SELF-CLEANING HOT TUBS - ENERGY EFFICIENCY - PART IV -THE TRUTH
Posted by Greg Butler on Mon, Apr 12, 2010 @ 01:03 PM
The previous articles have addressed 3 primary methods of insulating a hot tub - full-foam, a perimeter lock and the double thermoshield method. Each are effective, but some have advantages over the others.
Overall, the goal is not more insulation, it is not to purchase a hot tub with either method really. The goal is to have an energy efficient hot tub and the truth is that either of the above are energy efficient.
Sales people and cheap hot tubs in this industry have created a fear for ongoing expenses in hot tub usage. Retail staff bicker with one another in attempts to say "mine is better than yours", but overall, the customer must realize that ZERO energy consumption is not possible. Likewise, energy usage / consumption will go up with increased size of hot tubs in both volume and surface area. More pumps require more energy, windy conditions require more energy and there is no way in the world that any hot tub will cost the same in January as it does in June! A given figure or statement of lets say "$20 per month guarenteed" is something to relax your mind and to get the sale - it is not realistic at all, and it does not address any of the above-mentioned items that affect energy consumption. The arguement is as accurate as the auto industry's arguement of 52mpg vs 53mpg - a very controlled drive on a very controlled course - not at all a run through Gros Mourn National Park on a windy day through the hills and valleys!
When you sum it up, just like the auto industry, there is a price to pay for the usage of the product and ANY of the previously described methods are effective. When this is understood, differentiating hot tubs then should focus on other items such as ongoing maintenance, dealer support, product selection and water chemistry options.