pays back in 7.0 years.
Usage assumed: kept hot all year. Typical prices: C$5,000 for the efficient model, C$4,000 more than a basic one. Work it out with your own prices
Frequently asked questions
How much does a hot tub add to the electricity bill?
Commonly 3 to 8 kWh a day in mild weather and much more in winter, so it can be one of the largest household loads.
Is it cheaper to keep a hot tub on all the time?
For regular use, yes. Reheating from cold uses more than maintaining temperature under a good cover.
How much does an inflatable hot tub cost to run?
Often 8 to 15 kWh a day because of poor insulation, especially outdoors in cool weather.
Compare with
Cost by region
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Canadian provinces
Related appliances
- Electric Lawn Mower (Corded or Battery)1,200 W typical
- Electric Pressure Washer1,800 W typical
- Electric Sauna Heater6,000 W typical
- Infrared Sauna1,800 W typical
Use the generic electricity cost calculator · Which uses more? Take the quiz