Is an Efficient Hot Tub Worth It in the UK? (2026)
With electricity at 26.3p per kWh in the UK, replacing a working hot tub takes 7.4 years to pay back, which is slow. When yours needs replacing anyway, the extra cost of the efficient model comes back in 5.9 years.
An efficient hot tub cuts electricity by 58%: about 2,555 kWh, worth £672.48 a year in the UK. Worth it when replacing
- From
- Inflatable hot tub outdoors, about 12 kWh a day, about 4,380 kWh a year
- To
- Insulated hard-shell tub with a thermal cover, about 5 kWh a day, about 1,825 kWh a year
- Usage
- Kept hot all year
| Scenario | You pay | Payback | Net over its life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replace a working hot tub now | £5,000 | 7.4 years | £3,070 |
| Replacing anyway: choose the efficient one | £4,000 | 5.9 years | £4,070 |
Prices are typical figures; type your own quotes above. Net over its life is the total saving over the years it lasts minus what you pay. It ignores inflation, interest and changes in electricity prices, which is conservative while prices are rising.
Our take
Never worth it for the electricity alone, given the price. Worth knowing before buying: the cheap tub costs more to run each year than many people expect.
How the two models compare
| Inefficient | Efficient | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Inflatable hot tub outdoors, about 12 kWh a day | Insulated hard-shell tub with a thermal cover, about 5 kWh a day |
| Electricity per year | 4,380 kWh | 1,825 kWh |
| Cost per year here | £1,153 | £480.34 |
| Over 12 years | £13,834 | £5,764 |
Usage behind these figures: kept hot all year. Basis: Manufacturer and owner measurements: inflatable tubs commonly 8 to 15 kWh a day, insulated hard-shell tubs 3 to 8 kWh in mild weather. The Hot Tub page prices the appliance at its own typical hours, which you can change there.
The same upgrade in other countries
| Country | Saving per year | Payback, replacing now | Payback, replacing anyway | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States (average) | $468.59 | 10.7 years | 8.5 years | Not for the electricity |
| United Kingdom | £672.48 | 7.4 years | 5.9 years | Worth it when replacing |
| Germany | €945.35 | 5.3 years | 4.2 years | Worth it when replacing |
| France | €511.26 | 9.8 years | 7.8 years | Not for the electricity |
| Australia | A$894.25 | 5.6 years | 4.5 years | Worth it when replacing |
| Canada (average) | C$357.70 | 14.0 years | 11.2 years | Not for the electricity |
Local electricity prices, with the same purchase price read in local currency, which is a simplification. The saving column is what matters: the higher the price of electricity, the faster any upgrade pays back.
Other upgrades in the UK, fastest payback first
- LED Light Bulbsaves £24.74 a year · worth it now
- Dehumidifiersaves £142.13 a year · worth it now
- Electric Water Heatersaves £806.97 a year · worth it now
- Pool Pumpsaves £369.53 a year · worth it now
- Wi-Fi Routersaves £27.64 a year · worth it when replacing
- Electric Sauna Heatersaves £446.65 a year · worth it when replacing
- Chest Freezersaves £81.59 a year · worth it when replacing
- Clothes Dryersaves £118.44 a year · worth it when replacing
- Air Conditionersaves £65.80 a year · worth it when replacing
- Refrigeratorsaves £113.18 a year · worth it when replacing
- Desktop Computersaves £80.80 a year · not for the electricity
- Space Heatersaves £236.88 a year · not for the electricity
- Electric Stovesaves £38.43 a year · not for the electricity
- Dishwashersaves £36.85 a year · worth it when replacing
- Washing Machinesaves £25.00 a year · worth it when replacing
- Televisionsaves £19.21 a year · not for the electricity