How to Keep Your Hot Tub Running Costs Down
Keeping costs down over winter doesn’t mean covering up your hot tub and waiting until spring. There are plenty of ways that you can cut down on your hot tub running costs without having to say goodbye to the hours of enjoyment that it brings and you might be wasting money without even realising it.
We’ve put together our top picks of the best and most cost-effective strategies to help you save money and get the most out of your hot tub this winter, so let’s take a look now.
1. Check the Cover
A reliable, well-insulated cover doesn’t just keep the winter rain away from your hot tub, it also stops it from losing heat and reduces the amount of energy that is used to heat the water.
So whether you are waiting for your hot tub to heat up or you’re taking a break before returning to the water, don’t let the heat disappear. Place the cover back on your hot tub and check that it seals shut without leaving any gaps for heat to escape through and invest in a new one if you notice any damage or an increase in your running costs.
If this sounds like too much effort to do every time you use your hot tub, why not invest in a cover lifter, or even a Smartop that comes with its own integrated cover lifter and heat retention system? Speak to All Weather Leisure to discuss the best option for your hot tub.
2. Lower the Temperature
Don’t worry, this doesn’t apply to the time that you spend in the hot tub! It’s simply a good idea to lower the temperature of the water a little if you won’t be using your hot tub for extended periods of time.
The average Jacuzzi hot tub runs at around 38°C, which equates to a use of about 5kw per day. So, if you’re keen to reduce your hot tub running costs it’s a good idea to reduce the temperature to about 30°C when you know you won’t be using it for an extended period of time.
However, don’t let the temperature fall all the way down if you are planning on using it later. Hot tubs can take between two and six hours to heat up, and this rather defeats the point of trying to keep costs down! Instead, use an app such as Smarttub or Spanet that pairs with your hot tub to stay in control of the water temperature and your energy consumption.
3. Use a Thermal Blanket
These innovative energy-saving blankets are a guaranteed way to save you money and protect your existing hot tub lid.
When used in combination with a reliable cover, this additional layer provides extra insulation and maintains water temperature to reduce the amount of energy your hot tub uses. As a separate layer, it can also be used to absorb thermal and solar heat whilst the lid is open, and most models reduce the rate of water evaporation by up to 98%.
So, whether you opt for a floating blanket that sits on the water or a full cover that goes over your entire structure, this inexpensive investment in your hot tub’s energy efficiency is worth every penny.
4. Maintain Your Hot Tub
The regular maintenance tasks on your checklist, including cleaning the filters and checking the water chemistry, are all already lowering hot tub running costs without you even realising!
There are many cost and energy savings to be had by caring for your hot tub, as a clean water flow puts less pressure on your filtration system and your pumps. Keeping the water chemistry well-balanced also helps to prevent unwanted buildup that must be dealt with by draining, cleaning, and refilling.
As we mentioned before, the cost of refilling and initially reheating a hot tub is already high, and this cost only increases in the winter months thanks to the cold outdoor temperatures. So, keep up these important tasks across the winter to keep saving money, and to avoid having to shell out for expensive replacement parts or professional repairs.
5. Switch to a Heat Pump
Sometimes the best way to save money in the long term is to invest in the right equipment, and you will struggle to find a better investment than an air source heat pump.
These efficient sources of renewable energy can be used all year round to heat your hot tub and save on your hot tub running costs. Whilst the initial cost can be pricey, they use considerably less energy than standard energy supplies by transferring heat energy from the air into the water, rather than using energy to generate heat.
This heat transfer is just as effective and comes with a much smaller number on your electricity bills, so why not save yourself some money every single winter with an Air Source Heat Pump.
Looking For Some More Tips?
Draining your hot tub for winter isn’t sounding quite so appealing now is it! Now that we’ve convinced you to make the most of your hot tub, why not take a look at some more cost-saving tips in this article from All Weather Leisure?