How much does a swim spa cost to run each month?

How much does a swim spa cost to run each month?  

So you know what a swim spa costs. You've thought it over, and there’s just one nagging concern before you purchase your swim spa.   “What’s this swim spa going to cost me after I buy it?”   This is a reasonable long-term question and one we get all the time at Hydropool. Your swim spa monthly cost is one you want to know the answer to before you buy, without question. The last thing you’d want is to buy something that is a burden to afford post-purchase.   So what is the monthly cost of a swim spa? In Canada, we estimate that cost in 2023 to be just over $100 a month. That includes your chemicals, your water costs as well as your heating and energy costs. So everything we could think of!   This is an average, our best estimation of everything included. We want to give you the most complete answer we can on swim spas' monthly cost. So we will further break down what we included, so you can see for yourself how we got the number.  

We will look at the following running costs of a swim spa: 

• Energy costs for swim spas 
• Sanitization costs for swim spas 
• Water costs for swim spas 
• Repair costs for swim spas 

By the end, we hope you’ll have a good sense of how much it costs to maintain your swim spa.  

How much power does a swim spa use? 

No one wants high energy bills. A mid-range, energy-efficient swim spa can consume up to 4,000-5,000 watts or more of energy. This amount depends on how often it's used and the settings you have chosen for it. It goes a long way to determining how much swim spas cost per month.

Keeping your swim spa heated, filtering the water and running the jets will add to your energy bill. With a swim spa we generally estimate that cost to be about $60 a month or $2 a day.  

What factors into the running costs of a swim spa?  

There’s a wide variety of factors. How often you use it is a major factor in saving money but not the only one:  

• Where you live and the temperatures there
• How the swim spa is built and especially how it is insulated
• How often you use the swim spa and for how long. These two elements are the most significant in determining ongoing costs. As with your washing machine or driving car, the more you use it, the more it costs.   
• Whether you need to run the heat all summer in your swim spa or can turn it down
• How often the cover is off the swim spa in any season, and the quality of that cover
• What size the swim spa is and the power accessories that go with it
• Your local power costs

How often do you need to clean a swim spa and what does it cost?  

Chemicals are needed to maintain the water quality of your swim spa. You will need to test your water regularly and add chemicals such as chlorine or bromine to keep it sanitized. Testing strips or a digital testing kit can cost between $10 to $30. Chemical varies between $10 to $50 per month, depending on the size and how much you use your swim spa.

What can I do to reduce chemical usage in my swim spa?  

This is a common question we get about our filtration systems. The best option here is to buy a swim spa with what’s called an AOP system. AOP stands for Advanced Oxidization Process.

Most companies that sell swim spas offer this at least as an option.

At Hydropool our Pure Water AOP system is standard on all swim spas except the 13FFP.  

AOP systems use UV and ozone to proactively kill bacteria off before it can develop into something worse. Similar systems are used to create our drinking water.  

How much are my water costs in a swim spa?  

Depending on the frequency of use, you may need to refill your swim spa every few months. The cost of water will vary depending on your location and the cost of water in your area.

On average, filling up a swim spa can cost between $50 to $100 each time. At Hydropool, we recommend changing the swim spa water quarterly.  

Why do I need to maintain my swim spa so often?  

Maintenance costs for your swim spa are helpful to keep it functioning correctly and prolong its lifespan. It's important to clean the filter regularly, check the pH levels of your water, and ensure the water is clean and free from any debris or particles.

You can hire a professional to maintain your swim spa or do it yourself. The cost of professional maintenance can vary, and may not be possible, depending on where you live. But expect to pay at least $100 to $200 per month if it is.  

If you decide to maintain your swim spa yourself, you may want to buy cleaning tools, such as brushes and skimmers. These can cost between $50 to $100 or more as a one-time purchase.

Remember that everything loves warm water, not just you. When people get in the tub, chemicals like deodorant, perfume, and hairspray can get washed off bodies and into the tub.

Organic matter such as dirt, leaves and bugs also can end up in there when the top is off. Algae is a plant that can grow in your tub, and fungi such as mold or mildew will also thrive in warm water conditions. All this stuff needs to get out of your spa.

What is the average repair cost? 

Like any other appliance, swim spas can break down or malfunction. Some of the common issues that arise with swim spas include pump failure, leaks, and electrical issues. The cost of repair will depend on the severity of the issue and the parts and labor required to fix it. Repair rates are generally around $150 an hour but may vary depending on your location and your warranty.  

How much do swim spas cost to buy? 

We tackle that in another article that you can read here. So you can understand the total cost of buying a swim spa and price ranges, we go over:

• swim spa prices
• your electrical costs
• need for a concrete pad/installation costs
• delivery

How much does it cost my swim spa to run?  

Like a car, a swim spa will have ongoing costs that should be factored into any budget you make.   

We have people ask us all the time how much a swim spa costs a month. So we wanted to break it down for you. On average in Canada in 2023, you can expect to pay just over $100 a month to maintain your swim spa.

This amount is an average. We’d encourage you to contact a local dealer to find out the likely cost in your specific area.  

 

• Want to learn more about Hydropool’s swim spas? Click here.
• Have a look at some of the best swim spas you can buy. Click here
• Have questions for a dealer? Click here to find your local retailer