Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: luvin_tubin_sqezin on May 30, 2006, 09:42:18 am
-
Hi all!
Just wondering if it's necessary to prop open the cover a bit when temps rise into the 80's and higher.
Thought I read here a while back something about that but cannot find the thread.
If so, why and for what length of time?
TIA!
-
I think it depends how hot you want your tub. We've had weather into the 80's and 90's the last few weeks. When the tub was set for 101 it got up to 103, so we propped it for afternoon to get it down. We have had it set at 100 now and it doesn't seem to get over 101. Today looks like a very very hot day, so I may need to lower the temp and start propping soon.
-
I think it depends how hot you want your tub. We've had weather into the 80's and 90's the last few weeks. When the tub was set for 101 it got up to 103, so we propped it for afternoon to get it down. We have had it set at 100 now and it doesn't seem to get over 101. Today looks like a very very hot day, so I may need to lower the temp and start propping soon.
So, the only reason you prop open the cover is to regulate the temp. Ok...now that you mention it, we had our first 90+ degree day yesterday and the temp did get up over the set temp.
Thanks Brook.
-
I was having same problem and had my tub set at 98 and it was reading 100-101. It has been in the low 90's here off and on.
will prop cover, Thanks.
-
Hi all!
Just wondering if it's necessary to prop open the cover a bit when temps rise into the 80's and higher.
Thought I read here a while back something about that but cannot find the thread.
If so, why and for what length of time?
TIA!
I prop my cover with 2 Tennis Balls; The temp here has been around 92 the few days and I have my hot tub set at 100 and it was 104 the other night; a bit too warm for me, during this time of year. I leave it propped all summer once the temps stay steady in the 90's. Works great for me!
Peachy
-
I've never heard of a reason to prop open the cover. My thought is the water would evaporate and you'd have to add water to refill. If ours gets too hot I just drag the hose over and put in an inch or 2 of cold water. Once when I needed to cool it down quick I dumped our auto ice maker tray in. Kids thought I was nuts but it dropped the temp a couple of degrees in a hurry.
-
I have to add a little water about once a week anyway, whether I prop the cover or not, especially when the weather starts getting warmer; it seems to evaporate more quickly in the summer months. I got the idea of propping the cover from this forum, last summer. It's worked well for me.
Peachy
-
I'm a newbie at this. Don't even have my hot tub yet but wouldn't it just be simpler to set the temperature lower during the summer?
-
I'm a newbie at this. Don't even have my hot tub yet but wouldn't it just be simpler to set the temperature lower during the summer?
What happens Dsegal the sumemr heat and the heat gernerated from the pumps (from filtering) can cause the insualted tub to go above the lowest setting.
-
Oh! Duh, I didn't know there was a lowest setting!!!! :P
-
I'm a newbie at this. Don't even have my hot tub yet but wouldn't it just be simpler to set the temperature lower during the summer?
The water temp was 100. I set mine for 94 degrees. I left it covered and came back 6 hours later. The water temp was 99.
Looks as if I'll have to open the cover a bit in order to drop the temperature on real hot and sunny days.
-
HotSpring tubs have a "Summer Mode" switch. You turn it on and the circ pump stops for eight hours. You are supposed to turn it on at the start of the hottest period of the day, and it will kill the circ pump from that moment every day for eight hours. If the heat is needed during that time, it will come on as needed, but it is rarely needed or you wouldn't be turning the summer switch on.
The circ pump puts a small amount of heat into the water - and that can run the temp up in hot weather since the tub is so well insulated. And filtered...
:)
-
Many spas have summer settings that allow for less filtration or circulation during the warmer hours of the day. I set my summer timer and my spa maintains 101 deg without any thermal creaping. I tend to use a little more chlorine due to the ozone system shutting down for 8 hours during the day. It's better then getting into 106 deg water when it's 98 deg outside.
Sorry to reiterate what Chas already stated....Didn't see his post. :)
-
I sell cover props. They are plastic and will hold your cover open the ideal amount.
$25 a piece. (+S&H) Please let me know your tub, the size of your cover and CC #.
