For those who but don’t have a lot of space but are interested in being able to swim and soak within the privacy of their own property, a swim spa can be a great compromise. Swim spas are composed of a compact water tank which contains a powerful motor that creates a current strong enough to swim against. You don’t need the length of a full-sized swimming pool or lap pool as you’re essentially swimming on the spot. The current you’re swimming against ensures you’ll never actually reach the end of the tank. Swim spas are versatile because they also let you heat the water high enough so you can use it in the same way as you would use a hot tub. So how are swim spas heated? In this article, we’ll go over the basics of swim spa operations and how to keep them efficiently heated.
Water Temperature
If you’re using your swim spa for a swimming workout, you don’t want the water to be so warm that it becomes uncomfortable once you start generating extra body heat. It’s been found that the ideal water temperature for swimming is in the range of 78 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re looking to use your swim spa as a hot tub, you’ll want to increase the temperature to as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Unless you have separate tanks for swimming and soaking, raising the water temperature from a comfortable swimming level to hot tub-style warmth will take some time, so you’ll need to keep this in mind. To speed up this process employ the swim spa cover while heating.
Heat Consistency
It may seem counterintuitive but keeping your water temperature at a constant level is more energy-efficient than turning off your water heater and allowing the temperature to drop after every use. Heating up cold water takes far more energy than maintaining a consistent temperature. That said if you plan on not using your swim spa for a month or more, turning off the water heater will save you money. If it’s not being used for only a couple of weeks, you can conserve energy by turning the thermometer down a few degrees rather than turning off the water heater altogether.
Climate
The type of climate your area experiences will play a large part in how hard your water heater has to work to keep the temperature level. Those in the south will obviously have an easier time keeping their water warmer than those in the north who are running their swim spa throughout the winter. That said, for those who experience harsh winters, swim spas really show off their versatility. It’s virtually impossible to keep a full-sized outdoor swimming pool when the temperatures fall below freezing, but a swim spa is small enough that it can be used all year round, no matter where you live.
Insulation
Different swim spa models have varying levels of insulation. Those that are designed for warmer climates or are installed in the ground have less insulation than above-ground models made for colder climates. If you live in a warm part of the country you won’t have to worry so much about insulation, but if you live in a colder area and want to use your swim spa year round you’ll be much better off in the long run by investing in a well-insulated model. No matter where you live you should also consider using tight-fitting, insulated swim spa cover. Not only will it reduce the amount of debris that gets in the water, but it will also cut down on heat loss when the swim spa isn’t in use.
To find out more information about how are swim spas heated, download a free buyer’s guide today.