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Warning over cheap hot tubs that could be adding £400 to your energy bills – how to cut costs
We share ten ways you can save on using a hot tub
SUNSHINE has returned to the UK and many may be considering splashing out on a hot tub.
But your new relaxing jacuzzi might leave you a little red in the face once your electricity bill arrives.
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Luckily we've got tips on how to cut costs so you don't have to give up the back garden luxury.
With plenty of retailers bargaining off their own stock, you might have been tempted to make a purchase of your own.
But energy saving experts say that some of the least energy efficient models - which are often the cheapest ones - could add a whopping £400 to electricity bills.
This is because they tend to lack good quality insulation.
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Nicholas Auckland at Trade Radiators said: "Look at it in the same way as heating your home.
"Without insulation, the heat created inside quickly leaves through the walls, doors, windows, ceiling and floor, meaning that you have to continue to heat up your home at a higher level to continually reach the desired temperature.
"This is the same with hot tubs.
"If you want your hot tub to reach 40C, but the hot tub doesn't have proper insulation, it will be working harder and using more energy to keep at this high temperature."
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If use an energy-efficient hot tub every weekend across the three months of summer, you'd spend around £62.28, according to Nicholas.
But if you were to use a less energy-efficient model, you'd be spending a whopping £463.80.
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This means you could be spending an extra £395.52 more using a cheaper hot tub with poor insulation.
Of course, the exact cost of running a hot tub will depend on how much you use it, the model you have, and how much you pay for energy.
How can I still enjoy my hot tub and keep costs down?
Insulating your new hot tub is your best bet at keeping costs down.
Cheaper hot tubs that are available from high street retailers aren't going to be as insulated because of their low price so they'll let out heat very quickly.
That means it'll have to work harder to heat up meaning you fork out a lot more on your bills in the process - and plenty of what you do fork out for is wasted.
Nicholas explained that due to poor insulation these could easily cost five times the amount a fairly insulated design could to run too.
So he said you should cover the hot tub with a thermal cover when it's not in use to keep the heat in.
Have a shop around as these can vary in size and and effectiveness - you'll need to find the right one to fit the hot tub you already have or it won't fit and you could waste your money.
If you can't afford to fork out for tech to keep the heat in, then you can try reducing its thermostat by a couple of degrees.
Just like with the heating inside your home, you won't feel much of a difference in temperature, but it could help save money whilst you continue to enjoy your tub.
Another free way of lowering costs is to think about where you position the hot tub – keep it away from wind and breezes that will cool the water so it doesn't have to work harder to heat back up again.
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You can also install a smart meter to keep track of all your energy bills.
Use it to monitor how much your spending and at what times of days and rethink what you should be leaving on.
More money-saving hot tub tips
WE asked Nicholas Auckland at Trade Radiators for his top ten money and energy-saving hot top tips.
- Always use a high-quality, insulated cover when the hot tub is not in use. This helps retain heat and reduces the energy needed to reheat the water.
- Consider adding a floating thermal blanket under the main cover for extra insulation.
- Set the hot tub to a lower temperature when not in use. A reduction of just a few degrees can save significant energy.
- Regularly clean and replace filters to ensure the hot tub runs efficiently and doesn’t overwork itself in order to maintain water cleanliness.
- Use a smart thermostat to control heating more efficiently and only heat the water when necessary.
- Jets and blowers can significantly increase energy consumption. Use them sparingly and turn them off when not needed.
- Limit the time you spend in the hot tub to reduce the overall energy usage.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for draining and refilling the hot tub to keep the water clean and reduce the workload on the heating system.
- Place your hot tub in a sheltered area to protect it from wind and weather, which can cause heat loss.
- Position the hot tub to take advantage of natural sunlight, which can help heat the water".
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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