www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
HotTubTechnology AUG 2010 sPn
35
It’s now about £n£rgy costs!
Have we seen the end of major developments in hot tub technology? Or are there still energy saving and eco issues to be resolved? With the high cost of electricity, people seeking to buy a hot tub are taking its total power consumption into consideration. The new lines in hot tubs will offset this by using less power, making for a total lower cost of ownership throughout the life of the tub
W
hen Hollywood launched the comedy film ‘The Hot Tub Time Machine’ earlier this year, clearly it was an indication that technology
had reached its limits in being able to get a hot tub to travel through time! Those who have been in the hot tub business
for a decade or more could easily claim the changes in technology have in fact been almost as monumental, taking basic hot tub shells and developing them into bespoke quality and reliable machines which are self cleaning and boast extras such as TVs, DVDs, surround sound music systems, waterfalls and sophisticated massage jets that are multi functional to deal with every aspect of hydro-massage. So how far as technology gone – and what else
is likely to be done in the coming years to appeal to more discerning buyers? And are hot tub buyers really ‘switched on’ by technology as much as some of the specialist trade seem to think? Many manufacturers now think there’s little
more that can be done in terms of ‘sitting in the water’ when it comes to hot tubs. Where the changes are likely to come are with
eco, carbon footprint and energy issues. The ‘e’ e-smart technology symbol used in the
United States stands for energy efficiencies, engineering, economies and environment. From the initial engineering design stage through manufacturing, recycling and product usage, in 2010 hot tub manufacturers see a benefit in keeping hot tubs environmentally sound. Smarter pump programming is at the heart of
these savings, but hydraulic design has also become increasingly important. Spa manufacturers are spending more time looking at hydraulics of water flow to use less plumbing and pumping power. This has allowed designers to install smaller
pumps to avoid wasted amperage. And it’s not just to be green. The more affordable a hot tub is operationally, the greater potential it has for the market.
The theme is certainly energy efficiency. Hot
tubs have in the past been criticised for heat loss through the cabinet. Now hot tubs are more likely to be fully insulated with everything from cabinets to pipe work to behind control panels being lagged and insulated so that heat is recycled and reused to help heat the water. Solar energy for hot tubs will also be seen as a
technological move forward but how practical is it just for a hot tub? One solar consultant told us: “How much you
save on electricity depends on the type of tub you buy. Solar options for hot tubs are limited and will only work as part of a bigger investment in solar energy for the house. Over time you will be able to save money on energy, however, and that should more than make up for the upfront cost. You should plan on keeping and using your hot tub for at least five years before you can expect to make up in electricity savings that you spent up front to get the more expensive solar operated hot tub.”
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