Yes, it can be better to turn a hot tub down when not in use, especially if you won’t be using it for a while. But whether or not it’s a good idea really depends on how often you use it and how quickly you want it ready again.

In this blog post, we’ll cover whether lowering the temperature can save money, how much to turn it down, and what to check before using the hot tub again.

Why It Can Be Better to Turn a Hot Tub’s Temperature Down When You’re Not Using It

If you’re not using it anyway, turning a hot tub down can save energy and lower operating costs by reducing unnecessary work for the heater.

See, even when it’s well-insulated, a hot tub still loses heat through places like the cover, cabinet, and plumbing. If it sits at 102°F for days at a time, the heater has to keep running to replace that heat loss. And at that point, it’s basically just holding a soaking temperature that no one’s using.

When you lower the setting, though, the heater doesn’t need to cycle on as often. If you lower it enough, the water stays warm, circulation can continue, and the spa is usually easier to bring back up to temperature than if you shut it off completely.

How Much Should You Turn Down a Hot Tub When Not in Use?

How much you should turn down a hot tub really depends on how long it will sit unused:

• Daily or almost daily use. Lower it a few degrees, such as from 102°F to 98°F or 99°F, so it stays close to ready.
• A few days without use. Set it around 90°F to 95°F to reduce heating demand without letting the water get too cool.
• Longer breaks. Use your spa’s economy, sleep, or vacation mode if it has one, and check the manual for the right setting.

For the most part, the longer the break, the more room you usually have to lower the temperature.

How Long Will It Take the Hot Tub to Heat Back Up?

Most hot tubs heat up by about 3°F to 6°F per hour, so the timing depends mostly on how far you turned the temperature down. A small drop may only take an hour or two to recover from, while a bigger drop can take several hours.

There are a few other factors that can affect how quickly your hot tub gets back up to temperature, too:

• How far you turned it down. A spa set to 98°F will heat back up much faster than one set to 90°F.
• Hot tub size. More water usually takes longer to heat.
• Heater strength. A stronger heater can bring the temperature up faster.
• The cover. A tight, well-insulated cover helps hold heat in while the water warms.
• Weather. Cold or windy conditions can slow things down because the spa is losing heat while it is trying to warm back up.

If you like using your hot tub on short notice, your best bet is to keep it closer to your normal soaking temperature. Or, if you usually plan your soaks ahead of time, you can turn it down more and give it time to heat back up before you use it.

Dealing With Hot Tub Temperature Issues?

Turning the temperature down can be useful when your hot tub isn’t in use, but it should still heat back up and hold temperature when you need it to.

If you’ve been playing around with the temperature and your hot tub takes too long to warm up, struggles to stay hot, or leaves you guessing about the right setting, Clark Pools and Spas can help. Contact us today for help with hot tub maintenance, water care, and finding the right setup for how you actually use your hot tub.