Hot Tub Covers: Putting A Lid On Out Of Control Energy Consumption

A recent study conducted by the Davis Energy Group sponsored Pacific Gas & Electric Co., pool and spa pumps are almost always the hungriest single electric appliance in a home, using more than three times the energy of a new refrigerator. This same study found that the average residential pool pump consumes 2,600 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually with portable spas not far behind at 2,500 kWh per year.

With the roughly 10 million spa owners in the US we are talking about a very large amount of energy usage.

As a result of the study California has put new limits on energy consumption of new spa and pool pumps.  However that doesn't address the ten million spas already in use across the country.

What can hot tub owners do to reduce the energy needed by spas they already use?

1. Fix any leaks. Leaking warm water is a waste of energy.
2. Make sure the insulation in the spa cabinet itself is sufficient and dry.
3. Set the spa to cycle by time rather than the thermostat.  Cycling two to three hours twice a day is enough to keep the water clear and warm.
4. Since heat rises, a properly insulating cover that makes direct contact with the water.

Spa Covers reduce most if not all of the evaporative losses from the water when in use. With this component of heat loss being 70% a cover with a small R-value can achieve as much as a 75% reduction in heating costs when used. 

There are several insulating covers available for spa and pool owners.  Making a small adjustment like outfitting the pool or spa with a cover that rests on the water and insulates can make a world of difference in the size of the monthly power bill.  

The best covers use dead air space to insulate, similar to how a thermos insulates a beverage, and rests right on the waters surface.  When used properly these covers can be wonderful insulators.