How Noisy is a Hot Tub?

I ‘ve been recently reading about a number of issues caused by the noise that hot tubs make. Noise complaints seem to be becoming increasingly commonly reported so I thought I would find out exactly how loud hot tubs really are.

So, how noisy is a hot tub? Hot tubs give out between 41 decibels and 67.4 decibels depending on the make and setting they are on. Some are marketed as being silent but they will still make water bubbling noises. Often, the people using the hot tub can be quite loud and this can cause problems.

Is your hot tub a noise problem? Do your neighbours secretly hate your hot tub!!?? Read on to find out.

What actually makes a hot tub noisy?

There are three main types of noise that’s associated with hot tubs.

• Firstly, the mechanical sound of the hot tub. All hot tubs have to have a pump to keep the water moving around and to power the jets. Inevitably with moving mechanical parts, there will be some noise that goes along with it.

Sometimes this noise can be amplified if there is some vibration or reverberation due to where the hot tub is located. If your hot tub is placed on or is in contact with decking, for example, any vibration from the hot tub can be amplified through the wood. It almost acts like a drum and this can create a low droning humming noise.

• The sound of the water moving and bubbling. Again this is a constant sound when the hot tub is on. It should be a relaxing and soothing sound and not too invasive. After all people love to have moving water in their gardens as the trickling sound is so pleasing. A hot tub is similar!

Again, the amount of sound output will vary according to what setting you have the pump on.

• The noise made by people in the hot tub! You will probably need to talk a little louder than usual to be heard when you are in the hot tub. Also, inevitably people laugh and joke more when they are in a relaxed mood. Using the hot tub is often a social activity and, for some neighbors, the extra amount of noise can become an issue.

Will my hot tub become a noise problem?

I found a study where the noise output of a number of different hot tubs was scientifically recorded and compared using a decibel meter. Of the hot tubs tested the least noisy, on it’s quietest setting made 41 decibels of noise. The loudest hot tub on it’s most active and noisy setting came in at 67.4 decibels.

To put this in context a very quiet library will register at about 30 decibels. Normal conversation is about 60 decibels. Heavy city traffic can be about 80 decibels. Sandblasting or a jet taking off is around 100 decibels.

I’m surprised that normal conversation is 60 decibels. I would have thought that it would be less than this and that a hot tub would be louder. However, the issue lies in the fact that conversation ebbs and flows and has peaks and troughs. The issue with the noise from a hot tub is that it is at a constant an relentless level.

It was also interesting to note in the study that there was a big difference in noise output between different makes of hot tub in identical modes or settings. On the lowest, or standby setting the quietest hot tub on test was 40 decibels whilst the loudest was 52.1 decibels. At the highest setting, with all pumps on, the quietest was 58.1 decibels and the noisiest 67.4 decibels.

Clearly not all hot tubs are made equal in the noise stakes and you do get what you pay for. It’s always worth trying to see the hot tub in action before you buy it so that you can see, or hear for yourself how much sound it actually makes.

Will hot tub noise be a problem for me?

This really depends upon a number of factors. Potentially it cause problems with your neighbors if the hot tub is positioned near to their house. You could also find that the noise is annoying if you can hear it all the time.

It comes down to the location of the hot tub. If you have a tiny space and your neighbors are just the other side of the fence then potentially it could be an issue. Maybe a portable and less permanent inflatable hot tub might be the solution. (If you are keen on getting an inflatable then this one here on Amazon is one of the most popular models.) But, if you have the space or you are a reasonable distance from neighbors then you are unlikely to cause a problem. It all really just comes down to common sense and consideration.

What’s that hot tub noise?

• Squealing noises. This type of noise is likely to be a pump noise and most probably indicates that the bearings on the pump are worn out. After many years of running the bearings basically disintegrate and this can cause a horrific screeching noise. This page here will give you an idea about new pumps and the best prices.
• Humming noises. humming noises are usually caused by vibration. If something is vibrating it means that it is moving so make sure that all bolts that hold the pumps are tight. This pump mounting mat kit on Amazon should also do a good job of reducing vibration. It’s also worth considering standing the hot tub on thick shock absorbing rubber mats to soak up any movement.
• Buzzing sounds. These can be more problematic as they could be a combination of squealing or humming or vibrating!

How can I reduce the noise from my hot tub?

To a certain extent, prevention is better than cure and you will find, to a certain degree, that the better quality hot tub you buy in the first place the quieter it will be. There’s nothing like actually seeing the hot tub in action before you purchase to put your mind at rest.

Secondly, you need to look carefully at the placement and foundations of the hot tub. Avoid contact with decking or wooden structures if possible as these will amplify vibrations. The hot tub should rest on a sold and firm base, this will reduce the transfer of a lot of the noise.

Once your hot tub is in position check for any unwanted movement and vibrations. Dampen any trouble spots with thick rubber and make sure that all bolts and connections are tight and movement free. If you are in any doubt about the security of any parts of your hot tub or you think that it is being noisy because of a fault then it would be a wise move to call in a specialist to take a look.

You can also reduce how much noise from your hot tub actually travels by careful screening of the hot tub. This has the added advantage of adding privacy and will also hopefully act as a windbreak too. The screen could simply be a fence or wall but trees, hedges, and shrubs all do a good job of screening and soaking up noise as well.

 Do I need planning permission for a hot tub?

Generally, you do not need planning permission to put a hot tub in your own garden. There may be exceptions to this if you live in a listed building or in a conservation area but you are likely to be aware of this if you do!

If you plan to house your hot tub in a new building in your garden you may need planning permission for that. This varies from area to area and often depends upon the size of the footprint of the building, it’s height and construction materials.

There’s no real reason why the noise from your hot tub should be a problem. Assuming that you have a reasonably sized garden and that the hot tub is situated away from your neighbors, is screened and correctly installed you should have many happy years of peacful hot tub enjoyment ahead!

Related questions

Does keeping the cover on a hot tub reduce the noise? A lot of the noise from a hot tub is water bubbling and flowing noise and this is greatly reduced when the cover is on. However, mechanical noise from the pumps will still be the same. Some more expensive models are advertised as being near silent in terms of mechanical noise output.

If my neighbor complains about noise what should I do? This can be a stressful situation to be in but the first thing is to listen to their point of view calmly and try to reach an amicable solution. It might be that you can agree not to use the hot tub after a certain hour or put some noise reducing barrier up. If you cannot reach an amicable solution then most local authorities will have noise control officers that can be called to take noise measurements to see if the noise really is unreasonable or not.  This will at least allow you to know factually whether it is you or your neighbor who is being unreasonable.

Andrew Hind

This post was created by Andrew. Enjoyer of hot tub soaking, fine cheese, music and photography.