Your Guide to Sustainable Hot Tubbing

Wood-fired hot tubs offer a uniquely relaxing experience: natural heat, starry skies, and a deep connection to nature. But they also come with environmental responsibilities. Whether you live off-grid or simply cherish mindful living, here’s how to ensure your hot tub soaks remain eco-conscious and regenerative.

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1. Choose Sustainable Fuel

Sustainable wood is the cornerstone of an eco-friendly soak:

• Seasoned hardwoods like oak, maple, or ash with moisture below 20% burn cleanly and efficiently, reducing emissions and needing less wood.

Alternative biofuels, such as soy logs or recycled wood pallets, may work if certified sustainably and used with proper fire safety.

💡 Tip: Look for wood from certified sustainable forests (FSC or SFI). When burned, these materials release carbon that’s offset by tree regrowth—making each soak part of a closed carbon cycle  .

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2. Maximize Energy Efficiency

Efficiency means less wood, less smoke, and more heat:

• Internal fireboxes—submerged “snorkel” stoves—heat water directly and faster than external models.

• Insulation matters: Use rigid insulation beneath your tub and fitted lids above the water to reduce heat loss   .

• Seasonal efficiency: Insulation pays off even more during colder months, reducing fuel needs and extending heat.

Think of your tub as a small sauna: sealable and insulated, it keeps warmth in and heat demand low.

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3. Water Use & Reuse

Water is a precious resource—especially for off-grid or drought-prone areas:

• Chemical-free soaks: Drain every 4–6 days (fresh water) or 7–10 days (salt water).

• Water conservation: Collect rainwater or draw from natural sources (lake, spring, well).

• Repurpose drained water: If chemical-free, use it to irrigate gardens, wash tools, or refill ponds—nourishing your ecosystem.

By looping water in and out of nature safely, your tub becomes part of a natural water cycle.

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4. Use Eco-Friendly Water Treatments (When Needed)

For frequent use or multi-day stays:

• Safe, biodegradable sanitizers like hydrogen peroxide or this natural hot tub cleaner help extend water life. Always:

• Dilute properly before adding.

• Neutralize treated water before draining into soil or bodies of water.  

• Saltwater fills: Natural ocean or saline spring water can last up to twice as long as fresh water.

If using chemicals, neutralization is a must for protecting local ecosystems.

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5. Opt for Sustainable Materials

Choose tubs built from eco-responsible materials:

• Locally harvested wood (cedar, redwood) from FSC/SFI forests reduces transport emissions   .

• Metal liners (aluminum, stainless steel) are hygienic and fully recyclable, leaving minimal environmental footprint at end-of-life .

• Avoid single-use plastics; choose sustainable covers, pumps, and accessories.

A lifespan that matches multi-generational use ensures every soak is part of a durable legacy.

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6. Care and Maintenance with Minimal Impact

Maintaining tubing often means managing water and wood impacts:

• Daily: Skim debris, shower before soaking, cover lids when not in use.

• Weekly: Drain and rinse lightly with mild soap or vinegar.

• Monthly: Deep clean, scrub with baking soda for scale, and rinse thoroughly. Clean ash and soot from firebox and chimney.

• Seasonally: Inspect wood for sealing or oiling; service metal liners; replenish installed insulation if needed.

Consistent care prevents major maintenance and ensures clean, healthy soaks.

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7. Manage Smoke and Fire Safety

Summer heat bans or dry seasons can restrict wood fires:

• Use dry, low-moisture fuel to minimize smoke.

• Burn smart: Use fire starters, maintain airflow, control embers, and ash regularly.

• Respect regulations: Be proactive by checking local fire safety rules and burning permits.

Clear combustion not only protects health—it keeps you in line with local air quality standards.

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8. Store Wood Responsibly

How you store wood affects sustainability:

• Keep it dry and covered, off the ground.

• Burn first in, burn first out—use oldest wood first to avoid waste.

• Local supply storage: Buying wood within 50–100 miles minimizes transport emissions.

Plan for the whole wood-cycle from sourcing to burn.

