How Much Does It Cost to Operate a Swim Spa Each Month?
Published 24 April, 2025
So you’ve figured out the cost of a swim spa. You’ve thought it through, but there’s still one lingering concern before you make your purchase:
“What will it cost me to run this swim spa after I buy it?”
It’s a perfectly reasonable long-term question and one we hear often at Hydropool. Knowing the monthly cost of owning a swim spa is essential before you buy. The last thing you want is to end up with something that becomes too expensive to maintain.
So, what is the monthly cost of running a swim spa? In Canada, we estimate that in 2024, it will be just over $100 per month. This includes chemicals, water costs, heating, and energy — basically, everything we could think of!
This figure is an average and represents our best estimate of all costs combined. We want to provide you with the most complete answer possible about the monthly cost of owning a swim spa. To help you understand better, we’ll break down exactly what’s included and how we arrived at that number.
We’ll cover the following running costs for a swim spa:
Energy costs for swim spas
Sanitization costs for swim spas
Water costs for swim spas
Repair costs for swim spas
By the end, we hope you’ll have a clear understanding of how much it will cost to maintain your swim spa.
How Much Power Does a Swim Spa Use?
Nobody likes high energy bills. A mid-range, energy-efficient swim spa typically uses around 4,000–5,000 watts or more, depending on how often you use it and the settings you select. This usage plays a major role in determining the monthly operating cost of a swim spa.
Heating the water, running the jets, and filtering the water all contribute to your energy bill. Generally, we estimate this cost to be about $60 per month, or roughly $2 per day.
What Factors Into the Running Costs of a Swim Spa?
Several factors come into play. While how often you use it is a major factor in saving money, it’s not the only one:
Where you live and the local temperatures
How the swim spa is built, particularly how well it is insulated
How frequently and for how long you use the swim spa — these two are the biggest factors in determining ongoing costs. Just like using your washing machine or driving your car, the more you use it, the more it costs.
Whether you need to keep the heat running through the summer or if you can turn it down
How often the cover is removed during any season and the quality of that cover
The size of the swim spa and the power of the accessories it uses
Your local electricity rates
How Often Do You Need to Clean a Swim Spa and What Does it Cost?
Chemicals are essential to maintain the water quality of your swim spa. You’ll need to regularly test your water and add chemicals like chlorine or bromine to keep it sanitized. Testing strips or a digital testing kit typically cost between $10 and $30. Chemical costs usually range from $10 to $50 per month, depending on the size of your swim spa and how frequently you use it.
What Can I Do to Reduce Chemical Usage in My Swim Spa?
This is a question we hear often about swim spa filtration systems. The best way to minimize chemical use is to choose a swim spa equipped with an AOP system — short for Advanced Oxidation Process.
Most swim spa brands offer AOP systems, at least as an optional upgrade. At Hydropool, however, our Pure Water AOP system comes standard on all swim spas except the 13FFP model.
AOP systems combine UV light and ozone to kill bacteria before it has a chance to grow — the same technology used in purifying drinking water.
How Much Does Water Cost for a Swim Spa?
Depending on how often you use it, you’ll likely need to drain and refill your swim spa every few months. Water costs will vary based on your location and local rates.
On average, refilling a swim spa costs between $50 and $100 each time. At Hydropool, we recommend changing the water quarterly.
Why Does a Swim Spa Need Regular Maintenance?
Keeping up with maintenance is essential to ensure your swim spa works properly and lasts longer. Regular tasks include cleaning the filter, checking water pH levels, and removing any debris from the water.
You can either maintain your swim spa yourself or hire a professional. Professional maintenance typically costs between $100 and $200 per month, depending on your area.
If you choose to do it yourself, you’ll need tools like brushes and skimmers, which generally cost between $50 and $100 as a one-time purchase.
Remember, warm water attracts more than just people — deodorants, perfumes, hairsprays, dirt, leaves, bugs, algae, mold, and mildew can all get into your swim spa. Regular maintenance helps keep these contaminants out.
What Are the Average Repair Costs?
Like any major appliance, swim spas may occasionally experience problems like pump failures, leaks, or electrical issues. Repair costs depend on the severity of the problem and the parts and labor needed to fix it. Repair rates typically run about $150 an hour, although this can vary depending on where you live and what your warranty covers.
How Much Do Swim Spas Cost to Buy?
We cover that in detail in another article you can check out here. To help you understand the full cost of owning a swim spa, we walk through:
Swim spa pricing
Electrical setup costs
Need for a concrete pad and installation costs
Delivery charges
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Swim Spa?
Just like a car, a swim spa comes with ongoing costs you should include in your budget.
Many people ask us how much it costs to operate a swim spa each month. On average, in Canada in 2024, you can expect to spend just over $100 per month to maintain your swim spa.
Keep in mind this is an average estimate. We recommend reaching out to your local dealer for a more accurate cost based on your location.
Want to explore more about Hydropool’s swim spas? Click here.
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