Should I Leave My Inflatable Hot Tub On All The Time?

It seems counterintuitive to leave an inflatable hot tub permanently switched on, after all most of us are trying to save energy and money these days. This is especially the case when it comes to inflatable hot tubs since they are designed to be portable and only used infrequently. So I decided the time had come to investigate whether I should keep my inflatable tub running constantly.

So, should I leave my inflatable hot tub on all the time? The answer is, rather surprisingly, yes. Leaving your inflatable hot tub switched on permanently may sound like it’s going to cost you more money than switching it off after every use but in fact, hot tubs, even portable ones, are designed to stay switched on permanently.

Although it may sound like it’ll cost you more to keep your inflatable hot tub switched on all the time, you’ll actually find it’s more economical. If you keep the water inside it at a higher temperature than if you have to heat the water from cold every time you want to jump in and enjoy the bubbles it will actually use less energy.

Want to know why? Read on to learn more.

Why Should I Leave My Inflatable Hot Tub On?

The primary reason for leaving your inflatable hot tub on permanently is that, once the water in the tub has reached the desired temperature, it only takes a fairly small amount of energy to maintain that temperature. During the warmer months of the year, this is especially true, particularly if your tub is covered and if you have extra insulation around the tub.

On the other hand, though, if your inflatable hot tub is outdoors in cooler weather, it will take more energy to keep the water at the right temperature. This is doubly the case if your tub lacks proper insulation.

Even in this situation, though, it’s still recommended that you keep the hot tub constantly running since if your spa is allowed to sit idle several problems and issues could occur that could end up causing you more expense than the cost of keeping the power running.

Another reason to keep your inflatable hot tub constantly running is because you won’t be able to just jump into it whenever you want. After all, you purchased your portable spa so that you could make use of it whenever you felt the need for a little relaxation and comfort.

You can’t do that if the water needs to be warmed up from scratch every time. It can take 12 – 24 hours to warm up the water in a hot tub from cold, so if you turn yours off in between uses, you won’t be able to decide on the spur of the moment to get into the water and relax.

If the hot tub is left switched on, though, it can reach your desired temperature much more quickly, so by the time you’re ready to soak in the spa the water will be warm and cozy ready for you to indulge.

Can I Leave My Inflatable Hot Tub Switched On Over The Winter Months?

Unlike standard permanent hot tubs, inflatable hot tubs aren’t designed for use in very cold weather. Manufacturers recommend that inflatable hot tubs aren’t used in temperatures under 40 degrees Fahrenheit (around 4 degrees Celsius).

Obviously in the UK, the outdoor temperatures often go far lower than this. Although the water inside an inflatable hot tub will remain warm as long as your spa is covered up, manufacturers suggest that you pack up your tub when winter arrives.

This means that if you’re following the manufacturer’s instructions you won’t need to keep the tub switched on in cold weather as it will be stored away until the warmer weather arrives. The reason for this is because the motor mechanism of an inflatable tub isn’t designed to run in very cold weather, and so could be damaged if you choose to keep it running during the winter.

There are, however, some people who decide to use their inflatable hot tub outdoors even during the winter. If you do opt to do this, it’s important to note that your guarantee will almost certainly be void and so you’ll be doing it at your own risk.

There is an alternative option, though. Since inflatable hot tubs are portable you could simply bring yours inside during the winter months and carry on using it. If you have an outbuilding or garage, these spaces would be ideal for your inflatable tub during the colder weather and it would be easier to keep the temperature above the recommended minimum.

If you opt to do this, you can continue to keep your inflatable tub’s motor running throughout the winter just as you would if it was outdoors during the summer months. You would still be able to reap all of the benefits of having warm water ready for use at short notice.

Are There Some Occasions When I Will Need To Switch Off My Inflatable Hot Tub?

Although it makes sense to keep your inflatable hot tub switched on all the time, there will obviously be some occasions when you will have to switch it off. The obvious time when you will need to do this is when you’re draining the tub of water so that it can be cleaned and then refilled. You will need to go through this process around every three months so that the water can stay safe for use and the tub can be hygienic and fresh.

Another time when you may wish to switch off your inflatable tub is if you’re going away from home for an extended period of time, or there will be a long period when you know that you definitely won’t need to use the spa. If, for example, you’re planning a holiday of at least a week, it doesn’t make sense economically to keep the tub switched on all the time.

What Temperature Should I Set My Inflatable Hot Tub To If I’m Not Using It?

While we’ve already discussed the benefits of leaving your inflatable hot tub switched on while you’re not using it for short periods, you may want to think about turning down the temperature a little in between uses. This is especially a good idea if you know you only use the hot tub occasionally.

Lowering the temperature by around five degrees will help you to save energy and reduce your bills, but it also gives you the advantage of having a shorter period of time to get the water back to the right temperature again when you do want to use it once more. While you’ll still need to allow a few hours to reheat the water before you can jump back in the tub, it won’t take as long as having to reheat the water from scratch.

Will Leaving My Inflatable Hot Tub Switched On Continuously Cause A Breakdown?

One thing that worries inflatable hot tub owners is whether leaving the spa switched on permanently could cause it to break down more rapidly. Rest assured that this isn’t necessarily the case. Actually, inflatable hot tubs will often last longer when they’re used regularly in this way.

The lifespan of your inflatable hot tub will depend on the quality of the product in the first place as well as how well you’ve cared for it. Although inflatable spas won’t last as long as a permanently installed hot tub, they can still last for several years as long as you look after them properly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

You will, therefore, find that you’ll enjoy better value for money if you leave your inflatable hot tub switched on and get as much use out of it as possible rather than rationing your use in an attempt to prolong its useful life.

Related Questions

How often will I need to change my inflatable hot tub’s water if it stays switched on permanently? If you’re planning to use your inflatable hot tub on a regular basis, you will need to make sure that you change the water regularly. Don’t wait until it smells or looks unpleasant – leaving it this long could end up causing you health problems.

However, you don’t need to change your water too often either as this will cost a lot in terms of energy and water bills. You can work out how often to replace the water in your inflatable hot tub by taking the number of gallons of water your inflatable spa can hold then divide that number by three. Divide the answer by the number of people regularly using the tub and the final number will tell you how frequently the water needs changing.

If I switch off my inflatable hot tub how long will it take to heat the water from scratch? Heating the water up to the maximum temperature from cold will take between 12 and 24 hours depending on the size of your hot tub.