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9. Explore Renewable Heat Options

Hybrid heating supports sustainability:

• Solar heaters offer renewable warmth and blend well with seasonal wood heat.

• Propane or electric boosters can provide quick top-ups or be used during burn bans.

• Smart controls: Use timers or thermostats to avoid overuse and unnecessary heating  .

The future is hybrid—combining the best of low-carbon efficiency with off-grid independence.

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10. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

To maintain your eco-commitment:

• Reduce waste: Choose reusable towels and accessories.

• Reuse water whenever possible.

• Recycle packaging and materials at end-of-life (metal liners, wood, insulation).

Sustainability is holistic—not just about use, but also about closure and next life for materials.

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11. Embrace Ritual as Sustainability

Slow, intentional practices foster eco-awareness:

• Chop and stack wood mindfully: Treat it as part of your seasonal rhythm.

• Monitor fire and heat-up: Engage with the process.

• Enjoy the moment: Let your soak be a mindful escape—not just a benefit to cross off.

Ritual connects us emotionally to sustainable living.

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12. New in 2025: Sustainability Trends in Hot Tubs

Modern upgrades make hot tubs greener:

• Biodegradable covers and seats: Less plastic, more compost-friendly.

• Energy-efficient insulation systems: Closed-cell foam and vacuum panels use fewer materials for better performance      .

• Smart tech: Remote on/off heating control and energy tracking save power and money.

• Water-reuse filtration: Carbon and UV systems now retrofit easily to natural tubs.

Sustainability is becoming mainstream in spa design.

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13. Measuring Your Carbon Impact

Quantify your soaking:

• 1 cubic meter of wood stores ~582 kg CO₂—if from sustainable forests.

• Burning wood releases that CO₂, but replacing trees recaptures it over time   .

• For low-frequency soaks (<2× per week), your carbon usage is small if fueled responsibly.

• Consider offsetting by planting a tree or buying carbon credits—small acts amplify sustainability.

Use your soak to teach mental connection between comfort and carbon.

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14. Seasonal Care & Long-Term Stewardship

Keep your tub part of your land:

• Spring: Reassemble after thaw, clean thoroughly, check seals.

• Summer: Store wood responsibly, respect burn bans, inspect insulation.

• Fall: Replace seals and check lids; prep wood for winter.

• Winter: Drain when unused, keep ember-heated during use to prevent freezing.

Staying in tune with the seasons keeps your tub—and eco-values—aligned with nature.

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🌿 Final Thoughts

A wood-fired hot tub—when used thoughtfully—can be one of the greenest ways to soak. Sustainability lies in:

• Using responsible wood.

• Maximizing heat efficiency.

• Reusing water.

• Choosing recyclable materials.

• Managing smoke and maintenance mindfully.

• Embracing slow, celebratory rituals.

Whether nestled in pine forests, perched lakeside, or resting under suburban skies, a green approach makes your soak part of the planet’s renewal, not its cost.

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🌱 Your Sustainable Soak Checklist

1. Wood: Seasoned or briquettes from certified sources

2. Fuel & fire: Use dry wood and optimize stove performance

3. Insulation: Under tub, sealed lid, seasonal wrap

4. Water: Fill mindfully, drink and reuse carefully

5. Chemical treatment: Use only when needed with neutralization

6. Materials: Favor metal liners, FSC timber, recyclable components

7. Care: Daily skims, periodic deep clean, annual checks

8. Smoke: Burn cleanly, respect local regs

9. Wood storage: Dry, local, FIFO usage

10. Hybrid options: Boost efficiency and support sustainability

11. Recycle: End-of-life lumber, liner, packaging

12. Ritual: Slow living, season-awareness, mindful soaking

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Words by Launne Kolla, Sustainability Expert and founder of Do More Good.

Since I have been an adult, I have longed to own a hot tub. To be able to relax in hot water with a drink in my hand, after a long day of work….it sounds magical. But hot tubs and the environment don’t really mix- do they? Usually hot tubs use a ton of electricity to keep your water hot, and a lot of harsh chemicals to keep it clean. When refilling the water, many people just empty their hot tubs into their yard, introducing these harsh chemicals into their soil and waterways. To be honest, these are some of the reasons why I have never purchased one.

