How to Easily Save Money With an Energy-Efficient Swim Spa
Save money with these energy-efficient tips
Key takeaways:
- Swim spas cost much less in electricity than pools each year
- Make sure your spa is properly insulated
- Getting a windbreaker is an easy way to reduce heat loss
- Buy an energy-efficient pump
- Maintain your spa’s filters
- Proper use of a good cover can reduce energy loss
- Lower the thermostat to save money
- Fix leaks to prevent saturation of your spa’s insulation
Swim spas are a great way to relax, heal nagging injuries, and even lose weight. Like any worthwhile investment, swim spas cost money to purchase and install. Once you have your own, you can save money by making some smart, energy-efficient choices.
Some of these recommendations are things to consider when buying a swim spa. Others are things you can do once your spa is installed. We give you some simple ways to make your spa more energy-efficient. You’ll save money and protect your pleasurable investment at the same time.
Make sure your swim spa is properly insulated
Every time you uncover your spa, heat escapes. You want to keep your unit properly insulated between uses to reduce heat loss. Choose a swim spa with a built-in radiant heat shield. Such shields will help keep your water warm. Your energy bill will be lower because you won’t need to heat your spa as much.
Get a swim spa with an energy-efficient pump
Pumps in swim spas burn up a lot of energy. When choosing your spa, look for one that has the highest energy efficiency rating. Compare the flow rate with the energy output. To save the most money, you want a pump that has the lowest energy use with the highest flow amount. If you choose an energy-efficient pump, it could increase your energy efficiency by as much as 25%!
To maintain the health of your spa’s pump, you need it to cycle through the full amount of water in your unit at least once a day, even when you’re not using it. This kind of energy usage can add up over time. You can save money by running your pump during off-peak energy usage times in your neighborhood. To find out when your energy use off-peak times are, simply contact your utility company.
Maintain your spa’s filters
A key to protecting your pump (and saving money) is to keep up with your filtration maintenance. A dirty filter will not allow water to pass through as easily. As a result, your pump has to work harder. The harder your pump works, the more energy it uses.
Cleaning your spa’s filters is easy. Every week or two, run the filters under running water. This cleans out large pieces of dirt or debris. As an added protection, every few weeks you will want to soak your filters in a proper chemical solution. This will rid the filters of build-up from oils and lotions.
Set up a windbreaker around your swim spa
Is your swim spa in a windy area? You can put a windbreaker around it. Get creative with your windbreaker! You can use fencing material, trees, bushes, or anything you find. Without the wind blowing through your spa, you’ll save money on heating bills. Want to go green? Consider installing solar panels!
Lower your swim spa’s water temperature
Want an easy way to save 10-15% on your spa’s heating bill? Lower the thermostat’s temperature by just one degree. You won’t want to constantly lower and raise your temperature. That will cause your energy bill to hike from the abundant heating and cooling cycle.
Try lowering the temperature by one degree (or even two) and see how comfortable you are. If you don’t notice a change, make the lower temperature your regular setting. Are you going away for a lengthy vacation? You can lower your water temperature even more. Does it get very warm or hot in your area during the summer? You may be able to turn the thermostat off completely during those months. If you live in an area where winters routinely get cold, you will need to keep your spa’s heat running to avoid damage to your unit.
Does your spa have a circuit timer? Use it to heat your water during off-peak hours. As mentioned above, your energy utility can provide you with information about your area’s off-peak hours. In many cases, peak hours are in the mornings and early evenings, around dinner time. You can set your heating schedule between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm to save money.
Swim spa cover energy-saving tips
Keep your cover tightly fitted when not using your unit. A common mistake many people make is forgetting to use the locking straps. Most spa covers include locking straps to ensure a tight fit. The tighter the fit, the less chance heat has to escape.
Does your cover need to be replaced? Covers are filled with foam to help trap heat. Since air is a good insulator, the foam’s air bubbles trap heat and save you money on your energy bill.
Eventually, a swim spa cover begins to take in water. Once the foam insulation is wet, its insulation efficiency drops quite a bit. You can tell by lifting your cover if it has taken in water. You will notice how heavy the cover is getting. Once that happens, invest in a new one.
When buying a swim spa cover, get one with a reflective underside. This kind of surface helps bounce any escaped heat back into the water. This kind of surface helps protect the cover from chemical and water damage, too.
Fix leaks in your swim spa
Your spa has the same kind of foam in it as your cover. This insulation relies on air to conserve heat. Even the best spas develop leaks over time. When you spot a leak, get it fixed right away. A leak will seep into the foam insulation inside your spa’s walls. As with the cover. Once the insulation is wet, your spa’s energy efficiency will drop rapidly.
Save money and energy
Your swim spa is a big but rewarding investment. By making both smart purchase and maintenance decisions, you can save a lot of money over time. Be sure to protect your investment with a spa first-aid kit, too. You’ll save yourself costly repairs and high energy bills.
