What Makes a Hot Tub Energy Efficient?

Many new hot tub owners are overcome with excitement when they make their purchase and start dreaming about those warm waters and enjoyable soaks in the privacy of their own home. However, there is a concern many people have in the back of their mind and that is how much energy will their hot tub use? This is an understandable concern since one may have anxiety over energy bills skyrocketing. But no need to feel concern! Hot tub technology has advanced to the point that many makes and models are very energy efficient, costing just a few pennies to run each day. This article will go over what to look for when shopping for a hot tub to ensure that you choose the most energy efficient hot tub available and keep your bills low. Hot Tub Cover When your hot tub is not in use, a hot tub cover can help retain that heat and keep cold air out. By doing this you will be decreasing the necessary energy needed to keep or bring back the warm water temperatures every time you want to use it. But you should note, not every hot tub cover does the job. Covers themselves have advanced greatly, so you should search for one with the best heat retaining properties. Look for covers that provide a dense insulation layer and fits tightly over your hot tub. Insulation Many parts of the hot tub generate heat. The water, the motors that power the heater, the hot tub shell, and even the plumbing are sources of heat. Although all this heat is not necessarily enjoyed by the warm water, much of is leaves the hot tub due to inefficient insulation. When a hot tub is insulated properly, the tub will be able to retain a lot of heat, while decreasing the amount of energy consumed. Seek out hot tub systems that take the wasted heat and utilize it to improve your energy efficiency. For example, an insulated shell, water pipes, and a motor will reduce the amount of heat loss, as well as improve energy efficiency. Eco Mode Pumps One option to help you save energy is by using an eco mode pump. It works at a much lower rate and allows the water temperature to drop when no one is bathing. This will help lower your energy costs. Not all pump come with this feature, in which case you can use your timer to decrease the water temperature at night or manually when not in use. Venting The pump can also be eco-friendly, by redirecting the heat, that would normally dissipate, to be reused to keep the water warm. The heat exchange vents take that heat that would dissipate and vent it into the surrounding environment to warm the entire system. You can also adjust the venting and trap the heat when needed or let it vent when necessary. Energy Efficient Pumps You may be surprised to learn that modern-day hot tub pumps are capable of circulating water with less energy than a 40 watt light bulb. These pumps are both energy efficient and quiet! You will also find that many of today’s modern hot tub jets are only activated when in use, using up less energy. Even when there is only one person in the tub, you can decrease the energy used by limiting the amount of jets used. You can also strategically place pumps that maximize heat transfer to the water, preventing that heat from being lost to the air. Energy Efficiency Certification When you choose a California Energy Commission (CEC) approved tub, you can feel confident knowing your system is one of the most energy-efficient ones on the market. CEC standards ensure excess power is not being consumed while your hot tub is on standby. In order to receive CEC approval, the model must undergo lab tests and laboratory confirmation.