Electric supply for your hot tub
A simple guide to what needs to be prepared before your hot tub arrives.
What electricity supply do I need for my hot tub?
We're often asked this question by potential new customers looking at our range of hot tubs.
Whether you're looking for a 13A Plug & Play model or one of our 32A hard-wired models, we're here to let you know what you need to do before the wonderful day when your hot tub arrives.
What type of hot tub are you thinking of?
13A Plug & Play hot tubs
A straightforward way to get connected. A 13A Plug & Play hot tub uses a standard UK 3-pin plug and connects to a suitable outdoor socket.
Our Plug & Play hot tubs come with cable and plug already.
Before delivery, you’ll need to make sure the socket and electrical supply are suitable for your chosen hot tub.
What do I need to do?
You need to get your electrician to install an outdoor, waterproof plug socket with RCD protection.
We highly recommend using an MK IP66-rated outdoor socket available from all major electrical retailers.
The socket should ideally be around 2 metres from the hot tub, but definitely no closer than 1 metre. An electrician will generally charge around £50-150 for this.
32A Hard-wired hot tubs
A 32A hot tub needs a dedicated electrical circuit from your home’s consumer unit (fuse box), with a fixed connection to the hot tub.
Before arranging any work, confirm your chosen model’s electrical requirements with our team and share them with your electrician.
What do I need to do?
The hot tub needs to be hard wired on its own fused spur back to your household consumer unit, not sharing a supply with any other appliances.
The hot tub needs to be protected by an MCB and needs to cover 40 Amps to allow for any initial rush of current when the pumps are started.
You'll need an IP65 Rotary Isolator Switch - so the hot tub can be switched off from the main supply for maintenance or service work, or even in an emergency.
The isolator should be within 2 metres of where the hot tub will go, with a 6 metre tail of 6mm² 3-core SWA cable to go to the hot tub - we'll use this to connect it on the day.
If the tail of wire isn't present we cannot complete the installation.
An electrician will typically charge around £250-300 for this work, depending on the size of your property and length of cabling required.
FAQs
Do I need an electrician for a Plug & Play hot tub?
Plug & Play makes connecting your hot tub straightforward, but the socket and electrical supply still need to be suitable.
Ask a qualified electrician to check your existing outdoor supply or install a suitable weatherproof socket with the correct RCD protection. Having a socket in the garden doesn’t automatically mean it’s ready for a hot tub.
Can I use my existing outdoor socket or garden electrics?
Possibly. Your electrician will need to check the circuit’s capacity, condition, protection and location against your chosen hot tub’s requirements.
This also applies if you’re replacing an older hot tub. Have the supply checked before connecting your new one, even if the previous hot tub used it without problems.
Should I arrange an electrician before ordering my hot tub?
You can ask an electrician to assess your property and provide a quote while you’re choosing your hot tub. This can help you understand the preparation involved and plan your budget.
Before any work begins, confirm your chosen model and its electrical requirements with us. Arrange for the supply to be completed and tested ahead of delivery.
What should I tell my electrician?
Give your electrician the exact hot tub model and its installation requirements, and show them where you want it positioned. Let them know if you’re planning to add a heat pump, too.
They can then assess your existing electrics, plan the cable route and specify the appropriate cable, protection and connection arrangements. Confirm any cable needed for the final connection with our team before the work is completed.
Where should the socket or isolator go?
Agree the position with your electrician before installation. It needs to meet the electrical safety requirements for the location and your hot tub’s installation instructions.
Show your electrician the proposed position of the hot tub, including its orientation. They should also account for the supplied lead or final connection cable, so everything reaches safely without an extension lead.
Can I run my hot tub from an extension lead?
No. Plan for your hot tub to connect directly to a suitable electrical supply, without an extension lead, cable reel or multiway adaptor.
If the connection won’t reach, ask your electrician to provide a suitable supply in the correct position. Don’t stretch the cable or improvise a connection.
How much will the electrical work cost?
The cost depends on your property and the work required. The distance from your fuse box, the cable route, your existing electrical installation and any upgrades can all affect the quote.
Ask a qualified electrician to assess the job and provide a written quote based on your chosen hot tub’s requirements. It’s a useful step to take while planning your purchase.
Does H2O arrange the electrical supply?
You’re responsible for arranging a qualified electrician to prepare a suitable supply before delivery. Preparing your household electrics isn’t included in our hot tub installation service.
Before delivery, confirm the final connection arrangements with our team so you and your electrician know exactly what needs to be ready.
I haven’t chosen a hot tub yet. Can you help?
Absolutely. You don’t need to understand the technical details before speaking to us.
Call our friendly team on 0333 990 0320. We’ll help you choose a hot tub and confirm its electrical requirements, so you can brief your electrician with confidence.