Hot Tub Electrical Installation Cost
Hot tub electrical installation costs $800 to $1,600 for a dedicated circuit to the electrical panel, underground conduit and wiring up to 100′, and to install a 220V GFCI outlet or subpanel near the spa. Homes with existing wiring or outlet for a replacement spa costs $150 to $500 to hook up.
Older homes with 100 or 150-amp services or installing large hot tubs may require a total service capacity and panel upgrade to a 200 or 300-amp to handle the added capacity. The average cost to upgrade electrical panel for a hot tub is $1,200 to $3,000, depending on the size required.
Hot Tub Electrical Installation Cost| Method | |
|---|---|
| Upgrade Electrical Panel Service Capacity | $1,200 $3,000 |
*Most spa panels require a 50 or 60-amp, 220V or 240V with a dedicated GFCI power supply or a 15-amp, 120-volt plug-and-play with GFCI.
The spa should be placed in the desired location before the electrical installation. The spa panel requires installing no less than 5 feet away from the hot tub and 10 feet away from non-GFCI protected outlets to prevent electrocution risks.
Trenching and installing conduit underground is cheapest when performed by a landscaper instead of an electrician before the concrete pad is installed or the hot tub is placed.
Ready To Get A Quote For Your Install
to submit your request or give us a call today 991-2785. We can often give you an estimate virtually if we know all the following information:
- The Amps required for the spa.
- The exact location of your spa placement.
- The location of your main electrical panel.
- What is between your house and the location of your spa.
We will get you an accurate and fair estimate, then get your project done as quickly as possible so you can enjoy your new hot tub!
Lay The Conduit & Pull Wire
Install the conduit in a trench. Conduit is a long tube of metal or PVC that will hold the electrical wires. Consult your local building code to determine how deep to lay the conduit. Some conduit trenches must be as deep as 18 inches.
Use a shovel to dig the conduit trench. Carefully remove the sod from the trench location. If necessary, cut it into manageable squares, and set it aside. The trench should extend from the spa panel to the spa and from the spa panel to the electrical breaker panel. Do not bury conduit underneath the hot tub.
The conduit will exit the house near the breaker panel, so use a hole saw to create an opening through the outside wall. Then, measure, cut and cement the conduit and fittings. Your measurements and cuts should cover the distance down the wall from the breaker panel, across the trench and up to the spa panel, then down from the spa panel and across the trench to the spa.
If the underground run is shorter than six feet, you can use a conduit made of liquid-tight flexible metal or a non-metallic material. Conduit sections longer than six feet should be made of rigid metal, intermediate metal, or rigid, non-metallic materials listed for direct burial. PVC is a popular option.
Connect the indoor and outdoor conduits by inserting an LB fitting through the hole in the exterior wall. Next, run the wire.
Tip: Before you dig, contact your local utility company to mark your utilities and ensure you don’t cut into any buried lines, pipes or cables.
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Why The Mw Spa Gfci Load Center/disconnect Is The Better Choice:
Unfortunately, conventional load centers often perform unreliably with hot tubs due to the phenomenon called errant tripping. This false tripping is a great frustration to homeowners and electricians alike. It is often incorrectly attributed to a problem with the spa, when no problem exists.
Common GFCI breakers sometimes react to a normal spa condition as if it were a ground fault. Reactive loads that spa motors present plus the resistance load of heaters make normal GFCI breakers unreliable at best.
Our Spa Disconnect GFCI panel solves these problems. It’s the dependable ground fault detector designed just for hot tubs. The specially-shielded GFCI prevents false tripping due to RF interference. It is also engineered for low-voltage stability to prevent tripping due to brownouts, fluctuations and mixed loads. If there is a ground fault, the fast-acting GFCI instantly disconnects the lines.
Note: The NEC and many jurisdictions REQUIRE the installation of a 120V outdoor GFCI outlet. It is to be located 10-20 feet away from a spa or pool, for safe operation of corded appliances.
Gfci Hot Tub Wiring Diagram
In addition to the diagram that follows, please reference the owners manual for additional wiring diagrams.
* If connected to a 3 wires system, the heat.wave and accessories will not operate at 240 V.
Insert each wire into the appropriate socket of the main entry terminal block according to the color code indicated on the sticker. Use a flat-head screwdriver to tighten the screws on the terminal.
After making sure wires are securely connected, push them back into the box and replace the cover. Do not over tighten cover screws .
