Cost of operating a hot tub? (Kenai: how much, month to, live)

[snozz]

I am trying to make a comparision between electric and gas heated hot tubs. I have heard from one Softub owner that they thought it cost them about a dollar a day in electricity. Anyone else?

[Chilkoot]

That's about what ours ran for an outside hot tub. Closer to $50/month during the cold parts of the winter. We did see a little decrease when we converted it to 220 volt.

[snozz]

Thanks Chilkoot, is that for a softub or another brand of electric?
And, yes, I am talking about outside tubs.

[Bob Blockus]

Well if its $50 each month for Hot tub, Alaska. it would be very worth the month to month expense. think of the enjoyment it will bring when one is tired of Harsh Cold winters or average summers with nothing to do. go get inside a Hot tub spa every few hours. maybe learn how to save on electric or gas heat with better hot tub covers and turn down the heat when not in use for long periods of time. then be about $30 each month.

[Chilkoot]

Originally Posted by snozz

Thanks Chilkoot, is that for a softub or another brand of electric?
And, yes, I am talking about outside tubs.

It was a 6 person Caldera hot tub.

As Bob mentioned, it has provided some of the most incredible experiences. There were a few times that we got some very nice Northern Light activity in Kenai, where we lived at the time. My favorite was when it was about 20 below zero and the lights were circling and dancing above while sitting back and enjoying the show from the hot tub.

[tobyharvey]

Gas heated hot bath is best always .

[Music_Man]

Neighbor had one, keep the cover on it or the moose [at least the city moose will]will be drinking out of it.

[LGR_NYR]

Originally Posted by snozz

I am trying to make a comparision between electric and gas heated hot tubs. I have heard from one Softub owner that they thought it cost them about a dollar a day in electricity. Anyone else?

I have a watkins/lifespa 110v electric spa. I keep it set at the highest it will go at 104*. Depending on how cold it get's outside it's costing about $40 a month to run.

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by tobyharvey

Gas heated hot bath is best always .

We have a small cedar tub with a Chofu gas heater. The drawback of this system is that the heater must contain a small reservoir of water that's inline with the tub water. So, in very cold weather it could potentially freeze and rupture overnight, ruining the thing.

Fortunately, we rarely get extreme cold in SE, so this is usually not a concern. However, I wouldn't choose this system for interior Alaska. Perhaps it'd be possible to isolate the tank with valves and drain it daily.

We use the tub in an on demand basis only. I can't imagine how much it would cost to keep it hot all the time. 100 gallon tank of propane is filled about 1 1/2 times a year. So, it may be more expensive than electric, depending on your local rates.

[pittsflyer]

We have a 220V hot tub and we will soon find out once its serviced and turned on. I dont expect it to be cheap. I wonder if I can put a meter just on the hot tub circuit?