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Buying a new hot tub is certainly exciting. You can probably already envision yourself lounging in it for hours with friends and family. But hot tubs, spas, and Jacuzzis are pretty significant purchases, which can not only be a bit pricey but also require a lot of forethought – especially as it relates to their power requirements.
We’ll try to help you understand everything you need to know about hooking up a new hot tub and the kinds of electrical considerations you’ll need to make below.
Electrical Requirements for Hot Tubs: The Basics
Hot tubs obviously require some type of power source to heat the water and operate the jets. Typically, that power is provided by an AC power source, like most other major appliances in your home.
So, at a minimum, this means you’ll need an outlet in the general area where you want to install the hot tub. However, the exact type of outlet you require will vary based on a few different factors, including the specific type of hot tub you choose (more on this in a moment). And because hot tubs involve both water and electricity, there are a number of steps required to help reduce the risk of electric shocks.
Power Requirements: Two Types of Hot Tubs
There are two basic types of hot tubs, and the type you select will determine the type of electrical wiring and connections that are necessary to allow safe and problem-free operation.
120V Plug-and-Play Hot Tubs
The more affordable of the two options, 120V plug-and-play hot tubs are essentially ready to go right out of the box (at least, from an electrical standpoint — you still have to assemble and fill them). These kinds of hot tubs can be plugged into a standard outlet and do not require professional installation.
However, this convenience comes with some downsides. For starters, most 120V hot tubs can’t draw enough power to operate the heating element and jets simultaneously — you have to choose to operate one or the other at a time. Additionally, because they’re relatively low-powered, they take much longer to heat the water to the desired temperature than 240V hardwired hot tubs do.
240V Hardwired Hot Tubs
In comparison to 120V plug-and-play hot tubs, 240V hot tubs are generally more expensive (some may even cost five times as much as a budget-priced 120V model). However, because they can draw and utilize more power, they enable you to use the jets and heating element at the same time. They also heat the water much more quickly.
The downside of 240V hot tubs (aside from the higher cost) is that they require professional installation by a licensed electrician. You’ll often need to have a new circuit installed and a GFCI breaker, as well as a manual shutoff. However, 240V hot tubs are often cheaper to operate, as they are capable of heating the water more quickly, which means that the heating element doesn’t work constantly, as is often the case with 120V models.
Electrical Circuits: New or Existing?
One of the first things you’ll need to consider is whether or not you need a new, dedicated circuit installed for your hot tub. You’ll always need a new circuit installed if you opt for a 240V hot tub, but that’s not the case for 120V hot tubs.
If you already have a 15- or 20-amp, GFCI-protected outlet within reach of the hot tub, and there are no other major loads on the circuit (such as a patio heater), you may not technically need a dedicated circuit installed. With that said, it’s generally wise to have a new circuit installed. This can help prevent nuisance breaker trips and make the hot tub safer to operate.
It is also important to note that the electrical codes in some areas necessitate the installation of a dedicated circuit, regardless of its power rating.
Your Electrical Panel
If you have to have a new circuit installed, you’ll need your electrician to determine whether or not your existing panel is capable of providing it with enough electricity.
In some cases, you may have to have a subpanel installed to ensure that the hot tub works correctly and remains safe. In other cases, your electrician may determine that you need an entirely new electrical panel installed for your home. This will obviously increase the costs associated with your hot tub installation project rather significantly, but it simply must be done for safety in some cases.
Wiring and Conduit
Depending on the layout of your home’s electrical system, the location you’ve identified for the hot tub, and several other factors, your electrician may need to run wire from the electric panel (or subpanel) to the outlet.
Because the wiring will be outside your home, it must usually be contained within conduit. This will help protect it from damage, as well as splashing water and general moisture in the environment. Metal or PVC conduit must typically be used in these scenarios.
Fortunately, while conduit does represent another thing you’ll need installed for your hot tub, it’s generally pretty affordable and won’t increase the overall cost of the project very much.
Hot Tub Safety: GFCIs and Manual Disconnects
As mentioned, you’ll always need the protection offered by a GFCI outlet when installing any hot tub. But what exactly does that mean? What is a GFCI, anyway?
GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter. In a nutshell, it is a type of outlet with a built-in circuit breaker that constantly analyzes the amount of current flowing into and out of the outlet.
When working properly, the amount of current leaving the outlet should be exactly the same as the amount of current flowing back into it. But if current “leaks” somewhere in the circuit — a phenomenon called a ground fault — the outlet immediately shuts down the circuit by tripping its breaker. This helps to prevent electric shocks if the electricity escapes through the pool water or if someone touches the equipment.
The manual disconnect is another safety feature, which simply serves as an off switch for the circuit. This way, you could shut down all of the power going to the hot tub if some type of emergency or problem arises.
Permits and Code Compliance
In addition to all of the other steps and considerations explained thus far, it is also critical that your electrician secures the necessary permits and installs the hot tub in accordance with local and national electrical codes. Failure to do either of these things may not only leave your home and family vulnerable to electric shocks and fires, but it may also saddle you with expensive fines or penalties.
This is part of the reason it is so critical that you always work with licensed electricians — like the professionals at Alpha Omega Electric. We’ll gladly ensure that your new hot tub is installed properly, safely, and in accordance with all relevant electrical codes.
Electrical Considerations for Hot Tubs: FAQ
Still have questions about wiring up your new hot tub? Wondering how Alpha Omega Electric can help? We’ll answer some of the most common questions we hear from our customers below!
What are the electrical requirements for a hot tub?
Depending on the type of hot tub you have, you’ll need either a 120-volt circuit or a 240-volt circuit. The amperage requirements vary from 10 to 15 amps for a plug-and-play hot tub to 30 amps, 60 amps, or more for a hardwired tub.
What type of electrical outlet do you need for a hot tub?
If you have a plug-and-play, 120V hot tub, you only need a standard GFCI-protected outlet. However, for a hardwired hot tub, you’ll need a 240V outlet, which often looks like the kind of outlet your clothes dryer or kitchen range uses.
Do you need a licensed electrician to install a hot tub?
It’s always a good idea to have a licensed electrician install your hot tub, but some homeowners feel comfortable hooking up a 120V, plug-and-play hot tub on their own. On the other hand, professional installation is required for 240V, hard-wired models.
What is the 5-foot rule for hot tubs?
The 5-foot rule states that all electrical switching devices (such as the manual disconnect) must be located at least 5 feet away (horizontally) from the inside walls of the hot tub.
How much does your electric bill go up with a hot tub?
The exact amount your electric bill will increase after installing a hot tub will vary based on the model and type of hot tub you choose, your local climate, the temperature you try to maintain, and a host of other factors. Nevertheless, most homeowners report that their electric bills increased between $25 and $100 per month following installation.
Do hot tubs need to be protected by a GFCI?
Yes, because hot tubs involve large quantities of water and electricity, they should always be connected to a ground fault circuit interrupting outlet. This provides some protection against malfunctions and electric shocks.
Trust Alpha Omega Electric for Your Hot Tub Installation Needs!
No matter what kind of hot tub you’d like installed, or what the current state of your home’s electrical system is, the professionals at Alpha Omega Electric can help! We’ll gladly get your hot tub wired correctly, so that you and your loved ones can enjoy it safely for years to come!
Contact us today to schedule your free estimate!
