Updated 14 July 2026 · Spa Pool News editorial team
Monthly running costs for two otherwise identical hot tubs can differ by as much as three times over — and the deciding factors are mainly insulation, cover quality, placement in the garden, the set temperature, and how disciplined you are about filtration and water chemistry. In Czechia, that works out in practice to a range of roughly 850 Kč (approx. €34) for a well-enclosed tub in mild weather up to 3,900 Kč (approx. €156) for an uncovered hot tub in an open garden during colder months.
This article breaks down the costs of electricity (heating and pump), water, chemicals and servicing, gives a table with three real-world installation scenarios, and sets out concrete steps for cutting your monthly bill without giving up on soaking.
What makes up a hot tub’s monthly bill
Running costs for a hot tub fall into four groups: electricity (the largest item), water, chemicals and servicing. The figures below assume a typical 4–6 person garden hot tub with a quality insulating cover and an electricity price of 6–7 Kč/kWh (approx. €0.24–0.28/kWh) (our calculations use a midpoint of 6.5 Kč/kWh, approx. €0.26/kWh) — these are figures for mild spring and autumn weather; seasonal differences are covered further below.
Electricity: heating the water
Keeping the temperature at 36–38°C is the single most expensive item in the whole operation. For a well-insulated tub with a quality cover, budget on 3–5 kWh/day, i.e. 90–150 kWh a month, which at 6.5 Kč/kWh works out to approx. 600–1,000 Kč (approx. €24–40) a month. Without a cover, or with an old, waterlogged thermal cover, heating consumption easily doubles.
Electricity: pump and filtration
The circulation pump that drives the filtration usually runs for several hours a day in scheduled cycles. Budget on 1–2 kWh/day, i.e. 30–60 kWh a month and approx. 200–400 Kč (approx. €8–16) a month. Larger tubs with a two-speed or more powerful pump may use slightly more.
Electricity: massage jets
The more powerful pump driving the massage jets only runs while you’re soaking. With typical use of 30–45 minutes a day, that’s 0.3–0.6 kWh/day, i.e. 9–18 kWh a month and approx. 60–120 Kč (approx. €2–5) a month — an item most users overlook, but one that adds up for families with heavy use.
Altogether, electricity for a tub with a quality cover comes to 4–7 kWh/day, or roughly 800–1,500 Kč (approx. €32–60) a month. That’s the largest item in the budget, but far from the only one.
Water
A covered tub loses little to evaporation, typically 5–10 litres a day; an uncovered tub exposed to wind can lose 20–30 litres a day. Add to that a proportional share of a full water change, which — with proper chemical maintenance — is needed roughly once every 3–4 months. Altogether, water comes to approx. 100–250 Kč (approx. €4–10) a month.
Chemicals
Disinfection (chlorine, active oxygen or bromine), pH adjustment, occasional algaecide, and cleaning products for the cover and jets make up an ongoing cost of approx. 250–500 Kč (approx. €10–20) a month. For a full water change, add a one-off 300–600 Kč (approx. €12–24) to restart the chemistry.
Servicing and maintenance
The filter cartridge is replaced 2–4 times a year (300–800 Kč/unit, approx. €12–32), and an annual technician service check costs 1,500–3,000 Kč (approx. €60–120). Spread over the months, that’s approx. 150–400 Kč (approx. €6–16) a month — an item worth planning for in advance rather than only when a problem shows up.
All told, a typical garden hot tub with a quality insulating cover in mild weather comes to approx. 1,300–2,700 Kč (approx. €52–108) a month.
Comparing three scenarios: it comes down to cover and placement
The biggest swing in the monthly bill comes from how well the hot tub is protected from the weather. The table compares the three most common situations at the same outdoor temperature (mild spring/autumn weather) and an electricity price of 6–7 Kč/kWh (approx. €0.24–0.28/kWh):
| Scenario | Electricity use (kWh/day) | Electricity (Kč/month) | Total with water, chemicals and service (Kč/month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the garden, no insulating cover | 8–14 kWh | approx. 1,550–2,750 Kč (approx. €62–110) | approx. 2,100–3,900 Kč (approx. €84–156) |
| In the garden, with a quality insulating cover | 4–7 kWh | approx. 800–1,500 Kč (approx. €32–60) | approx. 1,300–2,700 Kč (approx. €52–108) |
| Built-in / enclosed (gazebo, veranda, conservatory) | 2–4 kWh | approx. 400–800 Kč (approx. €16–32) | approx. 850–1,800 Kč (approx. €34–72) |
The difference between the two extreme scenarios is over 2,000 Kč (approx. €80) a month — purely down to whether the hot tub stands in an open garden or under a roof, sheltered from the wind. A quality insulating cover costs a fraction of what it saves over a single season.
