Hot Tub Energy Efficiency
To get to those dreamy nights of relaxing in your backyard while warm water soothes your sore muscles, the path to bliss involves evaluating the best hot tub for your budget. For many people, the initial hot tub cost seems reasonable, but they worry about the electric bills to follow. Surprisingly, today’s energy efficient hot tubs actually cost very little to run. Here are factors you’ll want to consider when shopping for efficient hot tubs:
Insulation
Insulation is the most important factor for the energy-efficiency of a hot tub. Insulation creates a barrier between the shell’s surface and the ambient temperature outside. This thermal blockade helps maintain water temperature and allows the heater and pumps to run more efficiently.
Hot tubs range widely in cost and quality of materials, including the amount of insulation installed. Inflatable and basic plug and play models may have no insulation at all. Moving up in quality, partial foam insulation is placed between the hot tub and cabinet. While better than nothing, foam leaves gaps that allow heat to escape.
Full foam insulation is the best at maximizing energy efficiency. Foam is sprayed to fill the interior of the cabinet, providing structural support and using half the energy of a partial foam insulated tub. The downside to a fully insulated tub reveals itself when hot tub repairs are needed. The density of insulation makes hot tub equipment more difficult to access.
You can upgrade either insulation option by installing an affordable eco-friendly blanket or thermal wrap against the inside of your hot tub cabinet. These energy-saving blankets are often made of thin layers of air-bubble lined plastic that can be trimmed to fit your hot tub. The blanket provides weather resistance, can prevent cold winter air from blowing in, and prevents heat from escaping. Expect to pay more for well insulated tubs, but garner energy savings on each electric bill.
Heat Retaining Covers
A cover helps the overall efficiency of a hot tub by cutting down on heat loss (remember, as science class teaches, heat rises). Even a hot tub surrounded by thick insulation will lose heat quickly if left uncovered. The best covers consist of dense foam wrapped with a waterproof layer, lined with a heat reflecting material, and covered by marine-grade vinyl or fabric.
In a cold climate, aim for a two-pound foam cover. While hot tubs in warmer climates might not experience the same level of heat loss as hot tubs in cold climates, covering the tub with an insulated topper still works to improve energy efficiency. Cover experts say the more layers of insulation, the better. For added insulation, float a thermal cover on the surface beneath the hot tub cover.
Covering your hot tub also provides an important safety function, keeping curious children or animals out of the water. The cover reduces maintenance as well, keeping debris and rain/snow out of your hot tub. For safety and cleanliness, as well as hot tub energy efficiency, make sure that your hot tub cover is in good condition and fits snugly on all corners of the tub.
Heater and Pumps
Having a well-maintained heater and pumps is important to the overall enjoyment of a hot tub. Toasty water that pulses forcefully out of jets, providing a soothing massage, only happens when the heater and pumps are working properly. Maximizing their performance and endurance is an important step towards optimal energy consumption in your hot tub.
Other ways to improve heater and pump efficiency include installing a small recirculation pump that continually filters water, allowing the larger pumps to stay off until needed, and turning off all blowers when you exit the tub.
It might seem obvious, but another way to reduce energy usage is to only run your heater when you use your hot tub. Be realistic about how often you take a backyard plunge, and crank up the heat only on those evenings, keeping your hot tub at a maintenance temperature of around 95 on other days. When you’re traveling, turn the heater down more to save on your energy bill, but remember to leave some heat running at all times during winter weather to prevent pipes and pump motor from freezing.
Too Hot for the Hot Tub?
After installing a little slice of bliss in your backyard, it’s tempting to keep that hot tub cranked up to high heat at all hours—just in case you’re in need of random relaxation. But this kind of indulgence can heat up your energy bill as well. To enjoy your hot tub without using excessive electricity, it’s important to think about your heating schedule strategically:
- Many hot tub enthusiasts prefer to soak in 100-102 degree water.
- The max safe water temperature is 104 degrees.
- Lower your hot tub’s temperature setting by five degrees when not in use. This saves energy while allowing for quick reheating should you want a soak.
- If away from your hot tub for an extended time, lower the temperature by ten degrees.
- You may want to turn your heater off in the summer if you live in a steamy locale and prefer cooler soaks to combat the heat.
- Children, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions cannot tolerate high heat. They should receive medical advice from a licensed physician before using a hot tub.
Peak Efficiency
For peak hot tub efficiency, you’ll want to invest in a well-manufactured tub, place it in an area with a wind break like a pergola or retaining wall to shield your hot tub from chilly blasts of air, and then take steps to keep energy usage minimal while maintaining an optimal water temperature. Sounds complicated, right? You’ll definitely want to do your research and buy from a reputable hot tub dealer, but peak energy efficiency involves a simple four-part formula:
- Buy a well-built acrylic or even stronger high-density polyethylene tub. It should be insulated with partial or full foam insulation and lined with an eco-friendly blanket or thermal wrap.
- Choose a high density cover to keep heat from evaporating out of your hot tub. The cover should consist of a couple pounds of thick foam wrapped in a waterproof layer and covered with vinyl. Float a thermal cover on the surface of the water for added insulation.
- Pay attention to the physical condition of your hot tub. Keep your heater and pumps in good functioning order. Install a small recirculation pump to continually filter water, keeping the large pumps from working as much.
- Use restraint with how often you run your heater. Keep your hot tub at a maintenance temperature and only heat it above 100 degrees on days you know you’ll use it. Turn your heater down when going away from home for several days or more.
Cost
- Hot tub costs vary, from budget models to luxury editions, depending on the features and quality of construction. In general, low budget plug and play models can go from big box store to soothing soaks in hours, but their features are minimal and durability questionable. Purchasing a premium or luxury model from a hot tub store may cost more initially, but superior insulation will reduce energy usage and a generous warranty will mean that you won’t have to worry about repair costs for years.
- Before you enjoy your first backyard soak, you’ll need to spend a moderate amount on setup costs including building a deck or foundation for your hot tub and hiring a delivery crew and electrician. Operating costs for a hot tub include energy and water usage, chemicals for the water, and parts like filters that may need regular replacements.
- With setup costs fairly fixed, many consumers decide to invest in a durable, energy efficient hot tub that will provide a relaxing experience for years to come. Loaded with features like powerful jets, Bluetooth speakers, and color-changing lights, a premium hot tub can become a multi-sensory way to unwind as you let stress flow away with the bubbles—and who can put a price on that?