Enjoying Your Hot Tub and Saving Energy
Ham and eggs. Peaches and cream. Burgers and fries. These foods go together quite naturally that it is almost unthinkable to eat one and not the other. But “Enjoying your hot tub and saving energy?” Can they really go together? Most would probably say “no way” offhand but a closer look may just prove that there is way. Indeed, there are not a few things hot tub owners can do to keep their costs down.
For starters, you can turn the heater’s thermostat down, or even off, while you are away on vacation. When you travel out of town in summer or on long weekends, you won’t need your tub, so just turn the heater off.
Hot tub covers keep the heat in so don’t forget to cover your tub after soaking in it. Forgetting to do so results not only in heat loss and a longer re-heating, but also exposes the water to falling dirt and debris. This, of course, will necessitate a refill.
Keep spa parts clean and in good running condition. Clogged filters will force the pump to work harder to get the water through. Heated water will also not circulate freely which could prompt you to adjust the thermostat higher.
Schedule your use of the spa, and install a hot tub timer that will start the heater only when you are about to use it.
Eliminate, or at least minimize, the use of extraneous accessories. If you like to use the tub at night with lights around you, you can use floating candles instead of the spa lights.
Vigorous splashing and trashing in the tub can result in the loss of some water. While this may not seem much, over time it can accumulate. Check the pipes for leaks periodically and if you find any, fix them immediately.
Although you may save on the initial cost of a hot tub if you buy a used older model, in the long run it may prove to be more expensive. Newer models often incorporate energy-saving features, such as better pumps and insulation, which are not found in the older versions.
So go ahead, enjoy your hot tub and save energy.