In Australia, hot tubs typically range from around $6,000 for a basic model to $25,000 or even more for a premium, fully insulated hot tub. The sticker price is only part of the cost. Running costs, water, chemicals, maintenance and resale value all shape what you pay across the life of the machine. An efficient hot tub runs from about $1 a day, while a cheap, under-insulated one can cost up to $5 a day.
The actual price you pay for your spa pool extends far beyond the upfront investment. Other considerations must be made; important factors such as running costs, ongoing maintenance and future trade-in value will have a huge impact on the total price of your spa pool over the course of its life.
The reality is that choosing a spa pool solely on the upfront cost can be one of the most expensive decisions you’ll ever make. On the flipside, a spa pool that seems like a significant upfront investment could prove incredible value when spread over years, perhaps even decades, of use.
In this article we’ll be looking at the key considerations you should be making to ensure you get true value from your spa pool purchase – a machine that will cost less in the long run, while delivering an incredible soaking and ownership experience.
What should I know before buying a spa?
The most important thing to understand about your hot tub purchase is that the sticker price tells the story of just a small part of the broader hot tub ownership experience.
As Australasia's longest and largest hot tub retailer, Hot Spring Spas have seen many spa brands come and go over the decades. We have met many spa owners from all walks of life and feel obligated to share our knowledge in helping new customers to buy with confidence and avoid possible buyer mistakes.
Let's say you're trying to weigh up the options between two hot tub brands.
Option one
This spa appears to be quite a cost-effective choice at around $6,000 AUD. However the distributor is new and not that well known, the feature list is somewhat lacking and you can tell that the build quality isn’t as good as option two.
Option two
This spa costs around $20,000 AUD. While the upfront price is more, and it is a similar sized spa pool as option one, it comes from an established manufacturer, offers more spacious seating configurations, full foam insulation, higher specs and seemingly superior build quality.
Many consumers would understandably lean towards option one, reasoning that the apparently slight differences offered by option two don’t justify a tripling in price. But consider this:
- Option one isn’t well insulated and spa components are sourced based on lower price point. To heat the spa it requires a much larger heater, a blower and will on average cost a lot more to run per month.
- Option one is more likely to break down and replacement spa parts are only limited to 12 months as stipulated in its warranty (which also excludes labour.) So, should something go wrong during the lifetime of this spa, the spa owner may be without important spa parts, or worse, be forced to replace the entire spa.
- Comparatively lacking in smart technology, option one requires more maintenance than option two. Time is money and by choosing solely on a low price point you’ll have less time and less money.
- Even with proper upkeep, the lower build quality of option one means that it isn’t expected to last as long. In the end you may end up with two spas when you could have bought one.
- Option one depreciates far faster than option two. After five years it isn’t worth much, while the resale value of option two remains much higher.
In short, while option one may cost less upfront, it ends up being far more expensive in the long run. A spa pool has more in common with a car than a household appliance – it’s a long-term investment, not a one-off purchase.
Key takeaways
- A cheaper hot tub often costs more over its life through higher power, water and repair bills.
- A well-insulated premium hot tub can use around 50% less electricity than a budget model.
- A hot tub is a long-term investment, closer to a car than a household appliance.
How do you read electricity units on a hot tub?
Household electricity is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). This is the amount of electricity a 1000W or 1kW appliance uses in an hour. Microwaves and irons are examples of (approximately) 1kW appliances.
The 'average' hot tub (if there is such a thing) pulls around 5000W of electricity between the heater and pumps, so using such a hot tub for an hour would add 5kWh on your electricity bill. Larger hot tubs tend to use more, smaller hot tubs tend to use less.
What are the key costs of owning a hot tub?
What costs should you be keeping in mind when purchasing a spa pool? There are four main considerations that contribute to the total lifetime cost of a spa:
1. The upfront investment
This is an important factor, sure, not least for the fact that it will be the largest amount you spend in one hit. But it’s important to understand that the sticker price is far from the be all and end all. In fact, a lot of the time a lower sticker price should set off alarm bells, as this tends to equate to higher costs in the long run, as we see below.
2. The running costs
How will your water bill and power bill be affected by your choice of spa pool? How much will you be spending on spa maintenance products to keep your water clean and sanitised? The answers to these questions will be found in the quality and technology of your spa.
- Water use: Some spa pools need to be drained and refilled every 6-8 weeks, others just once a year due to smart innovative technology. With large spa pools holding as much as 2000 litres of water, this can turn out to be a huge cost if you make the wrong choice.
- Energy efficiency: High quality insulation makes all the difference in spa pool efficiency, and cheaper spas tend to fall down in this area, meaning you’re destined to face far higher power bills. The quality of the internal machinery will also have an impact on energy efficiency.
- Water care: Cheaper spa pools tend to be heavily reliant on chemicals to keep their water clear and clean. Higher quality spa pools trade endless chemicals for smart technology, such as the Hot Spring Freshwater Salt System.
3. The ongoing maintenance
Your spa pool will eventually require more than just a dash of chlorine. Over the years you’ll need to service your machine and replace parts from time to time. High quality spa pool brands usually offer equally high quality service, and as they design their spa pools to last, they will offer all the spare parts you might need. The same often can’t be said for brands that offer cheap and cheerful spa pools.