However, I truly believe that if you do a little research, you can always find a more sustainable option. As we are all becoming more conscious of our environmental impacts, many people are looking towards sustainable options in all aspects of their lives. Hot tubs are no different, which is why I was ecstatic when I came across this wood burning hot tub. As a sustainability expert, I absolutely love everything about these cedar hot tubs. As a family owned Canadian business they make their wood fired hot tubs out of FSC Certified Canadian Western Red Cedar, and infinitely recyclable marine grade aluminum. They use zero waste production, reduce their carbon emissions and participate in 1% for the planet. It gives you that essential hot tub experience, with the rustic charm of using wood heat. And better yet, once you buy your wood fired tub - there are ways to make it even more sustainable when you use it. 

Here are my top ways to maximize the sustainability of your wood-fired hot tub, each and every time you use it.

Use Locally Sourced Wood

If you have trees on your property, see who can gather up the most dead wood between your friends and family. Make a game of it with your kids! Grab small branches, logs and stumps. The drier the wood the better the burn! 

If you don’t have access to your own wood, see if someone near you is giving some away. This might be as simple as your neighbour removing an old tree in their yard and having no use for the wood. If you do need to purchase wood for your hot tub, find some high quality, sustainably sourced wood that is local to you. Never use treated or painted wood - this can give off harmful chemicals while burning.

Keeping It Warm

 Normal hot tubs can cost you about $25-$80 CAD a month in energy costs, just to keep it warm when you aren’t even using it. A wood-fired hot tub is inherently more sustainable as it is only using energy when you are using it! Users say you can keep your water hot for just an armful of wood a day! However, this wood fired hot tub does give you the option to pair your tub with a secondary heating and filtration system. This can make using your tub more convenient as it makes the water in your tub last longer, it won’t freeze in the winter and you can use your tub during fire bans (which happen all too often during the summer). To make this hookup as environmentally friendly as possible, use a solar panel to provide your electricity. This ensures that you are enjoying your AlumiTub without the need for non-renewable energy sources. Whichever way you enjoy your tub, adding a lid and extra insulation will help keep your water as warm as possible.

Conserve Your Water

This is essential for sustainable hot tubbing. Instead of draining and refilling your water after every use, try to extend the life of the water in your tub. Before hopping in, always have a quick shower to clean off your body and feet. This will rinse off oils from soaps, lotions, shampoos and even laundry detergent. Keeping a lid on the hot tub when not in use will also help to keep debris from entering your tub and prevent evaporation from lowering your water levels. Adding some safe and effective chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or bromine to your tub can also help you to use the same water for a longer period of time. Less refilling and more relaxing! 

Empty Your Tub

When you do need to empty your hot tub, use the water for good. If you can, empty the water into your yard - your flowers and garden will thank you! Just be sure to neutralize the water before you drain it, if you have been using chemicals. Once your tub is empty, just give it a simple wipe. Marine grade aluminum is naturally hygienic, so it’s super easy to clean. And don’t forget about emptying out your ash! Instead of throwing it in your trash can, it can be used as a fertilizer for your garden or placed in your compost pile. Wood ash has essential nutrients that help promote plant growth and enrich the soil. Who knew your garden could benefit so much from your hot tub?

Shout It From The Rooftops! 

Lastly, be sure to tell your friends how you are making your hot tub experience more eco-friendly. This will encourage them to look for ways to be more sustainable in their own hot tub routines, and likely in other aspects in their lives. Even the smallest changes done by many people can lead to a large positive impact.   

Not only are these cedar hot tubs one of the most sustainably made hot tubs on the market, but the company gives you so many different options as to how you can use their tubs more sustainably. With thoughtful consideration, enjoying your hot tub can be both relaxing and sustainable. By choosing sustainable wood, maximizing your heating efficiency and conserving water to the best of your ability; a few mindful changes can go a long way. 

Now go enjoy your soak, sustainably!