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What can a 110 volt hot tub offer that a 220 volt can’t?

(updated June 11, 2023)

If you are only just starting your portable hot tub shopping, or are all ready to purchase, there is one consideration that is very important when it comes to enjoying your spa. This important element is whether you will purchase a tub that runs on 110 volts or 220 volts. There is a lot of controversy about which voltage is better or which offers a superior hot tub experience. This sort of choice – concerning how much electricity your hot tub will draw at a time – seems secondary to choices like what shape, what color or what sort of features you want. The truth is, that the kind of voltage your spa uses can factor into its overall cost, installation time, hot tub heater, feature performance and your peace of mind!

Before you can make an informed decision about what voltage you need for your hot tub, you need to understand the differences between 110 volt and 220 volt and how they affect your hot tub. There are also a lot of myths about how they impact energy bills and heat retention that need to be addressed as well!

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110v hot tub vs 220v hot tub?

This is always a big question with no quick answer. Basically it depends on the functions and the needs. Need more Jet Pressure? Need to heat your hot tub faster?  As you know the higher the voltage the more energy that will push through and the more heat and jet pressure can be provided.

Which Voltage Do You Need?

Often salespeople will use the differences between 110 volt and 220 volt hot tubs and skew them in order to sell more hot tubs. Before you buy your hot tub, it’s best to take off the rose-tinted glasses and be able to assess for yourself which voltage will work for your specific needs. Many of the newer spas are being manufactured to run of 110 volts, whereas some of the more traditional, larger spas stick to 220 volts.

The Voltage Test

So, do you need to worry about the differences between these two voltages? In other words are there pros and cons to using 110 volt hot tub to using 220 volt? Here are six quick questions that should help you decide.

Answer “yes” or “no” to the following:

• I live in a colder climate (Canada, Maine, Wisconsin, etc)
• I intend to use my portable hot tub in 20 degrees or lower temperatures
• I intend to have hot tub parties in the winter, where friends will be in and out of the hot tub over a 4-5 hour period.

If you answered YES to any of these statements, then you *do* need to think about voltage.

Now, answer “yes” or “no” to this next set of questions:

• I live in a milder climate (Virginia, the Carolinas, California, Texas, etc)
• I intend to use my spa mostly in warmer weather or only just below freezing temperatures
• Most of my hot tub soak will be either under or around 1-2 hours long.

If you answered YES to any of these statements, then 220 voltage is not as serious of a consideration for you. A 110 volt hot tub should suit you just fine.

What parts of your spa will be affected by the amount of voltage it uses?

Hot tub Heater – the amount of energy your hot tub draws with effect how quickly your hot tub warms up or cools off.

Hot Tub Jets – your jets will also be affected because for some hot tubs to run the heater, the Jets need to be turned off.

Installation Time and Cost – depending on your existing electrical set-up, you might end up paying extra for permits, inspections and electrician costs.

110 Volt and 220 Volt Hot Tub Myth:

“220 volt portable hot tubs will save you money on energy bills!”

The Truth: Quite the contrary – 220 volts will not save you money.

• The reasoning behind the 220 volt theory is this: 220 volts allows your heater to draw more energy and will heat up your hot tub twice and quickly, so in the end, you have it running half the time of a 110 volt hot tub and you save money.

