Patio Splash

Colorado & Wyoming's affordable hot tub dealer

Simple Hot Tub Energy Saving Tips

bullfrog-hot-tubs-fort-collinsFirst of all buy a Bullfrog Spa:)! They are truly engineered to save money. Whether you have a Bullfrog Hot Tub or other conventional hot tub, here are a few energy saving practices.

Save Energy and Money on your Hot Tub

It’s actually quite easy to reduce the operating costs of your hot tub. Bullfrog Hot Spas are the only hot tubs that utilize a patented JetPak Therapy System.  With this system 90% less plumbing is used, which means less energy used overall. With a few other “good hot tub practices”, you can minimize the amount of energy used, saving you money.  Heating and reheating the hot tub will contribute to majority of the expenses, and that’s what most of these tips will focus on reducing.

Get a good Spa Cover

A good spa cover can go a long way in reducing the heating costs of your hot tub. These tubs are well insulated from the sides, but majority of the heat leaks out from the top. So if your cover is worn out and old, you can expect to lose a lot of heat from the rims of the cover/tub, or the hinges on the cover. Even worse than a worn cover would be a water-logged cover, because its insulating ability will be next to nothing. So the bottom line is, check your cover and make sure it insulates well. If it’s worn out, invest in getting a new one with good insulating capabilities.

Block the Wind

Cool wind passing over the water in the hot tub is also a significant source of heat loss. Make sure your tub is surrounded by privacy screens, or shrubs, or any kind of protection which can break the wind. As a bonus, all of these will also get you some privacy when you’re enjoying a soak.

Use the Thermostat efficiently

The thermostat on your hot tub will have a certain maximum setting, usually at 104 degree F. Thing is, you actually don’t need to keep the setting at its highest to enjoy a great spa experience. You can turn down the thermostat a bit, to around 102 degree F, and still get a perfectly satisfying hot soak. While the temperature difference doesn’t seem like a lot, the energy consumption difference will be noticeable.

Heat only when you intend to use

During relatively warmer periods, if you don’t plan on using the hot tub for any significant stretch of time, you can and should turn down the thermostat to its lowest setting. If you’re not going to use it for a long time, you can even switch off the heater completely!
However, keep in mind that this advice is not applicable during colder months. During winter or cool weather, it is recommended that you keep the thermostat at a high enough temperature so that the plumbing doesn’t get damaged.

Consider heating during Off Peak Hours

Off peak hours refers to the time of the day when most people generally won’t use as much electricity as they do throughout the rest of the day. Obviously, this is usually at night time. Since utility companies may not want too much stress on the grid all at once, they may discount the price for off peak electricity usage. If that is the case, you should try to heat the water during off peak hours as much as possible.

Maintain the Filters

Clogged and worn out filters are bad for the entire hot tub unit. A clogged filter places additional load on the pump, and also causes the heater in the tub to work less efficiently. Bullfrog recommends you clean your filter every 3-6 weeks, depending in the amount of use, and replace it every year or two, again depending on the amount if use.

Have a question? Patio Splash Hot Tub & Spas offers regular spa maintenance and can answer any questions you have!

 

Therapeutic Benefits of a Hot Tub

Therapy + Luxury

A hot tub is a great place to sit back and relax in during any season, but more than that, a hot tub offers many therapeutic benefits.

For thousands of years geothermal hot springs have been used for a variety of reasons, including pain relief. The modern hot tub today integrates many of the natural hot springs benefits with additional features – massage therapy, lighting, and sound to promote a host of therapeutic benefits.

Soaking in warm/hot water promotes blood flow, muscle relaxation, better digestion, and restful sleep. Warm water stimulates the muscles, aiding in the reduction of pain and the increase of nutrients and oxygen delivered to the body. When blood flow is increased, the tissues and muscles of the body receive oxygen and nutrients, being blood is a transporter of these essential elements.

Soaking in a bath of warm water or a hot tub also aides in activating the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). This ‘rest & digest’ system of the body helps promotes a beneficial equilibrium in the body. It keeps our heart rate in check, promotes overall energy, digestion and helps in better sleep quality.

With advancements in technology and top hot tub brands coming out with new, innovative features, hot tubs have transformed from an already relaxing experience into a convenient, therapeutic experience with a host of benefits for pain reduction and overall well being.

Bullfrog Spas, patented jetpak offer the hot tub user a customized massage experience. Their powerful jet system offers water massage therapy exactly where you need it.

