Although many homeowners like the idea of a personal hot tub, its perceived electrical costs could make you nervous about installing one. But, there are many ways in which to adapt your spa so you always stay in control of your energy bills.

Limit most use to ‘off-peak’ periods
Many hydro companies bill according to ‘Time-of-Use’ pricing. For example, Toronto Hydro offers its lowest electricity rates during the off-peak hours of 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. during the summer months. Check with your local hydro company to see if they operate on this type of billing structure.
If so, try to maximize your hot tub use during off-peak hours to guarantee the best savings possible.
Leave controls “Off” when not in use
If your hot tub is located outdoors, cold air can push through the jets when not in use. To avoid this, always make sure your controls are in the “Off” position. If cold air gets into the system, more energy will be needed to warm up the equipment to get it ready for your next use.
Economy mode
Check your owner’s manual to see if your hot tub has special settings to help save on energy. These settings are often known as “economy” or “standby” modes. They will leave your hot tub a good 15 degrees cooler than your set temperature, allowing you to keep those hydro bills at their lowest.
Install a fence
Here’s a tip that’s often overlooked by homeowners. Building a special fence or privacy panels around your hot tub can often lead to substantial energy savings. These customized surroundings can break up harsh winds, diverting the cold draft away from your spa.
Invest in a hot tub cover
When your spa is not in use, keep warm air trapped in the system with a hot tub cover. This ultimately means that the equipment’s heating system never has to work in overdrive to maintain a pleasant temperature. Heat is an element that always rises to the top. Water temperatures cool down quite quickly because this heat is constantly escaping through cracks along your spa.
Good hot tub covers are made of a high-form density. Always make sure it is the proper size and accurately covers the entire top of your spa. A good thickness range is about 3 – 6 inches. And with all the available colours out there, finding a cover that fits in with your existing decor shouldn’t be a problem.