Seasonal differences: summer vs. winter
The figures in the table above apply to mild weather around 10–18°C. Actual consumption, however, changes significantly with air temperature:
- Summer: when the outdoor temperature approaches the water temperature, heating does minimal work and the main load shifts to the pump and jets. Total electricity consumption drops to roughly 40–60% of the table figures — for a covered tub, that means as little as 500–900 Kč (approx. €20–36) a month on electricity alone during the hottest months.
- Winter: the gap between the water temperature (36–38°C) and freezing outdoor air multiplies heat losses. For a well-insulated tub with a quality cover, budget on 1.5–2 times the autumn figures; for an uncovered or poorly insulated tub it can be even more. Winter is exactly when an investment in an insulating cover pays back fastest. For a detailed comparison of year-round operation versus full winterisation, including costs and freeze risk, see the article Hot tub in winter: year-round operation or winterising.
How to cut hot tub running costs
You can influence most of the monthly bill without giving up any soaking comfort. The most effective measures, ranked by payback:
- A quality insulating cover. The single most important, fastest-paying-back investment. A waterlogged or cracked thermal cover leaks heat like an open window in winter.
- A floating insulating blanket under the cover. A thin bubble-film layer on the surface cuts both evaporation and heat loss, and costs only a few hundred crowns.
- A sensibly set temperature. Every extra degree noticeably raises consumption. Stick to 36–37°C rather than 39–40°C, and don’t lower the temperature between soaks “to save money” — it costs more to reheat.
- Timing heating outside peak hours. If you’re on a tariff with a cheaper off-peak rate and your tub has a conventional heating element, schedule the main heating cycle for the cheaper hours.
- Filter maintenance. A clogged filter slows circulation, the pump runs longer, and the water is harder to keep warm.
- Placement out of the wind. Wind pulls heat off the surface far faster than still air. A windbreak, fence, or placement under a pergola can noticeably cut consumption.
- A heat pump instead of a heating element. Where the hot tub’s design allows it, a heat pump is significantly more efficient than a resistive heating element.
So how much does a hot tub really cost per month
- A built-in or enclosed tub in mild weather: approx. 850–1,800 Kč (approx. €34–72) a month.
- A garden tub with a quality cover in mild weather: approx. 1,300–2,700 Kč (approx. €52–108) a month, less in summer, more in winter.
- An uncovered garden tub: approx. 2,100–3,900 Kč (approx. €84–156) a month, well above the upper end in winter.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a hot tub really cost per month?
Depending on installation type and season, typical monthly running costs range from around 850 Kč (approx. €34) for an enclosed tub in mild weather up to roughly 3,900 Kč (approx. €156) for an uncovered hot tub in an open garden. The most common figure for a garden tub with a quality cover is 1,300–2,700 Kč (approx. €52–108) a month.
How much does it cost to heat a hot tub with electricity?
For a well-insulated tub with a quality cover, heating works out to 3–5 kWh a day, i.e. approx. 600–1,000 Kč (approx. €24–40) a month at an electricity price of 6–7 Kč/kWh. Without a cover, or with an old thermal cover, heating consumption easily doubles.
What’s the difference between a hot tub with a cover and without one?
The difference in total monthly costs between an uncovered tub and one with a quality insulating cover exceeds 2,000 Kč (approx. €80) a month.
How much more expensive is winter operation than summer?
In summer, electricity use drops to 40–60% of the mild-weather figures. In winter, it rises to 1.5–2 times those figures even for a well-insulated tub.
What cuts hot tub running costs the most?
The most effective step is a quality insulating cover, combined with a sensibly set temperature (36–37°C) and placement out of the wind.
Is a heat pump worth it instead of a conventional heating element?
Yes, if you use the hot tub regularly and year-round. The higher purchase price pays back within a few seasons for an actively used tub.
How much do chemicals for a hot tub cost per month?
Ongoing disinfection, pH adjustment and occasional algaecide come to approx. 250–500 Kč (approx. €10–20) a month.
How often should hot tub water be changed, and what does it cost?
With proper chemical maintenance, a full water change is needed only about once every 3–4 months. Combined with evaporation, the water item averages approx. 100–250 Kč (approx. €4–10) a month.
Not sure about choosing or servicing?
Exact figures always depend on the specific model, placement and your bathing habits. If you’d like your hot tub’s running costs assessed, or you’re looking for a company for servicing, an insulating cover, or winterising, submit a request and compare offers from vetted companies, or browse the company directory in your region directly.
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