A hot tub or spa that is designed to work well in cold weather areas is different from one that is built for warm climates.
Aside from being able to insulate your spa, there are also various factors that can affect the electricity consumption of a hot tub or spa.
ADD WIND BLOCKS
If your spa is not designed to receive wind blows, consider adding small walls or plants on the side to protect the surface from the strong winds. They can also serve as a privacy screen.
CLOSE THE AIR JETS
After using the spa, make sure to close the air jets' knobs. Cold air will keep the water cool, which will require a pump and heater to work harder to replace the lost heat. Also, leave the jets open for a few days or weeks to increase the spa's energy use.
TURN OFF THE BLOWER
The air blower is a real energy hog if your spa has one. If you can avoid it by going without forced air, then your hot tub will consume less energy. It's also quieter than using cold air injection.
FIND THE PUMP RUN TIME SWEET SPOT
Modern spas can now regulate themselves with various programmable modes, but for older models, such as hot tubs and filter pumps, you should use a timer or set it to run in 2 or 3 shifts.
When the pump is running, it's important to maintain the proper water quality by running it for at least four hours a day. It's also important to monitor the water quality to prevent over-heating.
When it comes to starting a spa pump, remember that it uses a lot of electricity to start and stop the machine.
TURN DOWN THE SPA HEATER
Set the temperature to 90 degrees if you'll be using the spa for a week. If you'll be using it for 2 weeks or longer, keep the water well above freezing.
It's not uncommon for people to turn down the heat for a few days or even a week, but it can still cost them more to re-heat their spa. In addition, they'll be more prone to injuring themselves from overheating than just keeping the temperature at 95 degrees.
RUN YOUR SPA DURING OFF-PEAK HOURS
According to Energy.gov, off-peak use can help save money on electricity. However, it's important to check with your local power provider to see when peak times are and what Time of Use rates are available for each area.
USE A BETTER OR BEST SPA COVER
If you're looking for a spa cover that can reduce your energy consumption, then go for the Better or the Best. If you're looking for a hot tub cover that can withstand cold seasons, then buy one that can.
A good spa cover can save you money on your hot tub heating costs. However, a bad spa cover can also waste money. Water damage can prevent a spa cover from fitting properly around the edges and leaking heat from the sides.
TIGHTEN UP YOUR SPA COVER
If necessary, adjust the straps to make them pull-down the spa cover to the desired position. It helps to keep the cover in place while protecting the top edge of the spa.
If your spa straps are damaged or broken, replace them with our heavy-duty over-the-top wind straps. Also, if your spa cover is loose or has a tendency to get caught on the bottom, use a sheet of 1/2" plywood to gently hold it down.
USE A FLOATING SPA COVER
A secondary spa cover can increase your spa's R-value by up to 30%. It's a type of foam that's commonly used to keep the hot water trapped in the pool and reduce moisture.
INCREASE CABINET INSULATION
When it comes to optimizing the energy efficiency of a hot tub or spa, there are a few simple steps that can be done. However, remember that these steps are only for the most energy-efficient models.
Spray Foam: You can spray foam to cover the back of the spa shell and the pipes that come into contact with the shell. This method works by covering the exposed pipes with a spray foam that has a higher R-value.
Inside Cabinet
Use wall or attic insulation to line the inside of your cabinet panels. A reflective bubble wrap insulation can also help keep the heat out of the room.
Outside Cabinet
You can also make a larger cabinet out of wood by enclosing it with insulation panels. This method works by affixing the panels to the outside of the cabinet and then build a new one using the same wood.
If you have any other questions about pool and spa products please do let us know - we are here to help!