Hot Tub Buying Guide

Save on hot tub electric bill

Well, you sure have been enjoying your hot tub. Relaxing and getting a good soak often. Your muscles and attitude are very grateful. And then, comes the electric bill and all that stress that left your muscles in the warm, soothing waters rushes right back to your shoulders and neck. Ouch, that hurts. So what can you do to help your wallet out so you can enjoy those soaks? Here are a few suggestions for helping to reduce the elecricity bill.

Check your manufacturer's instructions and be sure you are using the proper settings on your tub. Do you have your tub maintaining the perfect soaking temperature all day, every day, even when you won't be getting in? Silly, silly. Fix that. There is typically a cost saving setting. Or you can just mozy on out there mid-day or when you arrive home from work and raise the temperature so it's ready for your soaking time. Then lower the temperature back down when you get out so the tub isn't sucking electricity all night and all day long.

Check that your hot tub is properly insulated. You can add some more insulation if you think it's needed. This can be done by adding insulation to the interior of the shell. Be sure not to block any vents, motors, filters, pumps, etc. You can also insulate the water lines with pipe insulation.

Be sure that the location of your tub is optimal. Is your tub getting sun during the day? If you aren't using your tub during the day, so the glare of the sun isn't a problem, you may want to relocate your tub to take advantage of the sun's warming powers. Or maybe you need to trim a tree to give your tub more sunlight. Also, check the wind. If your tub is located in a very windy area of your property, you may want to invest in some sort of barrier - could be some bushes or a privacy fence. You may want to move your tub to the other side of the patio or deck and use something that already exists - the side of the house or existing fence or shrubs.

You may also need to invest in a better cover. Check to be sure that your cover fits securely and is in good condition. Your hot tub cover is exposed to the elements and therefore will degrade over time. If your tub's cover becomes waterlogged it will not be able to help retain the heat in your tub. If it becomes damaged be sure to repair it quickly so it can do its job.

To help retain the heat in your hot tub, you may also want to invest in a floating blanket - like a cover under your cover. This bubble sheet will keep the heat in the water and will also protect your cover from moisture damage as It reduces the heat and condensation that rises to the cover itself. This will keep the heat in the water and the water off the underside of the cover, saving you money on electricity and by extending the life of the cover.

Be smart with your money. There is really nothing sadder than an empty hot tub. So figure out how to make it the most cost effective it can be, turn it on, heat it up and get on in.