A common misconception and deterrent for prospective spa pool buyers is the belief that they’ll cost an arm and a leg to run. However, that’s not necessarily the case, much like our precious cars, spa pool running costs will depend on how well the spa has been looked after, along with the age of the machine. This article will explain a few easy tips to help you minimise the running costs of your beloved spa pool.
Insulate Your Spa
You’ve already done most of the work in this department by selecting an Alpine Spa, as the whole range comes with comprehensive insulation. However, it’s essential to take every step possible to help your insulation do its job, so your heater isn’t constantly working overtime to retain your set temperature. A well-insulated spa pool cover is of critical importance as it will stop water, heat, and chemicals from escaping out the top of your spa. If you haven’t got a well-insulated spa cover, we recommend considering it, available from Spa Supplies.
Adjust Temperature According To Your Usage
If you’re using the spa pool frequently then leaving a set temperature you’re comfortable with makes sense so the spa doesn’t have to heat up from low temperatures and use a lot of energy to do so. If you know you’re away for the weekend or your usage has dropped off because of the season or any other reason, setting the spa at a lower temperature such as the low 30’s would be beneficial to ensure you’re not significantly heating the spa for nothing. Don’t forget the running modes available in the SpaNet control panel which allow you to turn off heating during certain days of the week! Alpine Spa owners – see your Owner’s Manual.
Utilise Off-Peak Power Hours
Find out your power company’s off-peak hours and look to heat your spa pool during this window. Often these off-peak hours will be early in the morning or late at night when fewer people are using electricity. Setting your spa via the control panel to heat your spa during this window to significantly reduce your monthly power bill.
You may also wish to investigate your current power plan in more detail as some electricity providers have plans that accommodate low or high energy users. A spa pool would usually push you out of a low user plan.
Block Your Spa from the Wind
Surprising for some, wind can play a big part in determining your spa pool’s running costs. You see, the speed at which air passes above your spa will directly impact how quickly your water evaporates. In short, more wind equals faster evaporation of water, as well as the heat and chemicals that water holds. For this reason, we recommend positioning your pool to be sheltered from the wind where possible. You may want to consider modelling your outdoor furniture into a makeshift windbreak or invest in a Cover Lifter which creates a wind barrier on a particular side when the cover’s in the open position. This will keep costs down and ensure you’re relaxing in a warm, calm area.
Keep Your Spa’s Interior Clean
Another instruction that may seem obvious for some users – it’s crucial to understand why this is so important. Dirty spa pool water will make your filters work harder than necessary and will leave residue in your spa’s plumbing system – forcing components like your heater to work significantly harder to do their job. Whenever your spa pool is drained we recommend giving the shell a thorough wipe down with a microfibre cloth to get rid of any and all residue. It’s also essential to clean your spa’s removable filter or filters. We recommend using a Waterwand for this step, as it will reach deep into the pleats of your filter offering a comprehensive clean. When you can’t get the filters as clean as you once could, it’s time to replace them.
Keep Air Venturis Closed When Not in Use
A super-easy step to save money on power is keeping your air venturis closed when the spa is not in use. The air venturis are controlled by the smaller physical dials on the top of the spa, that will simply open or close airflow to the jets, resulting in stronger pressure. When they’re left open, they will continue to suck in air, which can contribute to cooling your spa pool’s water. Make sure you turn them back on when you want that extra pressure boost or water circulation.
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