Did you know that a poor-quality hot tub cover can cause your energy bills to be up to 30% higher? Many people do not realize just how much energy is being wasted because of an old, worn-out spa cover. A poor-quality spa cover with low insulation value will also cause your energy bills to skyrocket!
At Spa Covers Etc., we offer high-quality, highly insulated spa covers for all shapes and sizes. If your square spa requires a square hot tub cover, we offer a few options to get the right fit for your spa.
Square spas may have corners that come to a point. We refer to this as a basic spa and will require a square spa cover.
Some of the older model spas have “cut corners” and requires a square spa cover with the corners cut for the spa cover to match the shape of the spa.
This square spa has 1) cut corner so we made a square spa cover with 1) cut corner. Many times, you will find an older portable spa made with all four (4) corners cut and they usually have the same dimensions but its recommended that you measure the spa’s cut corners to be sure that you order the correct size spa cover.
This square spa has rounded corners. All four (4) of the corners have been rounded off. The dimension of the spa’ radius determines how we cut the foam for it to conform to the proper shape. It is very important that a square spa with rounded corners has a proper fitting square spa cover with rounded corners.
Why your Hot Tub Cover is SO Important….
Your hot tub cover does more that keep dirt & debris out of the spa… It plays a crucial role in maintaining your hot tub’s desired temperature & efficiency. A good hot tub cover:
- Prevents Heat Loss: A well-insulated spa cover keeps the water at the desired temperature. The spa is always ready to use. No time wasted waiting for the spa to heat up.
- Reduces Water Evaporation: A spa that is heated will lose more water to evaporation than a spa that isn’t. But even a cold spa will lose some water to evaporation due to it sitting in the sun all day. A proper fitting square hot tub cover will reduce this up to 90%.
- Protects Against Weather & Debris: A hot day will increase evaporation. High winds will also cause evaporation. Not only will the spa cover prevent the water from leaving the spa it will prevent unwanted debris from getting in the hot tub. A spa cover that fits properly will keep pesky animals from getting in the spa as well as rain and snow. You want your perfectly pH balanced spa to be ready to go all the time. But water added to the spa in the form of rain or snow can “dilute” your chemicals putting the chemistry out of the desired ranges.
- Keeps the Cost of Maintaining the Spa Lower: A spa cover blocks the sun’s U.V. rays from the spa water. U.V. rays will destroy the spa’s sanitizer, and you will need to use much more if your spa is NOT covered. Sanitizer such as Bromine will NOT last 24 hours in a spa/ hot tub that is NOT covered. Without proper levels of sanitizer your spa is not safe to use and will be cloudy, have a bad smell and may break out with an algae bloom. Chlorine will work a bit better under these conditions, but it also has its drawbacks. A fiberglass spa, for example, should only use granular Chlorine. Other types of Chlorine such as Tablets or Liquid Chlorine have extreme pH values that will require other chemicals to bring the pH level to the desired range. A hot tub cover can eliminate the need for some chemicals altogether and will reduce the usage of others.
If your spa cover is old, torn, or physically damaged, it may be causing your energy bills to be higher and may be the reason you are using more chemicals than you did when the spa was new.
Signs You Need A New Hot Tub Cover:
- Feels heavier than when it was new. Has become water-logged: A good spa cover should be relatively lightweight and easy to remove/ replace. A water-logged spa cover will wick heat from the spa causing the heater to run more often and your energy bills to be higher. Additionally, a heavy spa cover can bend the cover lift and will discourage you from enjoying the spa.
- The Spa Cover is Cracked or Torn: Damage like this allows heat to escape and the sun to slowly destroy the eternal parts of the cover such as the foam core and vapor proof barrier.
- The Cover has Begun to Sag: If your spa cover is sagging, it is water-logged, or the foam has cracked. The spa cover will not make a good seal on the spa anymore and it isn’t retaining the heat like it should.
If you notice any of these issues, it’s time to replace your hot tub cover.
Choosing the Right Hot Tub Cover:
- Insulation: The R-Value of the spa cover should be taken into account and it should be based on the weather in your area. A spa in an area with snow should have a spa cover with a higher R-Value than a spa located in Southern California for example. (Thicker is NOT always better).
- Proper fit: A portable, fiberglass spa should fit exactly to the size of the spa. It should hang over the edges of the spa excessively. A built-in, plaster spa should have a spa cover about 8 inches larger than the actually body of water so that the cover has about a 4 inch perimeter on all sides for the cover to rest.
- Durable Materials: Not only should the cover use a U.V. marine grade vinyl but it should be able to withstand everything the spa throws at it! Spa Covers Etc. use a proprietary blend for their vinyl. This UNIQUE formula works better than “off-the-shelf” vinyl. Our vinyl also contains Chlorine & Bromine inhibitors that help the vinyl from being bleached and worn thin. Since the spa cover will be on a heated spa that is always wet our spa covers contain mold and mildew inhibitors. Additionally, it has been cold cracked test to Negative 40F so we know it can be outside in the coldest of winters.
- Strong Hinges and Steam Stoppers: Strong hinges are a must! They keep the cover together and support the weight of the spa cover if you are using a cover lifter. Steam Stoppers prevent steam from escaping along the center hinge. At Spa Covers Etc. ALL of our spa covers come standard with these features at NO extra cost!
Investing in a High-Quality Square Hot Tub Cover can lead to significant energy savings over time.
How Much Money Can You Save?
- Save Energy AND reduce your electricity bills by 20 to 30%.
- Extend the lifespan of your Hot Tub: Less heating means the heater can stop working from time to time. Less usage of the heater means it will last longer. A new electric heating element can be a costly repair.
- Use Less Water and Chemicals: If you use less water you will also use less chemicals. This is a Win Win scenario.
Over time, the savings can add up and a new spa cover will practically pay for itself.
If your spa cover is old and worn out, if its heavy and water-logged, it is COSTING you money! A new square spa cover from Spa Covers Etc. will keep your spa hot and ready to use and save you money at the same time.
