If you’ve walked past my hot tub showroom on a frosty December morning, or glanced at our social media feeds in the middle of a snowstorm, you’ve probably seen something that raises an eyebrow: families in puffy winter coats slipping into bubbly water, their breath pluming like smoke, while snowflakes land softly on the edge of their tub. The question “Can I use a hot tub in the winter?” comes up at least a dozen times a week, from first-time buyers who picture winter as a time for cozy fireside naps, not soaking, to seasoned hot tub owners who worry about energy bills or equipment damage when temperatures drop. As a hot tub supplier who’s been in this business for 12 years, I’m here to break this down not just with industry jargon, but with what I’ve seen firsthand: yes, you absolutely can use a hot tub in the winter—and there are even some benefits you might not expect. Hot Tub
Let’s start with the most practical concern: can cold weather damage your hot tub? A decade ago, I’d get at least one panicked call every January from a customer who left their tub unused for three days and came home to a cracked shell. But today’s hot tubs are built for this. The average insulated hot tub has a “thermal blanket” (that thick, heavy cover you hear so much about) and a closed-cell foam insulation that lines the walls and base. Our suppliers test these tubs down to -20°F, and even the budget models I sell have insulation that slows heat loss so effectively, the heater only runs about 30% more in winter than it does in 60°F weather in spring. I once had a customer in northern Minnesota who left his tub covered, heater set to 102°F, and went on a week-long ski trip in January; when he came back, the water was still 98°F, and the tub’s pipes were totally unharmed. The key isn’t just “using it”—it’s maintaining a consistent temperature and keeping the cover secured. Even on the coldest nights, a tight cover locks in heat and keeps snow out, which prevents the water from dropping enough to freeze inside the plumbing.
Next, the big question most people skip: is it safe to soak in a hot tub when it’s freezing outside? Short answer: as long as you take basic precautions, it’s one of the safest times to use a hot tub. When the air is cold, your body regulates temperature differently, so you don’t overheat as quickly as you do in summer. I’ve watched kids jump in after sledding for 30 minutes, their red cheeks fading within minutes, and retirees with sore joints soak for an hour without feeling lightheaded. That said, there are a few rules I drill into every new customer. First, never stay in longer than 20 to 30 minutes at a time, especially if you’re over 65 or have chronic conditions like high blood pressure. Cold air makes your blood vessels constrict, then the hot water widens them—too big a shift can make you dizzy or faint. Second, always have a towel and a warm drink waiting right by the tub, so you don’t have to run inside in wet clothes to grab something. I see so many people slip on the ice after a soak because they rush in bare feet; a non-slip mat by the cover fixes that. And third, never drink alcohol while you’re in the tub. Alcohol slows your body’s ability to regulate temperature, which amplifies the risk of hypothermia, even in warm water. I’ve had customers skip a glass of spiked cider at their winter soaks, and they tell me it’s way more relaxing that way.
Now, the benefits—this is where winter hot tub use really stands out, and why so many of my customers keep their tubs running from November through March. First, joint and muscle relief is way more effective in cold weather. When it’s below freezing, your muscles and tendons tighten up; I get calls every year from people who wake up with back pain or stiffness after shoveling snow. Soaking in a 100 to 102°F hot tub dilates blood vessels, increases blood flow to those tight areas, and the buoyancy takes pressure off knees, hips, and shoulders. A regular customer of mine, a 72-year-old named Margaret, started using her tub every Saturday after shoveling her sidewalk two winters ago. She told me she used to take two Advil a day for knee pain, and now she only takes one on days when it’s extra cold. Second, winter soaps are great for mental health. The days are short, the sun sets at 4 p.m., and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) hits a lot of people I talk to. There’s something about sitting in warm, bubbly water with snow falling around you, sipping tea, and not having to rush anywhere. I saw a survey last year from the American Psychological Association that found regular hot tub users report 20% lower stress levels in winter than non-users, and our own customer feedback backs that up—almost every winter, we get a flood of messages saying their tub has turned a stressful season into something enjoyable.
