Re: High Cost of Keeping Hot Tub Ready To Go
- From: I.dont.read.email@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2006 19:45:56 -0600
On 6 Mar 2006 09:00:27 -0800, trader4@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Beachcomber wrote:
On 6 Mar 2006 07:55:36 -0800, "buffalobill" <wjohnston@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
google has lots of stuff on this at:
http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&newwindow=1&safe=off&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-52,GGLG:en&q=insulating+an+outdoor+hot+tub&spell=1
The Solar Option has been mentioned. If you can rig a way to use gas
to preheat the water, you will probably find that less expensive than
electricity.
One hundred years ago in Japan they used wood heaters to heat their
bathwater. It was a good idea then and it can be an economical choice
today. Several wood stove manufactuers ofter a hot-water heating
option.
Indoors is better than outdoors for a hot tub location. With an
indoor tub, all the waste heat will at least contribute something to
heating your house in the winter. The heat loss from the outdoor
tubs goes straight into the air.
beachcomber
Inside is a lot better primarily because the amount of heat needing to
go in it is a fraction of what it is outside. If it's 20 degrees
outside with it set at 104 you have an 84 degree delta. Inside, at 70,
the delta drops to 50. That's about 40% less. Having it inside
isn't much of a benefit for most as far as having the heat go into the
house instead of outside. During heating season this is a plus, but
during cooling, it switches to a negative. Overall, it's probably a
small plus.
I would definitely set the unit on a timer, so the temp gets setback
during hours when it's not gonna be used, then raised prior to periods
when use can be expected. I have one outside here in NJ and I keep it
lowered to around 60 during the coldest winter months, cause I only use
it a couple times a week. Prior to using it, I raise the temp back up
far enough in advance. Setting it back is exactly like lowering the
thermostat in the house at night.
I would make sure it's as well insulated as possible. Is the cover in
good shape, not water logged, and has no gaps? Is the spa located so
that its as sheltered as possible?
BTW, I agree that anything below about 104 is less desirable. I like
mine more like 106. And fiddling with a few degrees at the expense of
enjoying it the way you like is not gonna make much difference.
Again, if the delta is 104-20, thats 84. If you set it at 100, thats
80, which is less than a 5% difference in energy use. I guess you
could have the timer take it to 100 prior to use, then turn it up the
rest of the way manually, just prior to use.
I always amazes me that people spend a fortune insulating their homes
to save energy, then they get these things and put them outside in
freezing weather and wonder why their electric bill is beyond belief.
The OP needs to build a structure around it, attached to the house.
There is no other way to cut the cost by anything significant, when
the thing is outdoors in winter. Insulate the structure well, and you
will see big savings in power usage. For summer use, make some of the
walls of this structure removable, maybe even part of the roof.
Myself, I'll stick to a hot bath in my bathtub !!!
.
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