The backyard hot tub is a wonderful luxury that many homeowners enjoy. The soothing bubbles, the beautiful colors, and the relaxing sounds create an experience like no other. Other than that, the benefits of a hot tub include improved circulation, muscle relaxation, and stress relief.
However, this enjoyment comes with a cost — environmental impact. Follow these eco-friendly tips for building your backyard hot tub so you can enjoy it guilt-free!
How to Make Your Hot Tub More Eco-Friendly
Invest in Waste Management
Investing in waste management can help to reduce the number of harmful chemicals that get into our waterways. Some manufacturers make eco-friendly spas that don’t require harsh chemical cleaners and use less electricity because they are smaller than traditional jacuzzis. You can find out more about these devices in the Intex hot tubs reviews.
Get a Hot Tub Cover and Insulate it
Many hot tubs have a cover that is easy to remove and insulate. You can also get an insulated cover for your existing one or purchase insulation from the manufacturer of your spa. If you’re using a pool blanket, it’s important to secure them with lock clips, so they don’t fly off in strong winds.
Keeping the tub covered is important for energy efficiency because it minimizes heat loss through evaporation. It also keeps dirt, debris, and insects from getting into your hot tub.
Use Solar Power
Solar power is one of the most cost-effective ways to heat your hot tub as you don’t have any ongoing running costs. A solar-powered hot tub can be up to 70% cheaper than a traditional electric system.
Start by looking into a solar heating system that can be fitted to your hot tub.
Some manufacturers have all the components ready for you, while others give instructions on building one yourself. If this sounds too complicated, don’t worry, as there are plenty of companies who provide complete kits and installation services at reasonable prices so you can start enjoying your new hot tub sooner.
Several options are available for those who prefer not to install a new hot tub and would rather retrofit solar heating. For example: Adding panels on the roof of your existing spa
Installing panels in an external box around the perimeter of your hot tub cover. That way, you can enjoy all the benefits without having to make any major changes to your existing hot tub.
For those who like the idea of a solar-powered water heater but still want some control over their temperature and pressure settings, you can look into hybrid power systems that combine both modes of heating:
Electric heat pumps (powered by renewables such as wind) which work alongside an existing water heater
Solar power running in parallel to an existing electric system (such as a gas or oil boiler)
For many people, the added cost of installing solar panels will be outweighed by the long-term savings on their energy bills. The initial costs may seem high, but over time you’ll start reaping the benefits and will have started on the path to a greener lifestyle.
Re-think Your Sanitizers
One of the biggest misconceptions about hot tubs is that they should be sanitized with chlorine, bromine, or other harsh chemicals to keep them safe for public use. Modern spas are not like swimming pools and do not need these chemicals because modern filters can easily remove contaminants before they spread to users. If you want your hot tub, you can use salt water or UV light to clean your spa.
These options are better for the environment and your skin, but you will still need to shock your spa once in a while with regular chlorine.
This is why many people look at natural disinfectants for their devices, as they do not reduce the benefits of a hot tub, but only increase them.
Use Best Practices When Draining
Eco-friendly draining practices are to drain into a floor or ground that is designed for water drainage. This prevents any chemicals from seeping into the groundwater, which can contaminate drinking water supplies.
If you do not have an ideal drainage system, it is best to drain the water into a bucket that can be disposed of in the local recycling system.
If you use a gas or propane hot tub, drain into an open-top container to prevent flammable fumes from building up inside the bucket.
Most backyard hot tubs use regular garden hoses for draining. Be sure not to leave any end of the hose submerged in standing water after the hot tub empties, or it will likely become a mosquito breeding ground.
Clean Your Hot Tub Filters Frequently
If you are using a hot tub, then it is important to keep your filter clean. If the filters in your hot tub aren’t cleaned regularly, they won’t do their job effectively, and some people have even experienced problems with algae growth due to dirty filters. A good rule of thumb is that you will likely need to change the filters more often if you see debris building up on your filter. Changing hot tub filters regularly is an easy way to reduce how much water needs to be treated and can help extend the life of your hot tub’s heater as well.