4. The hot tub trade-in value in 10 years
If a brand has proven its ability to make quality products, like Apple and Toyota, they tend to hold their value, as consumers have more confidence in purchasing it as a second-hand item. So, what will the resale value of your spa pool choice be in five years, ten years, or whenever you might be looking to upgrade?
In short, the upfront cost is often a red herring. In the world of spa pools, the distraction of short-term financial gains will often result in long-term financial pain. Smart spa pool buyers will take a more holistic view, seeing a spa pool as an investment spread over the life of the machine, rather than a simple one-off purchase.
What does it cost to install a hot tub?
Installation cost depends on the model and your site. Entry-level Plug-N-Play hot tubs in the Freeflow range simply position, fill and plug into a standard outlet, so they need no electrician. Larger, more powerful spas draw more than a standard outlet delivers, so they require a registered electrician to wire them in.
Access matters too, and tricky placements may need a crane or hiab. Hot Spring includes delivery and installation, offers a free on-site consultation to find the best spot, and can crane your spa into place, so there are fewer surprise costs on the day.
What factors affect your hot tub electricity usage?
Hot tub electricity usage is affected by a few different factors, including;
- The size of the hot tub - The larger the hot tub, the more water there is to heat and the more jets there are to power. The size of your spa will therefore be a key factor in how much electricity you use.
- Frequency of use - The more you use your spa, particularly the hydromassage jets, the more electricity you will use. This fact shouldn't impact the time you spend in your spa however, as a regular soak can deliver proven health and wellness benefits. If you choose a high quality hot tub, it will keep its water at an ideal temperature all year round while using minimal power, so it will always be ready for a soak.
- Pumps and circulation systems - The quality of the componentry in your hot tub will be a defining factor. Our SilentFlo 5000 technology is a prime example. This circulation system keeps water moving around your spa while using less energy than a 40W light bulb!
- Heating method - How your hot tub heats the water can have a significant effect on your power usage. Most spas feature standard heating elements, but at Hot Spring we offer a couple of clever technologies designed to bring heating costs down:
- Heat pump technology: The same concept as a reverse cycle air conditioner, heat pumps warm hot tub water far more efficiently than standard heating elements (and can even cool your water down!)
- Hot air induction: This proprietary Hot Spring technology sees the internal heat of the hot tub recycled back into the water via the jets, reducing the amount of work the heater needs to do.
- Insulation - This forms the single most important factor in answering that question. The better the insulation, the more heat is retained, and the less work the heater has to do.
- Location - To a lesser extent, where you live also plays a key role in understanding how much your hot tub will cost to run. In a relatively mild climate such as Sydney, running a premium hot tub every other day could cost you around $55 a month in summer or about $90 a month in winter. A name-brand spa such as Hot Spring could use almost 50% less electricity in the same time, whereas a budget spa might use 20-30% more electricity – costing you more in the long run.
Key takeaways
- An efficient Hot Spring runs from about $1 a day; a cheap spa can reach $5 a day.
- In Sydney, a premium hot tub used every other day costs around $55 a month in summer and $90 in winter.
- Your power provider and local climate are the two biggest running-cost variables.
Frequently asked questions on hot tub pricing
Do I need an electrician to install a hot tub?
Entry-level Plug-N-Play models plug into a standard outlet and need no electrician. Larger, higher-powered spas draw more current and must be wired in by a registered electrician.
Can I finance a hot tub in Australia?
Yes, Hot Spring offers flexible finance with predictable monthly payments through Finance Now. Finance can make a more efficient, longer-lasting hot tub affordable without paying the full price upfront.
What is the cheapest Hot Spring hot tub?
The entry point is the Freeflow range, which uses Plug-N-Play technology for the simplest setup. It is the most affordable way into Hot Spring ownership while keeping running costs low.
Are hot tubs worth the money?
A quality hot tub delivers daily wellness and relaxation, and spread over years of use its cost per soak is low. Choosing an efficient, durable model is what turns the purchase into good long-term value.
Does hot tub delivery cost extra?
Hot Spring includes delivery and installation and provides a free on-site consultation. Most other brands sell from the showroom floor and leave transport and installation to you.
Why is Hot Spring the best-value hot tub?
At Hot Spring we pride ourselves on offering spa pools that are wise long-term investments. By placing quality and innovation at the centre of everything we do, we create spa pools that deliver the finest soaking and ownership experiences possible, and as a consequence of this commitment, we also lower the ongoing costs and increase the resale value of our machines.
Why choose Hot Spring?
- We create the most energy efficient spa pools in Australia, which cost as little as $1 a day to run.
- You get a long-term service commitment. We still offer spare parts for spas that are over two decades old – which no other spa brand does – and continually service all our spas, no matter their age.
- We offer parts for 20-year-old machines because unlike other brands, Hot Spring spa pools can actually last that long! This also means that our spas enjoy unmatched resale value – we’re a brand that Aussies trust.
- Some Hot Spring spa models, like those fitted with the Freshwater Salt System, only need to be drained, cleaned and refilled once a year. Cheaper machines, meanwhile, need to be drained, refilled and cleaned 6-8 times a year, which means more water, more chemicals, more work and more money.
Ready to find out why more and more Aussies are choosing Hot Spring? Head to your local dealer today, or book in a test soak!
