Energy Efficiency and Hot Tubs!
With energy prices going up every day efficiency is big concern for those shopping for a hot tub and for those who already own one. Here are some energy efficient tips for those soon to be relaxing and the ones that are currently relaxing in their spas.
For those of you who are shopping for your new spa there are a few things to keep in mind.
1. Insulation- this is a must have for a hot tub especially when living in a cold climate. Now I am not talking about a flimsy blanket hanging inside the cabinet or a little layer of sprayed on low density foam on the shell- you want high density, closed cell full foam insulation throughout your spa from the shell to the cabinet panel. Remember that air is not an insulator- do you insulate your home with air? Nope- you have insulation in your walls. Not only does the full foam insulation in a spa help with energy efficiency it also helps reduce noise and keeps the plumbing supported lessening the stress on joints.
2. Pumps- besides the heater these are the guys that suck up energy. To get a great massage you don’t need pumps with ridiculous amounts of horsepower- 2.5 is usually the biggest a tub would need. It comes down to how the tub is plumbed- a spa with a smaller pump might feel stronger than a bigger pump and a bigger pump is going to cost more to run. You also don’t need the big pumps to help filter the water, a small low watt circulation pump will do the trick and be much more energy efficient.
3. Heater- this is the other culprit for lots of energy consumption, but there are more efficient heaters. Ones that directly heat the water thru a coil are more efficient. The least efficient way of heating the water is by using the heat generated from the pumps. Using already present hot air might sound energy efficient, but think of it this way-would you use the heat from your dryer exhaust vent to heat water for a cup of tea?
So you already own a hot tub and you want to make sure that you are being efficient.
1. How old is your cover? Is it almost 5 years old and weighs about 500 pounds? Eventually your cover will start taking on water and become not only heavy to lift, but much less energy efficient. Replacing the cover will not only save your back it will save you money!
2. Add an additional layer of insulation with a floating blanket. This foam blanket that you cut to fit your tub will float directly on the water adding another layer of protection. It also extends the lifetime of your insulating saftey cover. Remember you still need your locking safety cover as the blanket is not to be used alone.
3. Close your air controls on your jets when not using the spa. These are the knobs that introduce air into the water stream from your jets that make it a harder or softer massage.
4. Turn the temp down a couple of degrees when not using the spa. A few degrees is fine, but turning the temp down more than a few degrees will end up costing you more money in the long run.
5. Keep your filters clean and make sure to replace them at the appropriate times according to your owner’s manual. A dirty or old filter will cause the pumps to work harder and use more energy. Also this is unnecessary strain on your pumps which hurts their longevity.
Happy Hot Tubbing!