One of the most common questions we hear from hot tub owners is: “How can I keep my hot tub running as efficiently as possible?”

Modern, well-insulated hot tubs are designed to retain heat, but there are still several things you can do to reduce unnecessary heat loss and help keep your running costs under control.

And some of the biggest improvements are surprisingly simple.

Keep the Cover On

It sounds obvious, but your hot tub cover is one of the most important parts of its insulation.

Whenever you’re not using your hot tub, keep the cover properly closed and secured. Leaving the water exposed allows heat to escape far more quickly, particularly during cold or windy weather.

Even leaving the cover open unnecessarily while you’re getting ready to use the spa means you’re paying to replace heat that didn’t need to be lost.

Look After Your Hot Tub Cover

A good-quality, well-fitting cover helps keep heat where you want it – inside your hot tub.

Over time, covers can deteriorate. Check yours periodically for damage, poor-fitting edges or signs that the internal foam has become waterlogged.

If your cover has become unusually heavy, sagging or damaged, it may no longer be insulating your spa as effectively as it once did.

A cover lifter can also make the cover easier to handle and helps prevent it from being repeatedly dropped, dragged or left on the ground.

Keep Your Filters Clean

Dirty filters don’t just affect the appearance of your water.

When filters become clogged, they restrict water flow and can make your circulation system work harder than necessary. Good water flow is important for both filtration and heating efficiency.

Rinse your filters regularly, deep-clean them periodically using an appropriate filter cleaner and replace them when they’re no longer performing effectively.

It’s a small maintenance job that helps the whole system work as it should.

Don’t Constantly Heat and Cool Your Hot Tub

If you use your hot tub regularly, repeatedly allowing it to cool significantly and then reheating it isn’t necessarily the most practical way to save energy.

A well-insulated hot tub is designed to maintain its temperature.

For regular users, keeping the water around your preferred temperature – or making relatively small adjustments – generally gives you the convenience of having the spa ready when you want it without repeatedly reheating a large volume of cold water.

If you’re going away or won’t be using the hot tub for an extended period, that’s different. Check the appropriate settings for your particular spa and the time of year rather than simply switching everything off.

Protect Your Spa From the Wind

Where you position your hot tub can make a difference.

An exposed spa in a windy part of the garden can lose heat more quickly than one in a sheltered position.

Fencing, planting, privacy screens, pergolas and other garden structures can all help create a more sheltered environment.

Just make sure any structure still allows suitable ventilation and access for servicing and maintenance.

Use the Correct Filtration Settings

More filtration isn’t automatically better – but neither is simply turning your filtration down as far as possible.

Your spa’s filtration requirements depend on the model, circulation system and how frequently it is used.

The aim is to have your hot tub filtering sufficiently to maintain good water quality without running unnecessary filtration cycles.

If you’re unsure whether your spa is set up correctly, ask us. We can help you understand the most appropriate settings for your particular model and usage.

Turn Air Controls Off When You’ve Finished

Many hot tubs have air controls that introduce air into the jets to create a more powerful massage.

They’re great while you’re using the spa, but leaving air controls open when the hot tub isn’t being used can contribute to heat loss, particularly in colder weather.

Once you’ve finished your soak, close the air controls where appropriate before replacing the cover.

Keep Your Water in Good Condition

Good water care and energy efficiency are more closely connected than you might think.

Poorly maintained water, dirty filters and restricted circulation can all affect how efficiently your hot tub operates.

Regular testing, correct chemical balance, clean filters and routine servicing help ensure that the pumps, heater and circulation system can do their jobs properly.

Choose an Efficient Hot Tub in the First Place

Perhaps the biggest consideration happens before you buy your hot tub.

Not all spas are built or insulated in the same way.

The quality of the insulation, cabinet construction, cover and components all influence how effectively a hot tub retains heat and how much energy it requires to maintain your chosen temperature.

A cheaper hot tub isn’t necessarily cheaper to own.

When you’re comparing models, don’t just ask about jets, lights and features. Ask how the spa is insulated, how it retains heat and what has been done to make it efficient to run.

Small Habits Make a Difference

Keeping a hot tub energy efficient doesn’t require constantly changing settings or worrying every time the heater comes on.

The fundamentals are much simpler:

• Buy a well-insulated spa.
• Keep it covered.
• Look after the cover and filters.
• Maintain the water properly.
• Use sensible settings.
• Protect it from unnecessary heat loss.

Do those things consistently and you’ll give your hot tub the best chance of operating efficiently throughout the year.

At Hot Tubs At Home, we’ve been selling, installing, servicing and maintaining hot tubs for 20 years. If you’d like advice about making your existing hot tub more efficient – whatever the brand – or you’d like to compare the efficiency of a new model, come and talk to us.

Hot Tubs At Home
01327 359191