How much does it cost to run an inflatable hot tub?
An inflatable hot tub costs about 13¢ per hour, $3.02 a day, $91.99 a month and $552 a year at typical use (24 hours a day for 6 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Inflatable tubs run on 120 V with a 1.3-2.2 kW heater and poorly insulated walls, so they cost more per gallon to keep hot than a hard-shell spa.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.70 | 13¢ | $3.83 | $46 |
| 2 hours | 1.40 | 25¢ | $7.67 | $92 |
| 4 hours | 2.80 | 50¢ | $15.33 | $184 |
| 8 hours | 5.60 | $1.01 | $30.66 | $368 |
| 12 hours | 8.40 | $1.51 | $46.00 | $552 |
| 24 hours | 16.80 | $3.02 | $91.99 | $1,104 |
Cost to run an inflatable hot tub in every state
The same inflatable hot tub costs $378 a year in North Dakota and $1,335 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 8.6¢ | $63.00 | $378 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 8.9¢ | $64.69 | $388 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 9.0¢ | $65.76 | $395 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 9.1¢ | $66.42 | $399 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 9.3¢ | $68.11 | $409 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 9.4¢ | $68.32 | $410 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 9.4¢ | $68.67 | $412 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 9.5¢ | $69.34 | $416 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 9.6¢ | $70.05 | $420 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 9.7¢ | $70.77 | $425 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 9.7¢ | $71.18 | $427 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 9.8¢ | $71.33 | $428 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 9.8¢ | $71.64 | $430 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 9.9¢ | $72.20 | $433 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 9.9¢ | $72.25 | $434 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 9.9¢ | $72.61 | $436 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 10¢ | $75.53 | $453 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 10¢ | $75.53 | $453 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 11¢ | $77.16 | $463 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 11¢ | $77.32 | $464 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 11¢ | $78.34 | $470 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 11¢ | $78.70 | $472 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 11¢ | $78.75 | $472 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 11¢ | $79.16 | $475 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 11¢ | $79.26 | $476 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 11¢ | $79.98 | $480 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 11¢ | $81.61 | $490 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 11¢ | $82.94 | $498 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 12¢ | $84.07 | $504 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 12¢ | $84.27 | $506 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 12¢ | $84.78 | $509 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 12¢ | $86.62 | $520 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 12¢ | $90.97 | $546 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 13¢ | $93.32 | $560 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 13¢ | $95.83 | $575 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 13¢ | $96.08 | $576 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 14¢ | $106 | $635 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 15¢ | $108 | $645 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 15¢ | $108 | $646 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 17¢ | $122 | $730 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 17¢ | $122 | $730 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 17¢ | $124 | $742 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 19¢ | $136 | $818 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 19¢ | $137 | $824 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 20¢ | $143 | $859 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 20¢ | $145 | $871 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 20¢ | $150 | $898 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 21¢ | $150 | $899 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 21¢ | $156 | $934 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 23¢ | $169 | $1,012 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 30¢ | $222 | $1,335 |
How to cut the cost
- Use an insulated ground mat under the tub; the floor loses the most heat.
- Keep the cover on and strapped at all times when not in use.
- Turn the heater off when not used for several days, and refill in warm weather only.
- Run filtration on off-peak hours.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Cuts heat loss into the ground.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflatable hot tub | 2,000 | 24 hours a day for 6 months a year | $91.99 | $552 |
| Hot tub | 4,000 | 3,000 kWh a year | $44.97 | $540 |
| Pool pump (single-speed) | 1,700 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $74.47 | $372 |
| Pool heat pump | 5,500 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $145 | $723 |
| Variable-speed pool pump | 350 | 12 hours a day for 5 months a year | $23.00 | $115 |
| Robotic pool cleaner | 180 | 2.5 hours a day, 3 days a week for 5 months a year | $1.06 | $5 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an inflatable hot tub per hour?
An inflatable hot tub drawing 2,000 watts uses 0.70 kWh per hour while running (35% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 13¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 8.6¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 30¢.
How much does it cost to run an inflatable hot tub per month?
At typical use (24 hours a day for 6 months a year), an inflatable hot tub costs about $91.99 a month while in use and $552 a year over the 6 months it's typically used, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does an inflatable hot tub use?
Most inflatable hot tubs use 1,300 to 2,300 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an inflatable hot tub use?
About 16.80 kWh a day and 3,068 kWh a year at typical use (24 hours a day for 6 months a year).
Does an inflatable hot tub use a lot of electricity?
Yes. At 3,068 kWh a year it's one of the bigger loads in a home, about 29% of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh a year.
Is it cheaper to run an inflatable hot tub or a hot tub?
At typical use, an inflatable hot tub costs about $552 a year versus $540 for a hot tub. So the hot tub is cheaper by about $12 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an inflatable hot tub?
- Use an insulated ground mat under the tub; the floor loses the most heat.
- Keep the cover on and strapped at all times when not in use.
- Turn the heater off when not used for several days, and refill in warm weather only.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.