Take warm water, powerful jets, and LED lighting and discover a healing experience from the comfort of your hot tub.

HOT TUB BENEFITS

  • Increased Blood Flow
  • Promotes Circulation
  • Aides in Pain Reduction (tight muscle relaxation)
  • Stress Reduction
  • Arthritic pain Reduction
  • Improves Sleep
  • Blood Pressure Reduction
  • Promotes Healthier Look ( Because Stress is reduced…you look younger & happier!)

If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact us, or stop by one of our store locations in Fort Collins and Greeley, CO, or Cheyenne, WY.

https://patiosplash.com/hot-tub-benefits/

What to know when buying a hot tub

Things you should consider when purchasing a hot tub-

You want to buy your first hot tub, but there are so many brands and varieties to choose from, what do you do? A hot tub is a pretty big purchase, so we really feel that a little hot tub education is a very important part of the process.

We thought we would educate you on some of the important things to consider, and right questions to ask before you purchase a hot tub, whether it be your first or second. You may hear different things from different people in the hot tub world, but there are really a couple of important factors to keep in mind.

Where to put your hot tub? Do you want an indoor tub, or an out door tub?

Indoor Spa-If you want to install your hot tub indoors, you must consider a few important details.

  • You need to make sure you have the indoor space for a hot tub, even if it is a smaller model. You also need to get it through the door.
  • Ventilation will be needed. You will need to rid the additional humidity and moisture from an indoor tub. Of course having proper drainage is important too.

Hot tub Insulation.

Is hot tub insulation important? Many YES. It is a very important factor when choosing a tub. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. There are basically two ways to insulate a hot tub. The top cover and the the sides (area inside of the shell).

Although hot tubs have evolved and are manufactured a lot more energy efficient than they once were, it is still necessary to prevent heat loss for overall tub efficiency, less energy costs, and additional strength to hot tub in as a whole.. Insulation helps do just that. It insulates the spa, so that heat is not lost. However, not all insulation is created equal. There are basically 3 types of internal insulation–

  • Basic– a thin layer of polyurethane foam lining the inside of the shell. The rest of the space is empty air. If your tub has a lot of plumbing (some do, Bullfrog Spas do not), then this may be a benefit. In terms of insulation and helping to control energy costs, basic insulation really is not doing much at all.
  • Layered– this type of insulation is basic insulation with an additional layer of foam. This only real difference with this partial insulation is that the layer of foam adds additional strength to the hot tub shell. If a hot tub does not say full insulation, it is only partially insulated.
  • Full foam insulation. Quality full foam insulation in your hot tub is what you want. The majority of above ground hot tubs have full foam insulation. Beyond preventing heat loss and the energy saving benefits of using less electricity, proper full foam insulation also reduces noise levels, and adds to shell strength. *We offer Bull Frog Spas because of our belief in their product, the customizable features, and because they are one of the most energy efficient hot tubs available.
  • Insulated Cover. Internal insulation is just one form. Prevent your hot tub water from being exposed to cold air with an insulated hot tub cover.

Hot Tub Jets. 

The jets in a hot tub essentially provide a hydrotherapy massage. There are water and air jets. Many people desire to purchase a hot tub for therapeutic reasons alone. It is important be educated on the jet styles and functions, especially if that is one of the main reasons your are purchasing a hot tub. We are geeks when it comes to hot tubs. Beyond just the look of a type, overall functionality, efficiency, life span, and customer support is very important. Always feel free to call us or come into one of our locations to get  hands on information about the different jet systems.

 

Hot Tub Plumbing.

How is the hot tub manufactured? What is the tubs plumbing like? Understanding the basics of plumbing is an important part of the hot tub buying experience. Like insulation, not all plumbing in a hot tub is created equal. The overall quality and efficiency of the tubs plumbing is a big part of how long it will last and possible problems that could arise, again depending on the plumbing. Of course, you we are not saying that you need take a plumbing course, but ask about the plumbing of tub. Your hot tub advisor or sales person should be able to offer you some insight, without boring you completely.

 

These are a few of the important factors to take into consideration when shopping for a hot tub. It is really important that wherever you shop, you are well advised. A hot tub is a wonderful addition to an indoor or outdoors space and can add a lot of value to you and your family. Shop responsibly!

Happy Holidays from our team at Patio Splash! We invite you to call or visit our showrooms to learn more and browse our hot tubs.  Check out our current sales and specials, and save!