With the unpredictable British summer it’s important to make the most out of your hot tub when you can but that doesn’t have to mean costly overhead costs. The team here at Pump Sales Direct have put together a few energy saving tips to help you relax that little bit more.
1. Buy a multi-mode tub
Make sure your tub has economy, sleep and standard modes of operating. Sleep mode generally heats the water to a few degrees below the temperature you’ve set, and only does so during filter cycles when the pump is running. When you want to use the tub, you only have to bring up to your preferred temperature – not heat the water from scratch.
Standard usually maintains whatever temperature you have pre-set. Economy heats the water right up to the temperature you’ve set, but only during filter cycles.
2. Investigate energy-efficient circulating pumps
If you have an older pump, you’d be well advised to invest in a new one. Circulating pumps have become much more efficient, and pump efficiency is the key determinant of how much energy your hot tub uses.
3. Two pumps may be better than one
There are two pumping jobs in hot tubs. One task is moving the water through the system. The second task is pumping the water through the jets. However, some systems use a low-energy pump to keep the water circulating and another pump for the water jets. Since the water jets are only turned on when needed, a lot of the time the lower-wattage pump is the only one in use. However, this is initially a more expensive option, and some more sophisticated pumps can combine these options.
4. Make sure you can adjust the duration of the filter cycle
This can make a lot of difference to how much energy your tub uses. Good models will allow you to set any number between one and eight or ten hours.
5. Put it in the right place
Site the tub where it isn’t subject to strong winds constantly cooling the water and where you can possibly put an insulation layer below it to conserve heat and keep the base of the tub off the colder ground. If wind is a problem and it will be difficult to re-position the tub, you need to erect a windbreak such as a hedge or fencing panels. This will also make getting out of the tub a more pleasant experience.
6. Use the sun
Solar panels on your tub’s cover can store energy even when it’s not sunny; they use the daylight. If your tub is outside, this is an ideal energy store.
7. It may be cheaper to leave your tub on
If you are using your tub frequently, it may be cheaper to leave it on than to allow it to cool completely and then heat the water up again.
8. Check the lid
Make sure that the lid fits correctly and doesn’t have any damage from wear and tear. The more snugly it fits, the less heat will escape.
9. Easy on the bubbles
Bubbles are great fun, but of course producing them involves pumping air into the tub. As soon as you do this, the water temperature starts to fall so the heating has to kick in. So if you want to economise, run the bubbles program less often.
10. It’s going to cost more to use on a cold day
It’s obvious really, but the greater the difference between the ambient temperature (the air) and the temperature of the water in the tub, the more rapidly the heat will escape into the surrounding air, and the more heating up will have to take place to maintain the water temperature.
Find out more about installing a tub then sit back and relax!
