Switch on to solar heating for your hot tub

An unexpected effect of lockdown has been a boom in people buying a hot tub for their garden.

One company said sales were up by 200 per cent on last year while another reported they had sold more than 60 tubs a week in March.

“I think one of the reasons is that householders have not been going on holiday, but they still wanted that summer feeling,” said Midlands green energy expert Ron Fox. “Also, as they had saved money by not going out during the pandemic, they decided to splash out to relax in their own garden.

“The problem is that now the heating bills are coming in and, together with the cost of chemicals to keep the water clean, people are shocked to realise they have running costs of up to nearly £1,000 a year for their hot tub.

“As well, owners are wasting energy because they do not realise that a concrete base absorbs the hot tub heat, while not putting on a good quality cover can also lose heat,” he added. 

“But there is a solution – use solar power to heat your hot tub which cuts your bills by up to 70 per cent as well as helping the environment by not using carbon fuels,” said Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science and Innovation Park.  

He said that by harnessing heat from free sunlight and using solar panels or a solar assisted heat pump people can warm up their hot tub at a fraction of the normal cost. 

A solar assisted heat pump or thermodynamic panel solar system consists of an aluminium collector, which is fitted to the wall or roof, plus a unit installed near the cylinder, or in the loft. 

The thermodynamic panel absorbs heat from the atmosphere to turn the refrigerant liquid into a gas, which is then compressed into a hot fluid again to heat the water in the nearby cylinder. This is later returned to the collector to begin the whole process again.

“Although there is an initial cost outlay,” admitted Ron, “people will be lowering their bills considerably and will save money in the long term.” 

Another benefit is that they can add some outdoor sockets and an infrared panel to warm the air around the hot tub for those sitting outside, or they could use their hot tub heating system to heat the whole house.

He said there were also many health benefits from having a hot tub, including lowering blood pressure, relaxing muscles, relieving stiffness and inflammation in joints and helping relieve emotional stress and tension. 

“With the Bank Holiday coming up this weekend and the easing of lockdown allowing you to invite more friends and families round it’s a great way to have an outside birthday or anniversary party at your home,” concluded Ron. 

For more details about using green energy to heat your hot tub and your home, call Ron on 01782 756995.

Caption: Solar heating – the hot way to heat your tub.