100 Ways to Reduce Your Impact

Step 40 Cool down your spa when you are not using it

Reduce the heat of your spas during the day when you are not using it. Raise the heat when you feeling like using the spa. Keeping it hot all day uses a good amount of energy.

Sorry no picture, I do not own a spa.

Comments

[MrPotatoHead]

Sorry, but this one is false...

Lowering the temperature for a single day will actually cost you more. Always maintaining a temperature at which you are comfortable is the best solution. Maintaining a temperature cost less than having to gain 5-20 degrees.

The reason it's cheaper to maintain a stable temperature is because the heater will only have to work a few seconds from times to times to keep the temperature, if you lower it it will actually have to heat a lot longer to regain that temperature.

If someone doesn't plan on using the spa for more than a week or two, than maybe it will be more efficient to lower the temperature. But it always depends on your climate.

I'm a spa repairman, I have this discussion with customers every other day....

[BobCat]

You have been misinforming your customers.

http://www.microsoft-hohm.com/Recommendation/Pool_Reduce_Temperature.aspx
http://www.microsoft-hohm.com/Recommendation/Spa_Reduce_Temperature.aspx

The greater the temperature differential between two bodies [for instance, a spa and its surroundings], the greater the rate of heat transference.

This is simple physics, there is no question that it is correct.

[FireStorm005]

I would have to agree, water has one of the highest Specific heat capacities of any substance.  Specific heat capacity is the measure of how much energy it takes to change the temperature of the substance.

See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_heat_capacity#Table_of_specific_heat_capacities

[MrPotatoHead]

The false one is #40... Forgot to mention it...

[gbaughma]

Have a good, insulated cover for your spa, even if it is inside. A cover will help your spa maintain a constant temperature, plus it will also keep the water from evaporating. That evaporated water in your home could cause mold problems from the high humidity, and also requires you to keep "topping off" the spa.