Thinking about adding a hot tub? Here are some things to consider

By Dani Messick

Considering adding your own personal manmade hot spring to your backyard?

You could get an inflatable option for barely $500, or create a backyard oasis with music, lighting and a gazebo for over $20,000. The options are almost limitless.

With traditional hot tubs coming in as high as $7,000 - or more, if you’re adding a deck to accommodate, inflatable hot tub options are growing in popularity due to their lower price point and sometimes portable nature. Forbes recommends the Intex 28431EP at under $1,000 as the best inflatable hot tub option and Coleman SaluSpa Tahiti Inflatable Hot Tub at under $500 as the best portable option.

Cost options also vary drastically based on material. Rotomolded plastic, made of polyethylene, and vinyl, similar to a pool liner, costs less but they have a worse reputation for retaining heat, while hot tubs with acrylic liners can cost up to $16,000, depending on the size of the tub, and are best at retaining that even pressure warmth and remaining positioned.

There’s also a host of amenities to consider, including lighting, shelving, control panel sensors, jet positioning and entertainment packages.

Forbes also says adding a hot tub won’t increase the value of your home, but it won’t hurt it either. And the added yearly costs of electricity and maintenance are nothing to sneeze at, ranging from $500 to $1,200 per year for the electricity, chemicals, water, and cleanings for a year-round system.

Energy efficiency is also a growing concern for hot tub owners. Full foam installation options and thermal covers help to keep heat in, so costs stay as low as possible. Spa Depot’s Hot Tub Buyer’s Guide indicates the most energy-efficient hot tubs have reflective backed foam insulation, which acts as a mirror to bounce heat back into the spa.

When considering electricity costs for a new hot tub, Spa Depot also recommends not determining your new spa based on horsepower or number of pumps. “More horsepower and more pumps don’t always mean a better massage or a better hot tub. Spa pumps provide flow to the jets,” the company’s guide says. “A spa with outrageous total horsepower ratings or too many pumps (we’ve seen spas with 6!) will consume enormous amounts of energy.” The ideal spa will have a good jet-to-horsepower ratio for ideal efficiency and jet strength, it adds.

Instead, they say, the shell, energy efficiency rating, and a good cover will largely determine the energy savings. “Heat rises, and a quality cover will conserve energy and save money on power bills.” Opt for locking straps to protect from dirt, weather, and bugs or critters getting in, although a new spa should come with them.

The pandemic knocked hot tub sales through the roof, with so many seeking their own home oasis. The result was an increased demand that led to backorders months out. Pool Magazine reported in March hot tubs and home spas are back on track, with $19 billion in global sales in 2022 and predicted growth of $4.5 million by 2030. They also report as swimming pools increase in cost, more and more customers are opting for the less costly option that can be used year-round. n