are lazy spas expensive to run

Inflatable hot tubs are fast becoming popular due to their low cost. The Lay-Z-Spa inflatable hot tubs often dubbed as Lazy Spa, is one popular brand among inflatables. Yet, there’s a question I’m often asked – are Lazy Spa hot tubs expensive to run?

So here’s what I found after extensive research.

No. Lazy Spa hot tubs are not expensive to run although all inflatable hot tubs do tend to add more to your monthly electric bill than so-called portable and in-ground hot tubs. Expect to pay between $30-$50 US dollars per month to run a Lay-Z-Spa.

But how much electricity does the Lazy Spa actually consume? And what are the closest alternative brands, offering similar features? Besides, you’d also like to know about the best inflatable hot tub, don’t you?

If you want to learn more about Lay-Z-Spa and its close competitors, then keep reading.

💦 BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT WITH YOUR OWN LAY-Z-SPA! 💦https://t.co/w9xiMjX2rx#summer #celebrate #spafun #chill #lovecapetown #cooldown #relax pic.twitter.com/3lIt0GKdVM

— LivingItUpCT.com 🌍🍷🌊 (@livingitupct) January 4, 2020

How much electricity does a Lay-Z-Spa use?

The short answer is it will vary, but a good base estimate is about $40 bucks a month in US dollars. I say US dollars as the Lay-Z-Spa is more common in the UK than it is here in the US.

There are a lot of factors that impact the running cost of a hot tub. For instance,

• The cost of electricity in your area
• The size of the hot tub, and therefore the volume of water
• The rating of the pump in kW
• The number of times you use it per week
• The time of year and how cold it gets

It is estimated that the average cost of running a regular hot tub continuously over a year amounts to around $1/day. For an inflatable, you can add another 20% on top of this.

Users in the UK have confirmed that the electric bill over a year averaged out at around $1.20/day (in US dollars).

Like all inflatable tubs, the thermal value of the shell and lid is a lot less than you would find on a portable tub with its highly insulated acrylic body and Styrofoam cover.

With some of the cheaper inflatables, the pump circulates the outside air through the jets. So if the air temperature is lower than 100°F, the optimum water temperature for your tub, then the water will start to cool quite rapidly.

However, the pump on the Lay-Z-Spa both heats and filters the water while running the massage system. So it maintains the water temperature at a decent temperature range of 98 – 100°F for much longer.

If you are considering investing in a hot tub for the first time, you might like to read my recent article before laying out $1,000s.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Elite level pro tip:

30 mins lay-z-spa post legs with the sun in your face

Bring the heart rate right down ready for a big Sunday scran pic.twitter.com/TO1fD5YhUA

— Robert Beresford (@Rob_Beresford) August 2, 2020

Are other brands of inflatable hot tubs more energy efficient than a Lay-Z-Spa?

No is the short answer.

One of the advantages of the Lazy Spa Hot Tubs is that it runs off 240v. This means the motor is more powerful at 2kW, compared to 1 to 1.3kW on other models.

Now, this is because the pump uses the same amount of watts as the 110v for twice the time.

The Lay-Z-Spa also boasts a built-in power-saving Timer, so you can choose when and how long your pump activates up to 72 hours in advance. After 72 hours, the pump will switch off automatically. 

All inflatables suffer from poor insulation, but with its unique TriTech outer walls, the Lay-Z-Spa fairs better than most.

Trying to find a lay-z-spa for my staycay since my vaycay is no more #needleinahaystack pic.twitter.com/nlpgKf4BKJ

— A_r_l_e_n_e (@MrsGordon05) April 16, 2020

Can I leave my Lay-Z-Spa on overnight?

Yes, you can leave your Lay-Z-Spa on all the time. In fact, that is what most people do.

The most significant impact on your electrical bill is in heating the water from 50° to 100°. This can take a whole day to achieve. So once you’ve got it there, leave the motor running and keep it there.

The ‘Freeze Shield’ winterizing system on the Lay-Z-Spa monitors the ambient air-temperature to ensure the pump stays operational even in the coldest of conditions.

