10 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR HOT TUB COSTS LOW
Posted: March 9, 2022As you probably already know, hot tub ownership comes with its own set of ongoing costs. A large part of those ongoing costs appears on your energy bill, which can continue to grow over time if you’re not careful.
If you’re starting to notice a climb in your energy bill and you think that your hot tub is the culprit, then we’ve got a handful of tips to help you lower that cost. Read on to learn more.
How to Keep Your Hot Tub Costs Low
When it comes to hot tubs and energy, the amount you’ll see on your bill depends on a variety of different factors. The main factors include where you live and the type of weather you see year-round as well as the price of energy in your area and the type of hot tub you have.
Generally speaking, hot tubs can account for up to 20 percent of your energy bill—or more if you’re not careful.
That’s why you’ll need to try out more than one different energy-saving activity to ensure you see a significant reduction over time.
Here are 10 things you should try immediately to cut costs:
1. Lower the Temperature
While most hot tubs have a standard maximum temperature of 104 degrees, you don’t want to leave it running that high, especially when it’s not in use.
Additionally, in colder weather, your hot tub will have to work twice as hard to maintain a higher temperature. That’s why it’s a good idea to lower the temperature a few degrees when it’s not in use.
The rule of thumb is that each degree can save you about 10% on your energy bill, so the lower the better. Your hot tub should also have a standby mode which will automatically maintain a lower temperature for you
2. Get a New Cover
Roughly 60 percent of a hot tub’s heat escapes through the surface, regardless of other means of insulation. This makes your hot tub’s cover its most important component as it’s designed to trap in the heat and protect the entire unit.
If your cover is old and worn out, it likely has a few cracks and tears, and probably doesn’t seal correctly. That means most of the heat is readily escaping causing your hot tub’s motor to work overtime.
If your cover is still in good shape, you’ll want to do the best you can to maintain it by keeping it clean, ensuring that it seals and latches properly, and making sure nothing sits on top of it—like children or animals.
3. Invest in a Thermal Blanket
A thermal blanket, also referred to as a solar cover, can add another much-needed layer of insulation and protection to your hot tub. It’ll also help you cut down on energy costs.
Thermal blankets work by minimizing evaporation while also preventing the heat from escaping, thus regulating a consistent temperature. They also keep moisture and chemical buildup from forming on the cover, which helps to prevent wear and tear.
4. Avoid Prevailing Wind
Prevailing wind is the term used for the wind in your area that blows consistently in the same direction. It’s a wind that can sweep away the rising heat from your hot tub.
If you don’t already have some sort of windbreaker up to protect your hot tub from the wind or other elements, you may want to consider installing a protective structure around it. If you don’t already have a hot tub but are planning to install one, make sure you choose a location that has natural wind obstruction.
You’ll also want to avoid areas where droplets and water run-off occur.
5. Close Off the Jets and Blowers
The jets and blowers in your hot tub are designed to push air into the water to create pressure for a massage-like experience. The only problem is that the air being pushed out is much cooler than the water surrounding it—which lowers the overall temperature.
This means that while your jets and blowers are active, your hot tub’s system is working harder to maintain a regular temperature.
To help conserve energy, try only using the jets for a short amount of time, and make sure they remain closed while the hot tub is not in use.
6. Insulate Your Hot Tub’s Cabinet and Shell
Heat tends to escape through the empty spaces between the underside of your hot tub’s shell and its cabinet area. All you have to do is take a quick look into these areas and you’ll be able to see whether or not they’re already insulated.
Especially in colder climates, it’s recommended to order your hot tub with cabinet and shell insulation. If it’s too late for that, you can pick up some spray foam insulation or other insulating materials at your nearby home improvement store.
Of course, it’s important to note that with higher-end brands like Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs, that the models are as energy-efficient as they come with premium insulation – so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
7. Keep it Clean
Keeping your hot tub clean isn’t just for your health and safety—it’s also for the health and safety of the entire unit as well as your energy bill.
Your filter especially must be cleaned and maintained. A dirty or clogged filter won’t circulate the water properly, which will force your hot tub’s motor to work twice as hard to push the water through and regulate the temperature.
Beyond your filter, you’ll also want to make sure that you change the water regularly and use the right cleaning agents to ensure that all components are free of debris and can work properly.
8. Learn About Off-Peak Energy Hours
You likely have a lot of appliances that cause a spike in your energy bill, but it can be hard to pin which ones are at fault for the most consumption.
That’s why it’s important to take a closer look at your recent energy bills to see when these energy spikes are occurring, so you can determine whether or not you’ve been using your hot tubs during these times and how it correlates to the cost.
From there, you can get in touch with your energy company and find out more about their pricing by inquiring about their off-peak hours. Off-peak hours cost significantly less to run appliances or perform energy-consuming activities, and they also may be the best (and cheapest) times to run your hot tub at a higher temperature.
9. Put it on Standby or Switch it Off
If you’re planning to go out of town for 10 days or more, switching your hot tub off completely may save you a notable amount of money.
However, if you live somewhere that experiences freezing temperatures, shutting off your hot tub in the middle of winter isn’t exactly an option as the frozen water can damage your pipes and more.
While you can take the steps to winterize your hot tub, another option is to run it on standby or energy-saver mode, which will allow your hot tub to maintain the necessary temperature without the added stress on your next bill.
The same goes for whenever it’s not in use.
10. Upgrade Your Hot Tub
If your hot tub is beyond saving, then a new cover or standby mode probably won’t do much to lower your energy bill. If this is the case, then it may be time to consider upgrading to a newer model.
The newer hot tub models on the market today have energy in mind and are designed to be much more efficient when it comes to conservation, thanks to modern technology.
However, there are still quite a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when shopping around for an upgrade.
For example, you’ll want to choose a model with a smaller number of jets, as it equates to a lesser power requirement. You’ll also want to pay attention to the R-value.
The R-value is a number representing the hot tub’s insulation. The higher the R-value number, the more insulation the hot tub will have.
You’ll also want to take a look at the circulating pump and its amps. The lower the amps, the less it’ll cost to power the motor.
Lastly, it’s a good idea to look for low-energy LED lights as they also require the least amount of power.
Keep Your Hot Tub Costs Low with WCI Pools & Spas
Just because you can’t escape the fact that a hot tub will increase your energy costs, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed to incur exorbitant costs. By following the above tips, you’ll be able to maintain lower hot tub costs and continue to enjoy it at the same time.
Did this article answer all your questions? If so, you can visit our online resource center for more helpful tips and information about hot tubs. You can also speak with an expert at WCI Pools & Spas for further guidance on accessories and upgrades. We also have an informative owner resource guide that you can check out at any time.
Our team is here to help you make the right decision when it comes to upgrading your hot tub or when you need advice on ways to maintain your model and keep ongoing costs low.