Connect the bonding conductor to the bonding lug on the front of the spa pack .
NOTE: On initial connection the installer is prompted for electrical configurations. The Low-Level setting is selected by the installer. The Phase and Amperage is set automatically. Default settings should be confirmed by the installer to match the actual phase and amperage at the spas installation location. In rare occasions it may be necessary to adjust the Phase and Amperage setting to match the actual service available at the installation location using the Electrical Configuration instructions for your spas specific control system. The Input Amperage for a 60A service is 48. The Input Amperage for a 50A service is 40.
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How Do You Run Electricity To A Hot Tub
There are two ways to run electricity to a hot tub:
Low 110V Connection
With a low 110V connection, you simply plug the hot tub power into an outlet. This is commonly used with plug-and-play hot tubs.
220V, 230V, or 240V Connection
A 220V, 230V, or 240V connection is used with wired hot tubs. In this case, it directly connects to the central circuit.
When hard wiring the hot tub, you may use existing wiring, which tends to be the cheaper option.
You may also upgrade the wiring, which consists of installing the circuit, wiring, and outlet or subpanel.
Should I Upgrade To A New Hot Tub To Reduce My Electric Bill
The hot tubs of ten or twenty years ago relied on high-powered jet pumps to heat the water, causing dramatic increases in energy costs. If your hot tub is more than a decade old, its probably time to consider trading in your old spa for a more energy efficient model. Great advances have been made in energy efficiency within the past five years, so even if your current model has several years of life left in it, you might find it worthwhile to talk to your local hot tub dealer about whether an upgrade is a good choice for you.
Hot tubs from Hot Spring Spas are well-known for their high quality, superb performance, and energy efficiency. If you have any additional questions about how a Hot Spring hot tub would affect your electric bill, . Theyre your best resource for information about hot tub ownership in your area.
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Electrical Service Wire Size Length And Type
The size of wire required to supply the spa with power is dependent upon the length of the electrical run and should only be determined by a licensed Electrician. Installation must be in accordance with all national and local wiring rules. All wiring must be copper to ensure adequate connections. Never use aluminum wire.
The following document can help your electrician determine the wire length needed based on your spa model, the spa installation location, and the GFCI box location: Electrical Wire Length Recommendations.
Can A Hot Tub Run On A 30 Amp Breaker
Some tubs run fine with a 20 amp or 30 amp circuit breaker. If you want to set up a spa, you have to have the right breaker for it. If youre not sure, stick to the manufacturers instructions. This will allow you to plug in your tub and shower at the same time.
You can also use a cordless drill to drill a hole in the wall of your shower or tub, and then run the cord from the drill through the hole and into the tub.
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How Does Hot Spring Keep Energy Costs Low
Energy efficiency is important to us, so we work constantly to find new ways to improve our high-quality products and lower your hot tub operating costs. Every aspect of a Hot Spring Spas hot tub is designed with energy efficiency in mind:
Hot Tub Installation Requirements
It is vital to decide the location of your hot tub before purchasing. You want to place your hot tub where the foundation is flat and level. You will also want to make sure the foundation can hold the full weight of the spa filled including people. If the foundation is not stable the hot tub can start to sink or even crack. Proper applications include a reinforced deck, an area with at least a four-inch-thick poured concrete that supports 120 pounds per square foot, stone pavers, a composite slab of wood and gravel, or a modular spa pad heavy-duty plastic holding the tub. Proper draining is required.
You must have an outside electrical location. If the electrical outlet is 110V, all you must do is plug in the hot tub. If the electrical outlet is 220V, you will need the services of a skilled, certified electrician to connect your tub. The tub will require a 50-amp, 240V Ground Fault circuit Interrupter on an outside wall sitting five to twenty-five feet from the hot tub.
Read up on what your city or state require, such as, some states say the tub must sit back at least five feet from the property line. Some states require fencing around your hot tub, while other states say that an approved hot tub cover serves as the safety barrier. Consider if your city or state has water restrictions.
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What Affects A Hot Tubs Electric Consumption
Frequency of use drives the cost to operate a hot tub up or down. The more use a hot tub receives, the more energy it requires. More use means more heat loss, which forces the hot tubs system and components to work harder.
Taking good care of your tub by using a high-quality, well-fitting insulated cover and cleaning the filters regularly will reduce your hot tubs electrical consumption.
Heating up your water adds more to your monthly electric bill than maintaining the water at a constant high temperature. After you heat up your new hot tub for the first time, your next electric bill will be slightly higher than it will be in subsequent months.
