Many people view hot tubs as luxury items that can only be purchased if they have a huge budget. While some hot tubs can end up costing a lot of money, it does not mean there is nothing you can do to stop purchasing one from draining your bank accounts. Today, we are going to look at how you can get the perfect hot tub at a great price. We will also look at how you can stop it from costing you a fortune in energy bills down the road, something many people forget could happen.
Create and Stick to a Budget
Before you start shopping for a hot tub, you should have a set budget in mind. You should decide how much the ideal price would be for you, as well as how much you are willing to spend if you go above this ideal price. Remember that having a price range can be the difference between getting the hot tub you want and settling for one that does not meet all your needs.
Once you settle on the budget, stick to it. This will help you focus on getting the right hot tub rather than being swayed by features that could cost extra.
Do Your Research
There are endless options when it comes to choosing the right hot tub. A simple search online for different types of hot tubs will tell you what you can get at the budget you have set. Remember that the more features a hot tub has, the higher the price it will be listed for. If you have a hard time choosing between all the different models, talk to a retailer like Oasis Leisure, who can be found online at OasisLeisure.com. They will explain the different types of hot tubs that are available at the budget you have.
Choose the Right Size
Although your budget will likely set the size limit for you, it is always important to define what size you need before you start shopping. A six-seat hot tub might look great on a brochure or website, but it will be a waste of money if you have a small family or do not have plans of entertaining a relatively large group.
Choosing a smaller hot tub also opens up possibilities of finding one that has extra features that a larger one at the same price might not. If you do need a larger hot tub, try to forgo some of the advanced functionality. By doing this, you will get a standard unit that is the right size and that will not cost too much.
Choose Above-Ground Hot Tubs
In-ground hot tubs look better than above-ground hot tubs, but they come with some disadvantages. The most obvious one is their cost. In-ground hot tubs are much more expensive than their above-ground counterparts. They are also a lot more expensive to install.
Above-ground hot tubs, on the other hand, are easier and cheaper to install. All you need for these types of hot tubs is a base on which they will sit and an electrical outlet.
Energy Efficiency
As with all other appliances, hot tubs also have an energy-efficiency rating. The better the energy efficiency, the lower the amount of power the hot tub will consume and the lower your electricity bills will be It is relatively easy to find out the energy efficiency rating of the hot tubs you are considering. Just check on the manufacturer’s website or do some research online to see what other people have to say.
Hunt for Deals and Clearance Sales
If you do not need the hot tub installed any time soon, you could save a lot of money by waiting for deals and clearance sales. Some retailers have been known to offer huge discounts around special holidays so keep an eye on that.
Also, some retailers who are getting out of the business or are relocating will usually have clearance sales for different hot tub models. Here, you can save up to half on a relatively advanced hot tub.
If you do not want to wait around, you can always look online to see which local retailers have ongoing sales.
Lower Your Energy Costs – Check the Insulation
Hot tubs are insulated to keep the water warm, which reduces the amount of energy used to keep the hot tub working as expected. As the hot tub ages, the insulation starts wearing out, which means the hot tub loses a lot of heat.
It then consumes additional power to keep the water at the right temperature. If you do not want your hot tub costing too much in power bills, get a professional to check the insulation for you from time to time. If it is worn, you can have them replace it.
Program the Hot Tub Better
Many hot tub models come with programmable filtration cycles. Typically, your hot tub will run multiple times a day to keep the water clean and safe. This can cost you quite a bit if the hot tub is left to run this way. Fortunately, many hot tub models are now programmable. This means you can set the filtration cycles in ways that will not cost you too much in energy costs.
For example, you could set the pumps and filtration systems to run a few times a day when the hot tub is not in use and more times when it is.
Reduce the Temperature
A common mistake people make is leaving the hot tub running at a higher temperature, even when it is cold. This wastes a lot of energy and can end up costing you more. To reduce the cost of running a hot tub, reduce its temperature by a degree or two.
Just remember to not keep lowering or raising the temperature. The amount of energy required to heat the hot tub to a higher temperature might negate the gains made by lowering the temperature in the first place.
Purchasing, running, and maintaining a hot tub can get expensive very fast. It is, therefore, important that you make the right purchasing decisions as well as find ways to reduce the cost of running the hot tub to ensure it does not end up costing you a fortune.