• Why Is This So? Your electric meters measure your energy use in watts as opposed to volts. The higher voltage means that more energy (watts) can move through the wires to your hot tub at a faster rate. With a 220 volt spa, you will still use the same amount of watts that you would be running a 110 volt hot tub for twice as long. The same amount of watts goes to your tub, but it just takes longer.
• The scenario is comparable to filling up your car at the gas station using a quicker pump versus a slower one. In the end, you still get the same amount of gasoline, though one might take longer than the other-and the gas station only charges for the amount of gas, not how long it took to pump it.
• The Ease of 110 Volts
• 110 volt hot tubs are the easiest to install (almost no installation at all) and work into your home’s existing electrical set up. Most households in the US have standard outlets in their homes which run on 110 volts, allowing your spa to be immediately installed. You can start running your spa as soon as you have it set up. Depending on the age of your home, you may have outdoor sockets, which makes plugging feeding electricity to your portable hot tub very easy. Installing a 220 volt outlet will require an electrician, not to mention permits and inspections depending on your county’s policies.
• 110 volts can still power hot tub heaters, jets, lights and other features without any problems. The only concern is if you enjoy using your spa for more than an hour or two when the temperature dips down below 32 degrees. With the cover on your 110 volt hot tub, you can get the temperature up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, but over a couple of hours in frigid temperatures, the temperature will slowly drop. Usually it drops 2 degrees each hour the cover is off-so after about 3 hours of continuous use in below freezing temperatures, the water will only be about body temperature. If the jets are on high, this cool off might happen more quickly. This usually does not present a problem with average use (soaks for 1-2 hours), but if you have parties on very cold nights where everyone wants to be in and out of the hot tub over a 5 hour period, you might find that the water is lukewarm by the end of the night.
• The Power of 220 Volts
• 220 volt hot tubs are able to keep water warmer in sub-zero temperatures. This quicker flow of voltage is used for appliances and other larger machines that need a higher draw of energy. While 220 volt outlets are usually accessible in areas like your kitchen, they may not be available through an outdoor outlet. If this is the case, then you will need to check with your local permit office and see what the requirements and permit prices are. Every county has a different policy about what requires a permit and what does not – often any new electrical line requires one and may also require an inspector to check the work after the new outlet is in place.
• It is usually recommended that you hire an electrician to lay the new wiring for the 220 volt outlet and hook it up to the source of current, simply because one misstep for a Do-It-Yourself-er can result in a trip to the hospital. As stated before, a 220 volt hot tub will not save you money on your energy bills, but it will keep your hot tub warmer if you live in a cold climate and want to use your hot tub even if the temperature is well below freezing. Unfortunately, it will often cost some additional money and time to install if you don’t already have a 220 volt outlet handy.
• Jets and Heater Running Simultaneously
• One of the main reasons why 110 volt hot tubs do not stay as warm as 220 volt ones during the coldest days of winter is because of the way that the power shifts from heater to jets. Many 110 volt hot tubs will only be able to run the heater or the jets at full power. This means that when you turn the jets on full blast in the middle of winter, the heating element temporarily switches off so that the majority of the electricity can power the massaging jets. Lower jet speeds do not create this problem. The 220 volt hot tub can draw energy quicker and is able to keep the heater running while the jets are on high. Some hot tubs like those made by BathSelect are able to run the heater and jets simultaneously, so that goes to show that the heater/jet dilemma does not hold true for every 110 volt hot tub.
• Another energy-saving design that allows 110 volt hot tub to retain heat is heat recycling. The heat created by the jet motor is contained within the insulated walls of the spa to keep the spa toasty. This sort of environmentally clever design is used by manufacturers like BathSelect, who include this recycled heat approach in all of their 110 volt hot tubs. Because of this, BathSelect 110 volt hot tubs are prevalent throughout even the coldest regions of Canada.
• Perfect Compromises?
• There are a few solutions to having the ease of a 110 volt hot tub and the mid-winter warmth of a 220 volt hot tub. Some manufacturers have tried to keep hot tub users toasty even in the coldest parts of the country.
• Manufacturer Improvements to Look for While Shopping
• Look for 110 Volts that can run jets AND heater at the same time. Some 110 volt hot tubs allow for the jets and the heater to be run at the same time, completely eliminating the main difference in 110 volt and 220 volt performance. At this point, BathSelect is one of the only 110v hot tub manufacturers that offers this benefit to their customers. Hopefully in the future other hot tub brands will try to get the most out of their 110 volt performance to keep up with the standard that has set. For now, be aware of whether the spa you are looking at can use jets and heater at the same time. (Check out my-hot-tub-and-spa.com for more information about BathSelect spas.)
• Ask whether the spa you are looking at uses recycled heat. Recycled heat from the jet motor is one way to make sure that your hot tub will be nice and hot whenever you need it to be. Though switching to 220 volts may not lower your energy bills, using a hot tub that recycles heat will! The extra warmth means that you don’t have to crank up your heater quite as hot.

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Keep it constant. If you keep your hot tub at a constant temperature during winter save energy in the long run as opposed to the warming up and cooling down. A constant, warm temp is better in the long run and will be reflected on your electric bills.

Jets off in severe cold of winter. When you aren’t using your hot tub, make sure that your jets are turned off. Running jets can expend energy when you’re not in the spa, and when you are taking a soak, jets can cause the water to cool down faster. If you want a good hydrotherapy massage, it is best to soak in still hot water, then run the jets for the last part of your hot tub soak. This way, you can enjoy the warmth without having the jets rob all the heat too early on. You don’t want to spend your hour in lukewarm water!

Floating Thermal Blanket. Hot water rises, so as your 110 volt hot tub warms up, the hottest water will float at the top. A good investment for mid-winter spa use is a floating thermal blanket. This will keep heat from escaping from the water’s surface. Together with a snug-fitting cover, a thermal blanket can really keep your tub toasty.

Wind breaks around hot tub. When installing your hot tub, it may be a good idea to consider placing it near a wall or sheltered area in your yard. Having wind breaks around your tub will keep chilly air from blowing away the warmth of your hot tub. Some spa owners make their own wind breaks for privacy as was as warmth.

Hydro jets better than air induction jets. Hot tubs that use water induction as opposed to air induction are more likely to stay warm. When jets expel air, the water temperature can drop more quickly than it would it the jets were blowing water. The difference between air and water jets is very slight, but in the winter time, water jets will keep the water warm for a longer period of time. Buyer Beware: air induction jets can sometimes be a sign of a cheap hot tub.

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