Spa water replacement is part of normal maintenance. With some systems, youll need to drain and refill the hot tub two to three times each year. After refilling your spa, the water will need to be heated, which will cause a small increase in your next electric bill
The latest Hot Spring innovation to offset the reheating costs is the FreshWater® salt water system. With proper care, this system will keep your water clean and fresh for up to a year.
Basement Level Hot Tub Wiring
If youre one of the many multi-story homeowners with a basement and now you want to add a hot tub in your backyard, but need the electrical setup for it to function, L& M Electric is here to serve your electrical wiring needs.
Well run the proper wiring from your basement panel to the outside of the house. And, well set up a disconnect for wiring the hot tub into the home electric system. This setup is definitely something you want professionally done, as crossing wires can lead to costly problems, especially when water is nearby. Do it right, and work with L& M Electric to safely make it happen.
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Preparing For Your New Hot Tub Preparing Your Electrical At Your Spas Location
Its looks like you have successfully determined that you could get a hot tub without a crane. Since you werent 100% sure on making the judgment call, was a good idea and we were more than happy to come out and take a look. So now that you are well on your way to getting started with your project, its time to prepare your spot.
For reference, this is what your electrical should look like when complete and ready
The first thing to do is get your electrical ready. Depending on the model you have your heart set on, you will need to run a dedicated electrical line to your spas location. While most spas operate off of 240v , there are still some smaller units that run just fine on 120v . Especially here in San Diego. Regardless of the voltage, a good electrician will be able to determine the gauge, or thickness, of wire that will be require for the hot tub to function properly. If you need help finding a capable electrician please contact us.
Now, somewhere between your homes main electrical panel and the hot tub, your electrician will install a GFCI sub-panel. This serves not only safety purposes but also makes service easier. Oh yeah, its also a requirement for being code compliant with your city. Usually, this sub-panel needs to be at least 5 away from the body of water, but physically viewable from the hot tub. That said, if your electrician is not familiar with the codes for your city, it is best to check with your local code enforcement office.
Hot Tub Electrical Installation
- Written by Sage C. on Apr 19, 2010To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.Reviewed by
Hot tub electrical installation is easy with the proper preparation. Based on the size of the tub, it may be a 120-volt or 240-volt unit. Smaller 120-volt units can simply be plugged into a receptacle, where larger units will require full electrical installation. In this guide, you will learn how to install a 240-volt hot tub on an exterior slab with above-ground wiring.
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Hot Tub Installation Design Ideas
In addition to selecting a hard surface that meets the recommended safety and maintenance criteria, consider textures and colors that will assist in enhancing the aesthetics of the area in which your spa will be installed. The decision to match, contrast, or blend the hard surface colors and textures with those of your spa should only be made after carefully researching your options.
The correct landscape around your spa will not only soften the adjacent hard surface areas, but will add life and much enjoyment to the environment. If the budget allows, you may want to consult with a Landscape Architect for expert advice.
Besides selecting the correct hard surfaces and landscape around your spa, the addition of the proper spa-side accessories will provide just the finishing touch that you are looking for. Spa steps, benches, towel racks, planter boxes, or an outdoor fireplace are just a few of the items that can be considered when accessorizing your spa.
Here are a few resources to help you brainstorm ideas for your spa environment:
Spas Requiring Dual 240v Gfci Subpanel Breakers
Certain models of Hot Spring and Caldera spas , require a special subpanel disconnects. These contain two separate GFCI breakers: one for the heater, and a second for the pump and other components.
These spas should not be wired to a single spa circuit breaker box such as our MW disconnect panel. Consult your owner’s manual, the dealer, or the manufacturer for installation information.
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Hot Tub Wiring Diagram
| Summary: Electrical Codes and Details for Spa and Hot Tub Wiring. Essentials for your installation, including the required GFCI Ground Fault protection and circuit wire size*. |
I like the idea of getting electrical help online, because hiring an electric can be very expensive. Luis from Jackson, Tennessee
What Size Breaker Do I Need For A Hot Tub
Just as there are different types of hot tubs, there are also different installation requirements. For example, you will need a 40, 50, OR 60 AMP 2-POLE GFCI breaker for a hot tub. You can also refer to the following wiring diagrams supplied by Master Spa, a leading manufacturer of hot tubs for both wiring a 120-volt and 240 volt outlet.
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