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- Hot tub users are unplugging their devices in droves, findings show
Hot tub users are unplugging their devices in droves due to high energy prices over the past year, findings from uSwitch reveal.
A fifth of homeowners have stopped using them or only use them for special occasions to cut bills, while online searches have plummeted from their 2020 and 2021 peaks, the research suggests.
Only 6 percent of hot tub owners said their usage remained the same amid higher energy bills.
From the height of the pandemic: Hot tubs were all the rage as lockdowns kept people at home

To cut energy bills: Hot tub users are unplugging their devices in droves, says uSwitch, leaving some inflatable tubs in a condition similar to this sad built-in feature
Inefficient hot tubs can cost up to £4.94 a day at current energy prices, compared with 90p for efficient models, but this figure is likely to rise in October if tariffs rise as forecast, uSwitch said.
The comparison website said 14 per cent of households with hot tubs had “vastly reduced” the time they spent using the hot tub and made sure to switch it off from the mains when not in use.
Only 10 percent said they leave the faucet on and the tub running in an attempt to keep the water hot.
After peaking during the pandemic, online searches for hot tubs have since dropped dramatically.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at uSwitch, said: ‘Hot tubs require a lot of energy to operate, so it’s no surprise that many homeowners have taken steps to reduce the amount of time they’re in use.
‘The good news is that running costs are less than half of what they were last summer, which may prompt some people to dust off their hot tubs to enjoy them on warm summer nights.
‘To save energy on your hot tub, make sure you get a well-fitting cover that forms a tight seal to prevent losing heat and using more energy when not in use.
‘If you’re thinking of buying one this summer, be sure to check its energy efficiency.
‘More expensive hot tubs are likely to be better insulated and cost less to operate in the long run.’

Online searches for hot tubs increased during the pandemic, but have since declined
According to uSwitch, around 1,974,000 households, or 7 percent, have a hot tub in their garden.
Anyone considering purchasing a hot tub should consider energy costs and service and maintenance costs.
In terms of energy bills, the cost of running a hot tub will depend on things like the size and model of the hot tub, your electricity tariff, the temperature required for the water, and how much time you plan to spend in the hot tub with the jets on.
WhatSpa? claims that the most energy efficient hot tubs cost between £1 and £1.30 per day at current energy rates of around 28p.62 per kWh.
However, not all hot tubs are designed to operate efficiently.
A water heater will also be required and again some models are less energy efficient than others.
According to WhatSpa?, hot tubs should be professionally maintained at least once a year.
A one-off service can cost between £100 and £200, but there are also service plans that are charged monthly, according to WhatSpa?. There are also costs to consider for maintaining water quality. A filter and chemicals will be needed to purify the water.
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