Does A Jacuzzi Bathtub Use More Water Than A Standard Bathtub?

Completing the first-ever integrated whirlpool bathtub in 1968, Roy Jacuzzi made history with his take on a jetted tub. Over the past five decades, Jacuzzi bathtubs have grown immensely popular, allowing homeowners to incorporate a spa-like experience into their own homes. However, this luxury does not come cheap, with base model tubs priced at around $1,500. Standard tubs, in comparison, can cost as little as $300 in most big-box home improvement stores.

Installation and maintenance costs tend to heavily influence homeowners' decisions on interior upgrades around the house. Adding a new bathtub of any kind to a home's bathroom can positively impact its resale value, so some may consider the extra expenses worth the effort. It is important, though, for homeowners to take into account how installing new appliances will affect their total water and energy usage. With these factors in mind, is investing in a Jacuzzi bathtub worth it? Here's how a standard tub and a Jacuzzi tub differ from each other, along with which uses more water.

While Jacuzzi bathtubs and their more traditional counterparts have much in common, the two are quite different in terms of functionality. A standard tub isn't usually equipped with any special features that enhance your bathing experience. While some manufacturers design special models for the elderly or those with disabilities, baths across all standard models are usually fairly similar.

Jacuzzi bathtubs, on the other hand, come with several functions that make bathing and soaking more enjoyable. Jacuzzis are perhaps best known for their water jets, which massage certain parts of the body for a soothing sensation. These jetted baths are especially beneficial for treating arthritis or other forms of joint pain, inflammation, or soreness. Some types of Jacuzzi bathtubs also use heat and air, which has been proven to increase blood circulation throughout the body, which in turn, allows your internal organs to function more efficiently, explains Bathing Solutions. 

Both Jacuzzis and standard bathtubs vary in size and design, but Jacuzzi tubs normally run larger than standard tubs, and as a result, require more water for proper use. A standard tub holds anywhere from 40 to 110 gallons of water, whereas a soaker tub, a larger tub with dimensions similar to a Jacuzzi bath, can hold anywhere from 100 to 250 gallons of water, depending on the size, shape, and model. 

Aside from the length and width of the tub, the shape and depth also impact the amount of water it can hold, and some jacuzzi baths are designed to hold two or more persons. Moreover, a person's weight affects a tub's ideal capacity, as well, since heavier people will make standing water rise higher up the tub's edge.

Not only will Jacuzzi tubs run up your water bill, but they may also increase your energy costs. For instance, an outdoor hot tub may raise your utility costs upwards of $50 each month. Because you'll likely use an indoor Jacuzzi more often than a tub outside, your utility costs may escalate even further — so, before making the leap to upgrade your bath, first, consider how the purchase will affect your pocket in the long term.