The four hidden costs of buying a hot tub – and they could add hundreds to your bills

IT'S no secret that hot tubs are an expensive treat but there are hidden costs to be aware of before you take the plunge.

On top of the upfront expense of buying a hot tub, you also have to think about maintenance and running costs.

With spring on the way, you might be considering buying a pool to glam up your garden.

You might have saved up or spotted a great discount deal, but make sure you calculate how much an at-home jacuzzi will actually cost you.

It's not cheap to fill up or maintain, and can also push up your energy bills.

That's important to consider when electricity prices are sky-high and set to climb further.

Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of home products and services, said: “Having a hot tub in your garden is the ultimate luxury for many but if you're serious about investing in one, choosing the right type and understanding the associated costs is absolutely essential and should not be taken lightly."

We explain the hidden costs of owning a hot tub, as well as some expert tips to reduce your spending.

The upfront price

Obviously you know you'll have to spend money to buy a hot tub - but you might not have to part with as much cash as you think.

You can reduce your costs by comparing prices online and keeping an eye out for deals and sales.

For example, some high street stores such as Argos and The Range sell hot tubs in the summer, and they can be surprisingly cheap.

However, spending more money upfront could save you cash later on.

That's because well insulated tubs are more expensive, but will cost less to run because they're more energy efficient.

A poorly insulated hot tub can cost as much as 10 times more to heat, according to Whatspa.

If you can, visit a showroom to inspect the insulation and talk to staff about energy efficiency.

Filling it with water

Filling your hot tub with water is an essential step, but it's not free.

Energy Helpline estimates that a 3,000 litre hot tub - for around seven people - will cost around £5.25 to fill up each time.

You can keep costs lower by getting the right size hot tub for the number of people who will use it regularly.

That's because it costs more to fill a large tub so there's not point getting an eight person pool if only two of you will be taking a dip.

Heating your hot tub

Energy prices have spiked so it will be more expensive than ever to heat up your tub.

From April 1, it will cost between £2.45 and £3.50 a day to run your jacuzzi.

If you used it every day, it could cost £105 a month or £315 over three months of summer.

However the better insulated it is, the cheaper it should be to run.

If you do struggle with your energy bills when you've got a hot tub, you can turn it off.

You should make sure it's fully drained so there's no water in the pumps or plumbing system, otherwise it could freeze during winter.

According to Whatspa, the idea temperature for a hot tub is between 37 and 39C, but you could set it lower during summer.

Limiting the time you spend in the tub can also reduce energy costs - half an hour should be long enough, Whatspa said.

Repairs and maintenance

Repairing a faulty hot tub can be expensive, with Checkatrade saying it could cost you up to £3,000.

Obviously, the total cost will depend on what the problem is.

You should get your pool serviced on a regular basis which can help keep it in top condition.

This will save you having to fork out for an expensive repair bill later on.

However, a service could still cost you around £210.