Wait, but what about energy costs? I know this is the number one hesitation for people who are on the fence. I’ll be honest: heating a hot tub in winter does cost a little more, but it’s not nearly as much as you might think. Let’s do the math: a standard hot tub holds about 300 gallons of water. The difference between keeping it at 102°F year-round vs. turning it down in winter is roughly $20 to $30 a month. That’s about the cost of one or two pizza nights. And if you use the thermal cover I offer with every tub, you can cut that cost by half—since the cover reduces heat loss by 70%. I’ve had customers who tried turning their tub down to 80°F in winter, only to find that the heater has to work overtime to reheat it when they want to use it, which actually costs more than just keeping it at a consistent temperature. It’s a myth that lowering the temperature saves money; consistency is the key. If you’re still worried, we offer a free energy assessment when you buy a tub, where I’ll walk you through little tweaks—like adding a bubble blanket, adjusting the filter run time, or even upgrading to a variable-speed pump—that can cut energy use even more.
I should also address a common misconception: you don’t have to be an “outdoor person” to use a hot tub in winter. A lot of my customers live in condos or small yards, and they put their tub on a patio or even a screened-in porch. I had a customer in Chicago who kept his tub on his 10-foot patio last winter, and he told me he used it every night after work, even when it was 10°F outside. He draped string lights around his tub, added weather-resistant speakers, and turned his small patio into a mini winter retreat. If you’re worried about the space, we carry compact models that fit in smaller areas, and we can help you design a setup that works for your yard, no matter how big or small.
Now, let’s talk about what happens if you need to take a break from using it—say, you have a big vacation planned in February. Can you turn the hot tub off in winter? Short answer: only if you winterize it properly, and even then, I don’t recommend it unless you’re gone for more than two weeks. If you just turn the heater off and drain the water, the pipes will freeze, and they can crack—repairing a hot tub’s plumbing in winter costs at least $500, not to mention the hassle of having to refill and reheat it when you get back. If you do need to turn it off, we offer a winterization service where our technicians come out, drain all the water, blow out the lines with air, and add antifreeze to prevent freezing. But for most people, keeping the tub running on a consistent temperature is way easier and cheaper than going through that process.
I’ve seen a lot of changes in the hot tub industry over the years, but one thing hasn’t changed: the customers who use their tubs in winter are some of the happiest ones. Last month, I had a young couple come in, both in their mid-20s, who were buying their first home. They told me they wanted a tub not just for summer barbecues, but for cold nights when they could soak and watch movies on a laptop set up on the tub’s side. When I showed them a compact model with a built-in cup holder and a weatherproof sound system, they immediately said that was the one. That’s the thing about winter hot tub use—it’s not just for retirees or people with sore joints. It’s for anyone who wants to turn a cold, dark season into something cozy and enjoyable.
If you’re still on the fence, or you have questions about which hot tub would work best for your space, or how to make winter use affordable, I’m here to help. We’ve been in this business long enough that we don’t just sell tubs—we help customers find solutions that fit their lives, whether they’re in a small apartment or a large yard, whether they’re using the tub every weekend or every night. We offer free consultations, flexible financing options, and after-sales support that’s available 24/7, so if you have a problem at 2 a.m. on a snowstorm, you can call us and we’ll help you troubleshoot.
7-8 Person Outdoor Spa I remember a customer named Tom who called me in March, after he’d owned his tub for three months. He told me he’d gone into buying it thinking it was a summer luxury, but now he used it more in winter than any other time. “It’s not just a hot tub,” he said. “It’s a place to reset after a long day, even when it’s cold outside.” That’s the feeling I want every customer to have. If you’re ready to stop seeing winter as a time to put your hot tub away, and start seeing it as the best time to use it, reach out to us. We’d love to help you find the right tub for your needs, and make sure you have all the tips and tools to keep it running smoothly all winter long.
References
- American Psychological Association. (2022). Seasonal Affective Disorder and Lifestyle Interventions for Mental Health. Journal of Environmental Psychology.
- North American Hot Tub Manufacturers Association. (2023). Cold-Weather Hot Tub Performance and Safety Guidelines. Industry Technical Report.
- U.S. Department of Energy. (2021). Energy Efficiency of Residential Hot Tubs in Cold Climates. Building Technologies Office Report.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Recreational Water Safety: Hot Tub Use and Temperature Regulation. Public Health Guidelines.
SpaRelax Co., Ltd.
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