Many people today are more conscious than ever about managing their expenses and making sure they are getting a great value for their money. You can rest assured that a hot tub is a great investment in your personal wellness. When shopping for a hot tub, however, it is important to not only consider the upfront purchase price, but also the ongoing energy costs to use the spa. Oftentimes, you can find a hot tub that has a lower purchase price, but does not have as many energy-efficient features as you may want. The goal is to strike the optimum balance between features and cost.
Hot tub energy consumption is straightforward and predictable. Here are the factors that matter most, whether you’re choosing a new hot tub or optimizing energy consumption on the hot tub you already own.
The fundamentals of hot tub energy efficiency:
Insulation
Insulation is the most important factor in energy consumption. Your hot tub can lose heat through its walls. The more heat it loses, the harder it has to work to keep the water warm. Insulation options include:
Total insulation. This insulation style employs multiple layers of foam in varying densities. The high-density foam expands and compresses the light-density foam to fill or minimize voids and gaps where heat can escape.
Circulating the Water
Jet pump. Some hot tubs rely on the jet pumps to circulate the water. Jet pumps draw more power than circulation pumps and are usually noisier.
Circulation pump. A dedicated circulation pump continuously circulates the hot tub water using a small amount of energy. The Highlife® and Limelight® Collections of Hot Spring® spas feature a circulation pump that uses as little energy as a 40-watt light bulb.
Spa Cover
A well-insulated hot tub cover helps a hot tub retain its heat. A great cover has these characteristics:
In addition to a high-quality cover, a floating thermal blanket can provide an additional layer of insulation and even extend the cover’s life by reducing waterlog.
Tips to help you maximize your spa’s energy efficiency:
Hot! Hot! Hot!
Many people do not realize that, unlike an in-ground spa, a portable spa is always hot and ready. A hot tub typically uses more energy heating the water than it does maintaining the water at a set temperature. So, while it might seem logical to adjust the temperature down when you are not using the spa, it’s not necessary and can actually cost you more. Select your preferred water temperature and leave it – it is more energy-efficient and you’ll never have to wait for your hot tub to heat up. It will always be hot and ready for regular or daily use.
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