My Hot Tub Won’t Stop Running. What Should I do?

A few years ago I invested in a hot tub for my back garden. However, recently, I discovered a problem. When I went out to use it one morning, I found that the pump wouldn’t stop running. I was confused about why this was happening and wondered whether there was something I should do to rectify the issue.

So, my hot tub won’t stop running. What should I do? Some hot tubs are designed to run all the time but if yours isn’t and it is constantly running the heating element could have burnt out, it could also be a faulty timer, a stuck relay or other electronic problem causing the constant running.

Should My Hot Tub Constantly Run?

Often, hot tubs are located on patios or in gardens and, when the cover is off ,they are exposed to the elements. Rain can get in, dirt and dust blows into the water and that’s not to mention all of the dirt and grime that hot tub bathers carry with them and deposit in the water as well.

So, hot tubs are almost constantly bombarded with contaminants and this is why modern spas feature circulation pumps. These pumps run so that the water won’t stagnate and thus, become a breeding ground for bacteria.

Moving the water ensures that the tub remains clean and algae-free in the long-term. The water moves through the hot tub filters and this helps trap any particles which may be found in the water while also ensuring that bromine, chlorine and other sanitising products are properly distributed and that the water chemistry is appropriately balanced.

With this in mind, in a lot of cases, spa pumps are actually designed to run continuously. A lot of hot tubs that have been manufactured in recent years have been built with circulation pumps which are made to run 24 hours a day. These pumps filter the water constantly and keep it moving past the water heater so the water temperature will remain stable. You may even barely notice that the pump is running all the time as they are designed to be quiet running and to only move a little water.

However, should this pump become unbalanced, or should its bearings become deteriorated because of a leak, it could become suddenly noticeable and noisy. This problem would require attention from a hot tub professional since it would need repairing or replacing before it suffers a complete breakdown.

So, if you have a more modern hot tub and it is running continuously and it sounds quiet and ok, the chances are that it is supposed to be doing this and you have nothing to worry about.

Older hot tubs often operate on either an Automatic Mode or Timer Mode. For spas with analogue timers, the pins must be either set to off or on for the selected time periods. On the other hand, spas with Automatic Modes are usually controlled by the hot tub’s thermostat which automatically switches the pump off whenever the chosen temperature has been reached. Some tubs with Automatic Mode may have a pump that runs continuously at a low speed in which case, it’s completely normal for the hot tub to be running all the time.

So again, even an older hot tub, particularly if it is in automatic mode, may well be designed to run all the time or for selected periods of time according to the timer. So, if your hot tub sounds OK and hasn’t suddenly started running continuously after only running periodically then it is probably fine. In other cases, however, a constantly running hot tub is an indicator of a problem that needs to be addressed and rectified as quickly as possible.

What Could Cause A Hot Tub To Constantly Run?

If your hot tub is not designed to have a constantly operating circulation pump but it is still continuously running, there are several reasons why this problem could have occurred.

Firstly, the heating element of the hot tub may have burned out. This causes the spa’s pump to run all the time. Other potential issues include a faulty timer or a stuck relay on the printed circuit board. Some hot tubs have different filtration settings. If these are set to constant, the pump will run all the time.

If you suspect that any of these issues could be the problem with your tub, you may wish to seek advice from a professional hot tub electrician.

How Can I Fix A Constantly Running Hot Tub?

As has already been pointed out, some hot tubs are designed to run constantly, so no fix is needed in such cases. Nevertheless, if your hot tub is not supposed to be running all the time but it is, there may be a number of potential fixes.

One potential problem could be the tub’s thermostat timer. If the timer is faulty or incorrectly set, the tub may continue to run all the time. An incorrectly set timer can easily be rectified, but a faulty timer will need to be replaced or repaired by a hot tub professional.

Another possibility is that the heating element of the hot tub has burned out. This, too, will cause the pump to run constantly. You can test this by turning down the thermostat to either a low setting or off completely to determine whether the pump will turn off.

A third possibility is that there is a fault in the hot tub’s circuit board. Again, this is something that will require a professional hot tub engineer to rectify. You shouldn’t try to adjust the electrical components of your hot tub yourself since they are complex and could easily be damaged. You could also end up with an electric shock.

Is It Safe To Allow My Hot Tub To Run Constantly?

Stagnant water attracts bugs and mosquitoes and it also breeds bacteria. If the water in your hot tub becomes stagnant it won’t just look and smell terrible, but it can also be harmful for bathers to use. Therefore, it’s vital to ensure the water in your spa is able to move sufficiently throughout the day.

Although you use bromine or chlorine to sanitise your spa and to keep the bacteria from growing even if the pump hasn’t been switched on, the pump has an important role to play. It circulates all the sanitising chemicals so that they can be distributed evenly through the water. This ensures maximum safety for you and other bathers whenever you use the tub.

Allowing your hot tub to run for extended periods also means you don’t have to wait a long time for the tub’s water to heat up ready for use. If you want to be able to be spontaneous when it comes to jumping in your tub whenever you feel like it, having your tub running for extended periods is a good idea.

Leaving the pump running for at least 8 hours each day is often recommended by spa manufacturers. However, it’s important to have safety settings in place that will shut the tub off automatically whenever necessary. This will keep the water at the right temperature for bathing without getting too cold or hot. If your hot tub’s safety settings aren’t working properly, you will need to seek professional advice to resolve the problem.

Does It Cost More To Operate A Constantly Running Hot Tub?

Interestingly, although you may think that switching off the spa’s pump between uses will save you money, this isn’t necessarily the case. Once the hot tub’s water has been heated up to the desired temperature, you can actually save money and energy by maintaining that temperature since reheating the water from scratch each time costs more.

Even if you’re only going to use your spa once per week, it should still run constantly. On the other hand, if you’ll be leaving your tub unattended for two weeks or more, you might want to think about draining it and then filling it again once you return.

Related Questions

Which hot tub problems most commonly occur? Numerous common problems affect hot tubs, but some of the most frequently seen include failure of the water heat, failure of the jets, error codes on the control panel, a weakened water flow, tripping breakers or noisy pumps.

These problems can all be fixed by a professional electrician who is experienced in dealing with spas, but you can actually prevent many of these issues from occurring in the first place if you maintain the tub properly and regularly.

Must A Hot Tub Be Hot? The hot bubbly water in your spa is wonderfully luxurious on a cold day, but in the height of summer when the temperatures are rising, you may not want to sit in a very warm tub. It may surprise you to learn that your hot tub doesn’t actually need to be hot. You can turn the heater down and enjoy cooler water on a hot summer’s day.

You may also have an economy mode or sleep mode on your tub. This not only saves energy but also keeps the water from getting quite as hot. You can also leave the heat-absorbing hot tub cover off the tub. This will stop heat from being kept inside and allow the water to cool down more quickly. This is ideal if you want to enjoy a cool soak quickly, since it takes some time for the water that is already in the tub to cool from its previous temperature.

Although you may be tempted to cut off the power to the spa, it’s important not to do this. If the water doesn’t pump through the tub’s filters, bacteria can build up and contaminate the tub, causing a host of problems.