Energy prices in the UK are at an all time high! from an average price of 12.10p per kwh in 2011 and now standing at 25.9p kWh. That is a staggering 114% increase and as it stands the price cap is due to be removed in April. Where bills are expected to soar another 40% on top of the price now !
This article isn’t to scare anyone off ownership but to help you ensure you keep the costs down as low as possible. Here are some tips below on keeping costs to a minimum
- Ensure you filtering cycles are correct and they can be reduced to a minimum 2 x 1 hr cycles. This can be set to coincide with cheaper electric at night on some tariffs. Excessive filtering will cost more to run your spa. However to low filtering and heavy usage can cause water clarity issues so its a balance.
- Ensure the lid is in good condition and fitted firmly closed. If you cover is heavy and full of water it will cost you more to run. You may need to invest in a new cover. Remember heavy covers also put added pressure on lifter arms and can bend them, rendering them unusable.
- Depending on your usage, it maybe be cheaper to drop the temperature when not in use. However this method is not proven and there is a difference of opinions across the industry. Some swear it works and others claim it costs more.
- Invest in a spa jacket for your spa. Something like this will stop wind blowing into your cabinet and under your lid that may cause a cooling affect, that will mean the heater kicks in and costs you more money. This is even more important in exposed or windy locations https://uk-leisure-living.aquawebshop.co.uk/products/spa-bag-padded-universal-size
- Some hot tubs have two + Pumps only turn on the pump you need to turn on. Having all the jets on unnecessarily will cost you more money to run.
- Some Cheap Acrylic hot tubs (Not made in the USA) have no insulation in them at all inc the floor ! we are hearing some crazy stories of peoples electric going up £600 a month ! Our American Spas have levels of insulation as standard and 2022 models are looking to have more again fitted. Once the manufacturers have established a firm design and product, we are looking to offer a retro fit upgrade kit to help our customers. This will not invalidate any warranties.
- Don’t forget your hot tub will naturally cost more to run in the winter than in the summer. So takes this into consideration.
- If you have a Gecko control pad (fitted on all aspens spas 2017 onwards) consider the wifi kit upgrade. You can lower and increase the temp from anywhere in the World. This flexibility allows you to take control of you costs. Its also perfect for holiday lets when the screen is locked and customers want the temp higher or lower.
- Heat pumps are a new way of reducing energy costs. They have a significant investment circa £2500 – £3000 but they can reduce your costs by up to 75% according to the manufacturer. If you are interested in this approach please get in touch https://www.ukleisureliving.co.uk/contact-us/
- Another option to heat your spa is through a heat exchanger and use your Gas Boiler or possibly biomass or existing heat pump. This would need to be done in conjunction with a qualified heating engineer. to ensure it all works as it should from the hot tub side and the existing heat source side. This option can be cost effective however consideration needs to be made on how we run pipes from your boiler etc to the spa and these may need to be dug down and insulated etc if you are interested in this aspect get in touch here https://www.ukleisureliving.co.uk/contact-us/
Hot Tubs by their very nature are heavy users of electric and its impossible for us to predict your running costs. Once installed every homes has different usage patterns. The key is follow our guidance and this will help you. We could say minimize the usage but that is not the idea of a hot tub. Its an expensive item and you need to use it whether for relaxation or pain relief.
The very last option open to you, is to consider solar panels. Solar panels have come along way since their inception some 30 years ago. They now provide day time power even on cloudy days. Obviously sunnier the better but free electric is better than buying from the grid. We work alongside leading Solar Specialists Carbon Zero Renewables. They are part of the UK Leisure Living Group and have stood as leaders in this field globally for over 10 years. So whether you have a flat roof, sloping, metal roof or slate. They can design a system to best suit your needs of the property. As anything there is a cost but solar is now at a level, where we can see paybacks of 6-8 years on domestic level installations. That payback estimate doesn’t include the potential rise in costs in April either. So we could see paybacks being even quicker! Solar has become a no brainer for anyone with an electric car or with a hot tub. For more information of solar energy check out http://www.carbonzerorenewables.co.uk/
They were recently featured in a BBC news Article and Gareth the CEO, was featured recently on ITV and BBC News talking about the benefits of solar energy at home. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-59668836
We hope this article gives you some help and support at this strange time of rising energy costs.
