6May
Tips for Being Eco-Friendly When Using Your Hot Tub
Love soaking in your hot tub but are concerned about the potential environmental impact? Don’t be! Contrary to what you may have been told, you don’t need to sacrifice being environmentally friendly in order to continue using your hot tub.
Here’s a look at the different steps you can take to conserve both water and energy while using your hot tub.
HOW MUCH WATER HOT TUBS USE ON AVERAGE
The average hot tub uses 400 gallons of water, which can last for up to four months with proper care. So that ends up averaging to less than 3 gallons of water per day, or 1% of household water consumption.
The average North American household uses 400 gallons of water per day, compared to the average hot tub using 400 gallons of water every four months.
TIPS FOR CONSERVING WATER WITH YOUR HOT TUB
With regular care and maintenance, and a few adjustments to your hot tub habits, you can conserve your water and not have to drain it as often.
Reduce Draining Frequency
Draining and refilling a hot tub uses plenty of water. A standard hot tub needs to be drained and refilled every three to four months. While a hot tub with a saltwater system only needs to be drained once a year.
But if you don’t want to switch to a saltwater system, there are other ways to reduce your draining frequency, such as taking the upcoming steps to keep the water cleaner for longer.
By keeping the water cleaner for longer, you can reduce the number of times you drain your hot tub to two to three times a year.
Clean and Replace Filters Often
Hot tub filters keep the water clean and free of dust, dirt, debris, leaves, insects, and other contaminants. So filters must be cleaned regularly to filter the water effectively. And they also need to be replaced yearly.
Check on the condition of your filter once a week, looking for cracks, wear, and tear. You can rinse it off with a garden hose once a week and soak it in filter cleaner once a month.
Keep Your Hot Tub Covered
Always cover your hot tub when not in use. Your hot tub cover will prevent water loss from evaporation. And it will also keep out contaminants from animals, birds, insects, leaves, sap, and dirt.
Along with conserving water, keeping your hot tub covered will also save energy by maintaining the water temperature and using less energy to keep the hot tub at its set temperature.
Check for Leaks
Hot tub leaks are a preventable cause of water loss. So keep an eye out for leaks in and around your hot tub. Pay special attention to the water level to make sure it isn’t dropping faster than usual.
Also, inspect the outside cabinet for moisture. And check the area around the base of the cabinet for water each time you use your hot tub.
When you do drain and clean your hot tub, inspect the pipes for rot and wear, and check the inside compartment for moisture.
If you do suspect a leak, contact your local hot tub pros for help with leak repairs.
Be Conscious with Jets
If aimed too high, your jets will spurt water outside and lead to plenty of water loss over time. So be mindful of where your jets are pointing. And adjust the nozzles so the water is aimed below the waterline.
Rinse Yourself Off Before Use
Take a quick shower without soap to rinse off before using your hot tub. Otherwise, you will bring contaminants into the water, such a sweat, oils, and chemicals from deodorant, moisturizer, sunscreen, and other products you use on your hair and skin.
Also, rinse off your bathing suit too to avoid contaminating the water with any impurities, such as leftover laundry detergent residue.
Re-Use Water as Greywater
Hot tub water that is about to be drained can be re-used as greywater—water that is used for washing cars, decks, driveways, and homes, and flushing toilets, and watering non-edible plants. Before using it as greywater, let the water sit in the hot tub covered for three days without adding chemicals.
ENERGY SAVING ADVICE
Along with conserving water, you can save energy with these tips:
Reduce Pumping Cycles
Often, filtration cycles for single- and two-speed pumps run for four hours. But you might be able to reduce the set time of this cycle on your pump to three hours, and only run it during off-peak hours to reduce your energy consumption.
But if your hot tub has a low-wattage circulation pump, it is designed to run continuously, so don’t touch its settings.
Shift Water Heating to Off-Peak Times
Choosing to heat your hot tub during off-peak times will help reduce energy consumption during peak usage times. So check your local energy supplier to see when the off-peak times are and program the timer to only run during these times. With Hydro Ottawa, off-peak hours are all day on weekends, and 7 pm to 7 am on weekdays.
Or you can set the timer to “off” during peak times, which are usually 7 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 7 pm on weekdays in winter (November 1 to April 30), and 11 am to 5 pm in summer (May 1 to October 31).
Re-Set Your Thermostat
Many hot tubs come with pre-set temperatures that are higher than necessary. So if you re-set the temperature of your hot tub by even just two degrees lower than usual, you can reduce your energy consumption without a noticeable difference in temperature.
Turn Down Heat When Going Away
If you plan to be away from home for five or more days, turn down the hot tub’s heating thermostat since you won’t be using it for a while. Many hot tubs have vacation modes or freeze-protect systems that will only turn on the heat enough times to prevent the water from freezing in winter while helping to conserve energy when you’re away. But don’t turn your hot tub off completely.
Keep these tips in mind to help reduce your energy and water consumption, and do your part to take care of the planet. With a bit of care, planning, and thoughtfulness, you can conserve water and energy with your hot tub, and be an eco-friendly hot tub owner.