Many buyers who were originally considering a hot tub or swimming pool have ended up installing a swim spa instead. Swim spas are a versatile compromise between hot tubs and swimming pools that have many advantages over conventional aquatic choices. If you want to learn more about swim spas such as how is a swim spa heated, their energy efficiency or their seasonal use, we’ve come up with an article to provide the answers.
What Is A Swim Spa?
Swim spas might be considered the middle ground between a full-sized swimming pool and a hot tub. Although much smaller than a swimming pool, swim spas allow continuous swimming through the use of a current generator. The current produced is strong enough to keep the swimmer in place ensuring they never reach the end of the water tank or need to turn around and swim in the other direction. It can be described as being similar to jogging on a treadmill. Swim spas are generally somewhat larger than hot tubs but share many of the features that make hot tub so attractive. Swim spas can be equipped with strong water jets that provide a massaging effect. They can also feature personalized seating arrangements and optional entertainment systems.
How Is A Swim Spa Heated?
The size of swim spas allows for easy control of the water temperature and allows them to be used throughout the year – even in cold weather. If you’re looking for a hot tub experience it’s very easy to get the water temperature up to the recommended 104 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’d rather be exercising and practicing your swimming stroke, you’ll probably want to keep the water temperature under 80 degrees.
Can A Swim Spa Be Energy Efficient?
There are a number of ways to increase the energy efficiency of a swim spa. Whether you install your swim spa inground or above ground will play a role in the amount of energy it uses. Inground installations take advantage of the insulating properties of the surrounding ground to retain heat. Above ground swim spas can make use of additional insulation around the cabinet, interior shell, and water pump motor to keep the heat from escaping the water too easily. Thermal vents can also be used to retain heat in cold weather or allow it to disperse in warmer weather. Pressurized water filtration systems can also reduce energy use by speeding up the filtration process. One of the best ways to retain water heat is to use a good fitting swim spa cover when it’s not in use. This will trap the heat and help keep the water clean.
Should A Swim Spa Be Run Constantly?
How you run your swim spa will depend on how much and how often you use it. If your swim spa is getting regular use, it’s probably better to keep it running to maintain a constant water temperature. This will use much less energy than turning if off after every use. That said, if you’re going on holiday or the swim spa isn’t getting used on a regular basis, you could save energy by turning it off and covering it up. You’ll have to plan ahead before you use it next as it will take some time to get it back to a comfortable temperature. If you plan to use your swim spa over the winter, it’s best to keep it running so the water temperature doesn’t get too low. Allowing water to freeze in your swim spa can cause damage to the components. If you plan on turning it off during extremely cold weather, it’s best to drain it completely.
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