Eco-Friendly Hot Tub Ownership Tips

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

Heating water and maintaining hightemperatures 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 tubrunning its best and keep your environmental footprint as small as possible.

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

What dothe best eco-friendly hot tubs look like?

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

-      Sustainable: Environmentally-friendly spas aresourced from materials that have a low impact on the environment. Examplesinclude recycled plastics, renewable-sourced wood, and biodegradablecomposites.

-      Efficient: The best eco-friendly hot tubsoften come equipped with smart thermostats and smartphone apps thatsystematically regulate water temperature and reduce the need for constantheating. Solar heating is becoming increasingly popular as well, decreasingreliance on traditional electricity sources.

-      Treated without Harsh Chemicals: State-of-the-artwater treatment systems like Spa Sense™ and True Water™ lessen the need forexcess chemicals and keep your water fresher for longer. This not only limitshealth risks but also reduces environmental impact.

-      Water Conserving: Advanced filtration andwater recycling systems filter and clean* water sustainably, reducing filterreplacements and limiting water usage. Not only does this limit environmentalimpact, but it also saves owners a significant amount of money.

Tips

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

Tip #1:Choose an Energy-Efficient Model

Sustainable purchases lead to sustainableownership. When searching for the right hot tub, prioritize models that promoteenergy efficiency and sustainable design. Here are a couple of things to focuson:

-      Certifications: An Energy Star certificationis a great way to tell if a tub is energy efficient. Pumps, heaters, andcontrols in these tubs use less energy, helping you to reduce your footprintand keep your bills low.

-      Insulation: The better insulation a tub has,the better it will retain heat. This will reduce the need for excessive energyto maintain water temperature. Focus on models with full or multi-density foaminsulation.

-      Durable Cover: Choose a well-insulated,high-quality cover to prevent heat loss when the tub isn’t in use. This willlimit the amount of excess energy needed to reheat the tub.

Tip #2:Practice Efficient Heating

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

-      Monitor the Temperature: Try to keep your tubaround 100–102°F to balance your comfort with energy savings. Lower thetemperature when your tub isn’t in use.

-      Use a timer: Heat your tub during off-peakhours or just before use to ensure you aren’t wasting energy. Schedule heatingto make sure you’re only heating water when needed.

-      Limit Wind Exposure: Place your hot tub in asecluded, sheltered area to ensure it’s protected from the wind. The wind willcool the water and reduce heat efficiency.

Tip #3:Monitor your Spa from your Smartphone

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

-      Energy Usage (kwh) Sensor: Monitor how muchenergy your tub is using even when you’re not there. If levels are high, youcan lower them from your phone.

-      Smart Heat Mode: This unique feature willregulate your tub's temperature to save energy during idle periods and raise itduring the hours prior to scheduled spa use.

-      Energy Estimates: The SmartTub® App willprovide you with monthly energy and carbon footprint estimates, giving youinsight into your spa’s environmental impact.

Tip #4:Prioritize Maintenance

Consistent maintenance is the best way toensure 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 visitfrom a trained professional is the ideal way to make sure your hot tub isrunning smoothly.

-      Clean and Replace Filters Regularly: Dirtyfilters will cause your spa’s pumps to work harder, increasing energyconsumption. Check your filters every few weeks, and replace them asrecommended by the manufacturer.

-      Monitor Water Levels: Low water levels canstrain your pump and water heater, leading to inefficiency, and higherelectricity bills.

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 wateringthe plants or cleaning off your car, reusing water is a great way to reduceyour ecological footprint. Just make sure the water is chemical-free!

-      Check for Leaks: The more water escapes fromthe tub, the more water you will ultimately use. Regularly inspect your hot tubfor leaks and holes to prevent this from happening.

-      Cover your Hot Tub: This prevents water fromevaporating, especially in windy or hot climates.

Tip #6:Take Control of Your Water Treatment

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

-      Automatic chemistry testing andpersonalized reporting designed to take the work out of water care.

-      Precise recommendations based onyour specific spa model and water volume.

-      Full integration with theSmartTub® 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 iscrucial in reducing heat loss, maintaining energy efficiency, and keeping yourenergy bill where you want it. These are a few ways to maximize the efficiencyof your cover:

-      Choose a Thermal Cover: A well-insulated,weather-resistant cover will trap heat and minimize evaporation.

-      Inspect your Cover Regularly: Waterlogged ordamaged covers will cause unnecessary heat loss and raise your electricitybills. Holes or tears can also reduce insulation efficiency.

-      Add a Thermal Blanket: These float on thewater’s surface and add an extra layer of insulation.

Tip #8:Embrace Sustainable Accessories

Everyone likes choosing accessories for theirhot 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 thantraditional bulb lighting and use less electricity.

-      Energy-Efficient Pumps: Variable-speed pumpsuse significantly less energy than single-speed ones and will adjust powerbased on demand.

-      Solar-Powered Heaters: Although these mightrequire a higher initial investment, solar power will provide long-term energysavings for your hot tub.

Tip #9:Share the Knowledge

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

-      Social Media: Share any inspiration, tips, orupdates from your eco-friendly hot tub projects with your friends andfollowers.

-      Word of Mouth: If you hear someone talkingabout their hot tub, join the conversation! Telling your friends about youreco-friendly hot tub projects will inspire others to become sustainable hot tubowners.

-      Join Eco-Friendly Communities: Clubs, onlineforums, 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 tocompromise your commitment to the environment. By incorporating just a few ofthese tips you can help reduce your environmental impact, lower your energybills, and strive towards a greener earth. We know that implementing some ofthese tips isn’t always easy, and encourage you to visit a local retailer foradded insight and further tips. The journey to environmentally-friendly hot tubownership and a greener earth starts now!

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

*Cleanis defined as the removal of microscopic (down to 3-micron level, varies bymodel) debris from the water. The ClearRay Active Oxygen® System utilizesvarious technologies to achieve cleanliness. One of them is ozone, which aidsin the grouping of smaller debris to form larger clusters that can be moreeasily captured in the filtration process.