Eco-Friendly Hot Tub Ownership Tips

There’s nothing quite like relaxing in a hot tub. Bubbles surround you, warm water envelopes you, and jets soothe your muscles. Soaking in a hot tub might arguably be the most luxurious way to relax. But like any at-home luxury, hot tubs have an impact on the environment.

Heating water and maintaining high temperatures require significant energy. This can not only raise your bills, but can also take a toll on the planet if done in an unsustainable fashion. Fortunately, with just a few intuitive strategies, you can keep your hot tub running its best and keep your environmental footprint as small as possible.

Keep reading to learn how to reduce your energy consumption, conserve water, use sustainable water treatment methods, and more.

What do the best eco-friendly hot tubs look like?

Before we dive beneath the surface, let’s take a look at some of the characteristics of an eco-friendly hot tub:

  • Sustainable: Environmentally-friendly spas are sourced from materials that have a low impact on the environment. Examples include recycled plastics, renewable-sourced wood, and biodegradable composites.
  • Efficient: The best eco-friendly hot tubs often come equipped with smart thermostats and smartphone apps that systematically regulate water temperature and reduce the need for constant heating. Solar heating is becoming increasingly popular as well, decreasing reliance on traditional electricity sources.
  • Treated without Harsh Chemicals: State-of-the-art water treatment systems like Spa Sense™ and True Water™ lessen the need for excess chemicals and keep your water fresher for longer. This not only limits health risks but also reduces environmental impact.
  • Water Conserving: Advanced filtration and water recycling systems filter and clean* water sustainably, reducing filter replacements and limiting water usage. Not only does this limit environmental impact, but it also saves owners a significant amount of money.

Tips

Now, let’s learn how you can be an eco-friendly hot tub owner:

Tip #1: Choose an Energy-Efficient Model

Sustainable purchases lead to sustainable ownership. When searching for the right hot tub, prioritize models that promote energy efficiency and sustainable design. Here are a couple of things to focus on:

  • Certifications: An Energy Star certification is a great way to tell if a tub is energy efficient. Pumps, heaters, and controls in these tubs use less energy, helping you to reduce your footprint and keep your bills low.
  • Insulation: The better insulation a tub has, the better it will retain heat. This will reduce the need for excessive energy to maintain water temperature. Focus on models with full or multi-density foam insulation.
  • Durable Cover: Choose a well-insulated, high-quality cover to prevent heat loss when the tub isn’t in use. This will limit the amount of excess energy needed to reheat the tub. 

Tip #2: Practice Efficient Heating

Heating accounts for most of your spa’s energy use. Here are a couple of ways to optimize the way you heat your tub:

  • Monitor the Temperature: Try to keep your tub around 100–102°F to balance your comfort with energy savings. Lower the temperature when your tub isn’t in use.
  • Use a timer: Heat your tub during off-peak hours or just before use to ensure you aren’t wasting energy. Schedule heating to make sure you’re only heating water when needed.
  • Limit Wind Exposure: Place your hot tub in a secluded, sheltered area to ensure it’s protected from the wind. The wind will cool the water and reduce heat efficiency.

Tip #3: Monitor your Spa from your Smartphone

Apps like the SmartTub® System make it easier than ever to control your hot tub and maintain optimal energy efficiency from anywhere. Some of the features of the SmartTub® App include:

  • Energy Usage (kwh) Sensor: Monitor how much energy your tub is using even when you’re not there. If levels are high, you can lower them from your phone.
  • Smart Heat Mode: This unique feature will regulate your tub's temperature to save energy during idle periods and raise it during the hours prior to scheduled spa use.
  • Energy Estimates: The SmartTub® App will provide you with monthly energy and carbon footprint estimates, giving you insight into your spa’s environmental impact.