Always remember to leave the lid on when your tub is not in use.

We finally got the lay z spa working today after a week of bad weather.

This is going to be invaluable for hydrotherapy for Jamie over this summer pic.twitter.com/fRJL8s3i6s

— Jamie’s Journey (@JamieSDRJourney) June 14, 2020

Does an insulated ground mat for a hot tub help with heat loss?

Ground mats are highly recommended, especially if you are going to place your inflatable hot tub on timber decking.

But before you think about doing that, you need to read this recent article on my website. Just click on the link to read it on my site. 

Ground mats protect the underside of the hot tub from damage due to nails, splinters, broken glass, and any other sharp object that may be lying around.

But do they help with heat loss?

The simple answer is yes. Have you ever been camping, lying in a sleeping bag on the hard ground, and felt the cold coming up in the night? Well, to be more accurate, that is the heat from your body passing through into the earth below the groundsheet.

Now compare that to when you use a thermal mat under you.

The same applies to your hot tub. The insulated ground mat will stop a high percentage of the heat passing downward, adding to your comfort in the colder months.

The Lay-Z-Spa ground mat comes in 10 segments that slot together, 9 for the tub itself and 1 for the pump.

Don’t have an insulated ground cloth for your inflatable hot tub?

Puzzle mats, as you sometimes see in daycare facilities, make a great, cheap, and easy way to add an insulated pad under your inflatable hot tub.

I like this one on Amazon from the company BalanceFrom. It’s black, 3/4″ thick, and totally customizable to make it the perfect size for your hot tub.

It’s also an Amazon’s Choice product with over 13,000 outstanding reviews. Just click that link to check the current price on Amazon.

Can’t buy a bloody Lay-z-spa for love nor money, the world has gone hot tub crazy, bubbles, bubbles everywhere pic.twitter.com/WQ1PQzWqfW

— ideal_ian 💙 (@ideal_ian) May 3, 2020

What is the best inflatable hot tub?

There’s no doubt that the advances made in inflatable hot tubs over recent years have led to a sharp increase in their usage and put them in contention with portables and even some of the low-end permanent spas.

If you ever wondered whether inflatable hot tubs are worth considering, a recent article on my website looked into this in some detail.

All you have to do is click on the link to read it on my site. 

The Lay-Z-Spa hot tub (check out all the options on Amazon) is one of the market leaders in the UK. And without a doubt, it is an excellent hot tub with over 500,000 happy customers. The Milan model is said to seat up to six people, but at 77-inch diameter, this is going to be a tight squeeze. It is more of a generous four-seater.

One downside of the Lay-Z-Spa is that it runs off 240v, so while this is ok to plug into any UK mains electric system, it would have to be hard-wired through a disconnect box in the USA. This may also need an electrician if you don’t have one outside in your yard.

So let’s just look at one or two others.

The IntexPure Spa inflatable is a favorite of mine. The 75-inch model seats four comfortably, and the 85-inch can seat up to six. All Intex tubs are made of patented Fiber-Tech laminate PVC, which gives it extra strength and comfort.

The product description does state that you should not leave this tub outside in temperatures below 39°F. But if the pump is running continuously, there should be no issues with freezing.

It’s also an Amazon’s Choice product with outstanding reviews.

The 80 air-jets of the Lay-Z-Spa release bubbles from the center of the base and sidewalls of the spa to target both the legs and back. The Intex Pure Spa has 140 jets spaced all around.

However, it is not all about the number. It is also about power, and the higher rated motor on the Lay-Z-Spa delivers more in those 80 jets than any other inflatable.

So, is it clear to you if Lazy Spa Hot Tubs are NOT expensive to run?

There is no doubt; the Lay-Z-Spa hot tub is a great product.

It is robust, resilient, and has many features usually associated with high-end fixed tubs. For instance, the WiFiApp allows you to control the temperature and features anywhere from your cellphone.

Some of these features help to make it one of the most economical inflatables on the market to run, but it is not always available in the States, so I gave you some alternatives to look at too.

I hope that covered everything. If you have any questions, drop me a line or just click on the links to see previous posts on my site.