Cornwall’s winters are mild compared to most of the UK, but they’re not mild enough to ignore. Most hot tub owners here don’t need to shut theirs down for winter at all. A smaller number do, usually holiday-let owners with a property standing empty for weeks at a time. This covers both situations properly.
Most hot tubs should keep running through winter
Unlike a swimming pool, a hot tub is built to be used year-round, and honestly, winter is when a lot of owners use theirs the most. If you’re living in the property and using the hot tub regularly, or even occasionally, the right approach is simply to keep it running, keep the cover on when it’s not in use, and keep testing the water as normal. Draining a hot tub you’re still using through winter creates more work and more risk than it solves.
When draining down properly makes sense
If a property will be empty for an extended stretch, a holiday let with no bookings over winter, or a house left unoccupied while you’re away, an unmonitored hot tub is a genuine risk. Nobody’s there to notice a leak, a fault, or a cover that’s blown off in a storm. In that situation, properly draining the hot tub down is often the safer option.
How to drain a hot tub properly
- Turn off the power at the isolator before doing anything else.
- Drain the water fully, including from the pump and heater, not just the main shell. Trapped water left in pipework can freeze and crack components even if the shell itself is empty.
- Remove and clean the filter, and store it somewhere dry.
- Wipe down the shell and cover to stop mould or mildew building up while it’s out of use.
- Leave the cover on, secured properly, to keep out debris and rain.
If you’re not confident doing this yourself, particularly the parts involving the pump and heater, it’s worth having it done properly rather than guessing. Water left where it shouldn’t be is the most common cause of frost damage we see on hot tubs that were “drained” without draining the equipment itself.
Getting it running again in spring
A hot tub that’s been properly drained for winter needs refilling, a full equipment check, and fresh chemical balancing before it’s back in normal use. Don’t assume it’s ready just because it’s full of water again. Give it time to heat properly and test the water before anyone gets in.
Holiday lets specifically
If your hot tub is at a holiday-let property, the decision to drain for winter or keep it running usually comes down to your booking calendar. A property with steady winter bookings should probably keep the hot tub running and serviced as normal. One that’s genuinely empty for months might be better off drained. We can talk through which makes sense for your specific booking pattern.
Looking after a running tub through the cold months
If you are keeping the tub going over winter, a few habits make it a lot easier. Keep the cover in good condition and always clipped down when the tub is not in use, because a tired, waterlogged cover is where most of your heat, and money, escapes in cold weather. Brush snow off the cover rather than leaving it to sit, since the weight can damage it over time. Keep an eye on the water level, as a low level in a cold snap is more likely to let air into the pipework. And keep up with the filter cleaning and water testing as normal. Cold water does not need less care, it just needs you to be a bit more diligent about the cover and the level.
The real winter risk: a power cut in a hard frost
The thing that actually damages hot tubs in winter is not the cold itself, it is losing power during a freeze. A running tub keeps its water moving and warm, which is what stops it freezing. If the power goes off for a long spell while it is genuinely icy, the water sitting still in the pipes and pump can start to freeze and expand, and that is where cracked fittings and split pipes come from. Many tubs have a freeze-protection mode that kicks the pumps in when the temperature drops, but that only works while there is power. If you lose power for an extended period in a hard frost, and especially if you cannot get back to the property quickly, it is worth calling us for advice rather than hoping it rides it out. For holiday lets standing empty, this is the single biggest reason owners choose either to drain down properly or to have us keeping an eye on things.
Keeping winter running costs sensible
Winter is when a hot tub costs the most to run, simply because it is working hardest to hold temperature against the cold. The good news is that the biggest savings are the simple things. A well-fitting, good-condition cover is the single most effective one, and a floating thermal blanket under the cover helps further. Keeping the tub at a steady temperature rather than dropping it right down and reheating it repeatedly is usually more efficient for a tub in regular use. And a tub that has been serviced and is running efficiently will always cost less to keep warm than one struggling with a clogged filter or a tired heater.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to just switch the tub off for winter?
Only if you are genuinely not going to use it for a long stretch, and even then it needs draining down properly rather than just switched off, or you risk frost damage. If you are using it at all, keeping it running and well covered is usually the better call, because repeatedly heating a big volume of water from cold is not cheap either.
Can I use the hot tub in frost or snow?
Yes, and plenty of people say it is the best time to be in one. The water stays warm, and getting in while it is frosty is part of the appeal. Just take care on any icy steps or decking around the tub, and get the cover back on the moment you are finished so it does not lose heat.
What should I do if we get a power cut in freezing weather?
If it is a short cut, the tub will usually be fine, as it holds its heat for a while. If the power is off for a long spell during a hard frost, that is when freeze damage becomes a risk. Get the power back on as soon as you can, and if you are worried or cannot get to the property, call us for advice on what to check.
Do I need to change the water less often in winter?
Not really. Water changes are based on how much the tub is used and how the water is holding up, not the season. A tub used heavily through winter still needs its regular changes. We can set a sensible schedule around how you actually use it.
Need help either way?
Whether you want your hot tub properly drained and secured for winter, or you’d rather keep it running and just want reassurance it’s ready for the colder months, get in touch and we’ll sort it properly.
See our servicing page | Holiday-let hot tub support | Get in touch
Reviewed by the Coastal Hot Tubs and Wellness team.
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