Yes, you can enjoy a hot tub in summer. The trick is to change how you use it, not to shut it down. Soak in the cooler hours, turn the set point down, keep the cover on between uses, and test the water more often, because heat and sun work against your sanitizer. Master Spas recommends keeping the spa running at a lower setting rather than turning it off, since a shutdown means draining, refilling and rebalancing later.
For exact temperature numbers, see our ideal hot tub temperature guide.
Can you use a hot tub in summer?
You can, and plenty of owners do. Hot Spring points out that even the hottest regions are not hot all day: in dry climates the air cools in the late afternoon and bottoms out overnight, which makes dusk, night and dawn good times to soak.
Using a hot tub in summer: what changes
Most of your routine stays the same. A few habits shift with the season:
| Habit | Cold months | Summer |
|---|---|---|
| Soak time of day | Any time | Early morning, evening or after a cooling rain |
| Set point | Warmer | A few degrees lower, or economy mode |
| Cover | On to hold heat | Still on between soaks to block debris and cut evaporation |
| Water testing | Regular routine | More often, since heat and sun use up sanitizer faster |
| Top-offs | Occasional | Small, frequent top-offs to replace evaporation |
| Running cost | Higher heating load | Lower heating load in most climates |
Hot tub in hot weather: timing, shade and settings
Soak when the air is cooler
Hot Spring suggests twilight, dusk and dawn as the best summer soaking windows. In humid regions, a summer rain can break a hot spell, and Hot Spring notes you can even soak in light rain as long as there is no thunder or lightning. If you hear thunder, stay out of the water.
Add shade
Master Spas recommends a shade sail or an offset umbrella. Shade also helps your sanitizer last longer.
Use economy or sleep mode
Master Spas suggests using economy or sleep mode if your tub has it, so the heater holds a lower temperature with less power. Canadian Spa Company control panels offer a Rest mode that heats only during filter cycles; our temperature guide explains Ready vs Rest mode and what the manuals say about each.
How to keep a cool hot tub in summer
- Turn the set point down. Master Spas notes most tubs can be set fairly low, depending on the model, so the spa becomes a cool soak with the jets still running.
- Watch for heat creep. In hot weather, a well insulated tub can drift above its set point from pump heat. Our temperature guide covers the manufacturer advice on venting the cover. Follow your own owner’s manual before leaving the cover off or propped.
- Consider active cooling. Master Spas mentions adding a heat pump that can cool as well as heat. Some units are built to chill: the Borealis 69 in. All-in-One Cold Plunge and Hot Tub ($7,999) has a built-in chiller and heater with a listed range of 37°F to 104°F.
Should you turn off a hot tub in summer?
Master Spas advises against it. Turning the spa off usually means draining and refilling, and stagnant or empty equipment can lead to algae, odors and buildup in the plumbing. Restarting also means rebalancing the water, priming the pumps and sometimes troubleshooting. After a refill, our hot tub airlock guide shows how to bleed trapped air.
Summer water care
Warm weather is harder on water chemistry. Master Spas says bacteria and algae can grow more quickly in the hot summer months, so stay on your regular chemical routine. Leslie’s explains, for pools, that the sun’s UV rays break down chlorine and that extreme heat uses chlorine up faster. The same forces apply to a hot tub whenever the lid is open in full sun, and more guests means more work for the sanitizer.
- Test more often during heat waves and after parties. Our Canadian Spa Company Spa Test Strips, 50 Pack ($24.99) make quick checks easy.
- Keep the cover on between soaks to block debris and limit evaporation, per Master Spas.
- Top off with small amounts of fresh water to replace what evaporates, which Master Spas says helps keep chemistry balanced and prevents scaling.
- Before you get in, Master Spas suggests a quick check: the water should be clear and smell fresh, not of chemicals.
What a hot tub costs to run in summer
Summer is usually the cheaper season. Heat loss depends largely on the gap between water and air temperature, and that gap shrinks when it is warm out and you lower the set point. Our hot tub running cost guide walks through the formula and worked examples, and our hot tub insulation guide explains why the cover and cabinet matter year round.
Health and safety in the heat
- Hydrate. Master Spas safety guidance advises staying hydrated and monitoring how you feel. Leslie’s recommends a drink of water every 20 to 30 minutes when you are out in the heat.
- Keep soaks short. Master Spas cites a 20 minute soak as a common recommendation and suggests lowering the temperature if you plan to stay in longer.
- Know the warning signs. Leslie’s lists headache, nausea and a fast heart rate with dry skin as signs of heat stroke, and heavy sweating with clammy skin as signs of heat exhaustion. Get out, cool down and call 911 for heat stroke.
- Kids. Master Spas recommends lowering the temperature when children will be in the water and supervising them at all times. See our temperature guide for specifics.
- Pregnancy. Talk to your doctor before using a hot tub while pregnant.
- Poolside basics. Use plastic cups, and keep plug-in electronics and extension cords away from the spa.
This is general information, not medical advice. If you have a heart condition, blood pressure concerns or take medication, check with your doctor before soaking.
Hot tubs we carry that suit summer use
| Model | Price | Summer friendly detail |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Spa Yukon 2-Person 16-Jet Plug and Play | $7,749 | Plugs into a standard 15A outlet; locking hardtop cover; AO3P purification |
| Canadian Spa Calgary 4-Person 24-Jet Plug and Play | $8,449 | 15A plug in; Glacier filtration; Bluetooth for evening soaks |
| Canadian Spa Ottawa 5-Person 38-Jet | $9,999.99 | Ozone generator; LED lighting; 240V 50A |
| Canadian Spa Richmond 6-Person 27-Jet Plug and Play | $10,249 | Ozone generator; lounger and two captain’s chairs; 15A plug in |
| American Spas Dual Voltage 6-Person 18-Jet | $7,100 | Ozonator; cover rated for 1,500 UV hours |
| Borealis 69 in. Cold Plunge and Hot Tub | $7,999 | Built-in chiller, 37°F to 104°F |
Browse the full Canadian Spa Company line, or start with our hot tub buying guide. If daily cover removal is a chore, a Top Mount Cover Lifter ($299.99) fits spas up to 96 inches wide and needs about 10 inches of clearance behind the tub. Plug and play models run on a standard outlet, but any hardwired tub needs a licensed electrician, and local code has the final word.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a hot tub in summer?
Yes. Soak in the morning or evening, lower the set point, add shade and keep up with water care.
Should I turn off my hot tub in summer?
Master Spas recommends keeping it running at a lower setting. Shutting down usually means a drain, refill and rebalance.
How do I keep a cool hot tub in summer?
Lower the set point, use economy or rest mode, shade the tub, and follow your manual on cover venting if the water creeps above the set point. A unit with a built-in chiller can actively cool the water.
Is it safe to use a hot tub in hot weather?
For most healthy adults, short, cooler soaks with plenty of water are the usual advice. Get out if you feel dizzy or overheated, and ask your doctor first if you are pregnant or have a health condition.
Questions about a hot tub for summer?
Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. Shipping is free freight on orders of $999 or more, and $200 flat below that. See our return and refund policy for return details.
