All unit costs and calculations correct at the time of publication.
Many of us will be enjoying the warm weather outdoors in our gardens this summer, and for those lucky enough to own one, relaxing in a hot tub is a welcome treat on a sunny day. But did you know, this could be racking up an extra £300 per month on your energy bill!
With the high cost of living at the moment and another huge rise in energy costs this October when the price cap increases again, understanding the running costs of your things has never been more important. Some things could be adding a lot more to your bill than you might be expecting.
Garden energy-wasters
Energy efficiency isn’t just about the things you use inside your home - it’s important to consider how much some of your outdoor equipment could be adding to your energy bills too!
Our research found that hot tubs are one of the worst garden culprits for adding to energy bills. Even the most energy-efficient tubs cost £60 per month to run – that's 60% higher than in Summer 2020 when many of these were bought over lockdown.
However, the biggest risks are for those households who buy cheap hot tubs. Due to poor insulation, these could easily cost five times that amount to run. The problem is that you may not even know what it’s costing you until your bill arrives.
So, how do you keep tabs on your hot tub running costs? Try Loop!
Loop is a free energy-saving app that links to your smart meter, analyses your energy use and shows you easy ways to save. On average, Loop users cut their energy use by 10%!
Track your usage over hours, days, weeks, months and years, so you know exactly how much you’re using and what it’s costing you. If you measure it, you can control it!
4 Easy ways to keep hot tub energy costs down
- Reduce your thermostat by a couple of degrees to help save money but still maintain comfortable water temperature.
- Cover the hot tub with a thermal cover when not in use to keep the heat in.
- Think about where you position your hot tub. Keeping it away from wind and breezes, which would cool the water, will help maintain a warmer temperature.
- For long-term hot-tub converts, installing solar panels might be worth considering as a permanent way to cut your energy bills. The financial benefits have never been better, with 30% reduce payback period on solar since April’s price cap increase and solar installations now benefit from zero VAT. Try Loop’s unique solar simulator to see how solar would work for you, with accurate savings and self-sufficiency calculations.
• • •
With Loop, you can find out how you use electricity, then make smart decisions about using less.
Got a smart meter? Great news! Link the Loop app and enjoy full access to all Loop benefits for free, no purchase required.
Subscribe to our regular newsletter below to become part of the Loop community, and receive regular updates to help you make smart decisions about using less energy.