How Much Does It Cost To Heat A Lay-Z-Spa? [Lay-Z-Spa Running Costs]

Are you trying to work out a budget for your Lay-Z-spa running costs? Or, maybe wondering just how much does it cost to heat a Lay-Z-Spa hot tub. From heating to water costs I will cover it all.

Inflatable hot tubs are a great affordable alternative to building a permanent jacuzzi but it is still worthwhile to keep in mind what it adds to your energy bill.

Take a look at the estimated lazy spa running costs in the UK.

Running Costs for a Lay-Z-Spa Hot Tub

Contents

Keep in mind that the exact running cost of a lay-z-spa depends on your electricity supplier, water provider and how energy-efficient your specific hot tub model is.

Although I have done my best to give you the most up-to-date cost estimates, everyone’s final bill will be different. Hopefully, with these average price ranges, you will be able to make a good estimate of the costs for yourself.

Heating Costs

If you are the proud owner of a Lay-Z-Spa that was produced after 2017 then it will feature a power-saving timer. Along with this is the fact that the pump heater is controlled by a thermostat, avoiding any need for sudden heat rises and therefore saving on energy consumption.

The heater will only heat the water to the set temperature at which time it will switch OFF. Only switching back on again when it falls below the desired temperature.

Overall this is the hardest costing to estimate because of the huge number of variables that need to be taken into account. These include the temperature settings, the amount of time the tub is used and, of course, the variation in the cost of electricity.

Electricity Costs

So, how much electricity does a lazy spa use in total? Average electricity costs in the UK are between 16p-19p per kWh, depending on your region and electricity provider. During hot summer months obviously, the cost goes down a little.

Check your electricity bill and then make an estimate using the following calculation:

lay-z-spa voltage in kWh x no. of hours in use x energy tariff

For example, a 220v spa runs at 2.2 kWh, used for 10 hours per month at a tariff of 17p per hour. Therefore: 2.2 x 10 x 0.17 = £3.74 per month to keep everything running.

Water Usage

Spa water does need to be refreshed every few months, even if you have kept up with the water quality maintenance. To calculate how much this may add to your water bill, you will need to know the metered charge for tap water.

Metered water charges are measured per cubic meter which is 1000 litres. According to Thames Water, the UK prices range anywhere between £1.1 – £1.7 per cubic meter so check the rates of your supplier.

As an example: the Lay-Z-Spa Miami has a water volume of 800 litres, so in reality, this cost could be as little as £1 for each water change. You can find the water volume for your spa either online or in the users manual.

Water Maintenance

To maintain the spa water quality, you need a few special hot tub chemicals on hand. These include:

pH decreaser/increaser
Alkalinity decreaser/increaser
Chlorine/bromine
Algaecide
Foam remover
Water clarifiers
Test strips (Learn how to read hot tub test strips here)
A hot tub vacuum to clean the bottom

A complete set generally costs around £30 and most contain enough for about 2 months of use.

Of course, this will depend on not only how often you use the spa, but, how many people use the hot tub. Along with how good you are at keeping debris and contaminants out with regular maintenance.

So, How Much Does It Cost To Run A Lay-Z-Spa?

So, How Much Does It Cost To Run A Lay-Z-Spa

Although hot tub running costs vary greatly based on your location, manufacturer, weather and suppliers, according to Lay-Z-Spa you can likely expect one of theirs to cost anywhere between £7-£10 a week to run a Lay-Z-Spa hot tub.

However, Lay-Z-Spa did have independent tests performed by a well-known global company called SGS Laboratory, who have put together the following report (based on £0.16p per KW electricity costs):

The below data is taken from the SGS Laboratory study and found on the Lay-Z-Spa website here.

“Based on energy use comparison of heater running constantly: A Lay‑Z‑Spa average energy cost over 3 years using for 6 months per year = £883. A Competitor’s average energy cost over 3 years using for 6 months per year = £1,193 Unit Cost“.

It’s worth noting that these running price are based on the mid-range Lay-Z-Spa Vegas model. Other models will inevitably vary.

Based On Test Data, Here’s The True Cost Of Running A Lay-Z-Spa In The UK

From independent tests and based on 6 months per year usage (at £0.16p per KW of electricity), it would cost around £294 a year for 6 months of Lay-Z-Spa usage, this works out at around £47 a month, or £11.50 a week.

Although slightly above Lay-Z-Spa’s own estimations, when the hot tub is not in use the independent tests showed a 35% reduction in energy costs, which would bring the running costs well within the advertised range.

Miscellaneous Costs

Alongside taking into account the upfront cost, alongside the maintenance and running costs, here are some other bills you can likely expect to have to cover at some point

Lay-Z-Spa Accessories

You can make your home hot tub experience as simple or as luxurious as your budget will allow. There huge selection of official Lay-Z-spa accessories, as well as aftermarket versions available to enhance the relaxing massage system. From basic headrests to LED lights that dance with the music and bathrobes to protect you from the cold air.

If this is an area you want to save money on, then you can choose the accessories to suit the budget. Accessories can cost as little as £20 to several hundred, but you can always add to your accessory collection a bit at a time.

General Maintenance & Cleaning Costs for a Hot Tub

Although hot tubs don’t actually need a lot of maintenance, they do need regular upkeep to maintain a clean and hygienic environment.

To do this effectively regular use of hot tub test strips for testing and chemicals to maintain water quality are required. That, along with checking the filters and cleaning or replacing the water filters as and when needed should be catered for in the budget. Dirty filters will put extra strain on the lay-z-spa pump.

One tip I can give you is to ensure the water always reaches the waterline. Many of the smaller parts of an inflatable spa are meant to stay submerged. If they are allowed to dry out rusting or bacteria build-up may occur.

Tips to Reduce the Cost of Running a Lazy Spa

Nobody is against saving money and there are many ways you can do so with a lazy spa. Here are a few tips.

If you have let the water cool significantly it will take more energy to heat. By using hot water from the hot tap inside the house you save on this.
Hot tubs are thermostatically regulated by leaving the heater activated continuously you will maintain the ideal water temperature. Turn the temperature down slightly when not in use for long periods of time.
Preserve energy by using an insulated spa cover whenever it is not in use.
Always place the hot tub on an insulated ground mat.
Place your hot tub in an area that is sheltered or use a windbreak to help avoid temperature loss when the ambient temperature falls.

Conclusion

Knowing the costs of electricity, water and water treatments, you can make a good estimate of how much it costs you to enjoy a lay-z-spa.

How Much Does It Cost To Heat A Lay-Z-Spa? [Lay-Z-Spa Running Costs]