Tip #4: Prioritize Maintenance

Consistent maintenance is the best way to ensure your tub is running properly and efficiently using energy and resources. Here are some ways to keep your tub in its best shape:

  • Schedule a Yearly Inspection: An annual visit from a trained professional is the ideal way to make sure your hot tub is running smoothly.
  • Clean and Replace Filters Regularly: Dirty filters will cause your spa’s pumps to work harder, increasing energy consumption. Check your filters every few weeks, and replace them as recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Monitor Water Levels: Low water levels can strain your pump and water heater, leading to inefficiency, and higher electricity bills.
eco friendly hot tub, best eco friendly hot tubs

Tip #5: Limit Water Waste

The more you drain and refill your hot tub, the more water you waste. Water conservation doesn’t have to be a headache, however. Here are a few ways to save water:

  • Repurpose Drained Water: Whether it's watering the plants or cleaning off your car, reusing water is a great way to reduce your ecological footprint. Just make sure the water is chemical-free!
  • Check for Leaks: The more water escapes from the tub, the more water you will ultimately use. Regularly inspect your hot tub for leaks and holes to prevent this from happening.
  • Cover your Hot Tub: This prevents water from evaporating, especially in windy or hot climates.

Tip #6: Take Control of Your Water Treatment

Using an advanced water care system is a great way to minimize the use of harsh chemicals and simplify the water treatment process. Here are some of the features of the Sundance Spa Sense™ system:

  • Automatic chemistry testing and personalized reporting designed to take the work out of water care.
  • Precise recommendations based on your specific spa model and water volume.
  • Full integration with the SmartTub® system and smartphone app.

Tip #7: Choose a Durable Cover

While this one might not feel that important, your hot tub cover does a lot more than you think. An insulated cover is crucial in reducing heat loss, maintaining energy efficiency, and keeping your energy bill where you want it. These are a few ways to maximize the efficiency of your cover:

  • Choose a Thermal Cover: A well-insulated, weather-resistant cover will trap heat and minimize evaporation.
  • Inspect your Cover Regularly: Waterlogged or damaged covers will cause unnecessary heat loss and raise your electricity bills. Holes or tears can also reduce insulation efficiency.
  • Add a Thermal Blanket: These float on the water’s surface and add an extra layer of insulation.

Tip #8: Embrace Sustainable Accessories

Everyone likes choosing accessories for their hot tub, but some are significantly better for the environment than others. Consider these eco-friendly options when purchasing accessories:

  • LED Lighting: These lights last longer than traditional bulb lighting and use less electricity.
  • Energy-Efficient Pumps: Variable-speed pumps use significantly less energy than single-speed ones and will adjust power based on demand.
  • Solar-Powered Heaters: Although these might require a higher initial investment, solar power will provide long-term energy savings for your hot tub.

Tip #9: Share the Knowledge

If something’s working well for you, tell your friends! Saving the environment is a joint effort, but many people are unsure where to start. Here are a few ways to get the word out there:

  • Social Media: Share any inspiration, tips, or updates from your eco-friendly hot tub projects with your friends and followers.
  • Word of Mouth: If you hear someone talking about their hot tub, join the conversation! Telling your friends about your eco-friendly hot tub projects will inspire others to become sustainable hot tub owners.
  • Join Eco-Friendly Communities: Clubs, online forums, and other groups are great ways to spread awareness, gain inspiration, and share your experiences with the world.

Owning a hot tub doesn’t mean you have to compromise your commitment to the environment. By incorporating just a few of these tips you can help reduce your environmental impact, lower your energy bills, and strive towards a greener earth. We know that implementing some of these tips isn’t always easy, and encourage you to visit a local retailer for added insight and further tips. The journey to environmentally-friendly hot tub ownership and a greener earth starts now!

For more information on eco-friendly hot tub ownership, and to learn more about our array of hot tub options, visit us online at www.sundancespas.com.

*Clean is defined as the removal of microscopic (down to 3-micron level, varies by model) debris from the water. The ClearRay Active Oxygen® System utilizes various technologies to achieve cleanliness. One of them is ozone, which aids in the grouping of smaller debris to form larger clusters that can be more easily captured in the filtration process.