These will not negativly affect your water chemistry as other more exspeisive cover props might. They are compatable on virtually all hot tubs and will not void the warrenty.
Please PM me if you'd like to order one.
-
Tennis balls work good too and they are cheap! :-)
-
Propping the cover works great and I haven't seen significant water loss. Also, I make a habit of opening the tub when I get home from work and letting it sit for a while. Temp will decrease nicely. For those of us in warmer climates (FL here) and whose tubs are in direct sun all day, this helps extremely well.
One thing I might add....using bungee cords with your cover straps is a good idea should a thunderstorm visit since you won't be able to use your normal cover clips with the cover propped.
-
I've done two things with the recent hot weather. Installed two vented side panels to help release heat and use the blower to help cool the tub. With an outside temp in the 90's and with the vented panel, I've been able to hold 98F-99F. With the blower, the tub open, and about 45 minutes, I've been able to get it down to 95 which is quite comfortable and refreshing in hot weather. While I initially rejected getting the blower as an unnecessary expense and used it very little in the winter, it's been quite useful in the summer. If you live in an area that gets hot in the summer and are considering spa, consider one with a blower. For those who don't know, a blower has a dedicated air pump thay will bubble (blow) water through holes independent of the jets. I have now have no regrets flipping a few extra $ for the blower.
-
This is a really useful post for me, facing my first summer with the tub. I freaked out a little the first 85 deg day we had, cuz I had the pumps/filter going for about 2 hours on high with cover on (trying to clear up cloudy water- another not-so-good story) and the temp went from then set 102 to 105. I was worried that during the summer my filtration might be affected since the tub will not cycle on to filter or ozonate (unless manually set) if the temp goes 2-3 deg above set point.
I agree that the blower is great for that purpose, and the cool air feels good when sitting in the tub, too. I may try tennis balls during the day when I'm gone, to keep the tub filtering and ozonating as normally as possible.
stl-rex- do you know how much those vented panels are, and what are they like? I dont want tree detritus getting in my cabinet, or encouraging more spiders (already have enough)
Drew- why would you need a special $25 prop, and how would other props would negatively affect water chemistry? I'll spend $25 on my new favorite $$$$$ sink-hole if it is important, but that seems like something pretty easy to make at home. What am I missing?
:)
-
Looks like drew is starting a new business......hawking cover props.......or continuing an old business......pulling peoples' legs.......
I'm betting on the latter........ ;)
-
Actually, I'm kinda of amazed some dealer hasn't marketed an "official cover prop" for some ridicoulus price ;)
-
"When tennis balls just won't do, try the new and improved HotSunMasMarJacArt Super Duper Cover Propper......guaranteed to beat the hottest sun in your planetary system. And for that extra cool, order yours with optional ice bag inserts........aaaahhhhhh! Just send 4 installments of $29.95 each to Drewstar Industries, makers of the best cover props this side of Jupiter....."
8)
-
"When tennis balls just won't do, try the new and improved HotSunMasMarJacArt Super Duper Cover Propper......guaranteed to beat the hottest sun in your planetary system. And for that extra cool, order yours with optional ice bag inserts........aaaahhhhhh! Just send 4 installments of $29.95 each to Drewstar Industries, makers of the best cover props this side of Jupiter....."
8)
;D ;D ;D
order today and get a free set of steakknives.
-
How about indoor hot tub owners?
In the summer, we like the water temp 96-97 degrees. I keep the heater turned off totally, but the tub can still go 99-100 degrees with the cover on, and the circ pump running.
Last summer (my first with the tub), I would pull off the cover 2-3 hours before using it, which would cool it down enough.
But it would be nice if tubbing could be more spontaneous. Propping the tub open all the time would require the vent fan to run continuously, not what I want.
I had a buddy who used to freeze water in old milk jugs, to use as ice in his coolers for fishing.
Has anyone tried cooling their tub down real quick with something like this, or maybe some of those sealed re-freezable cooler packs?
As an ex-reefer tech, if I knew how many BTUs the circ pump puts into the water, I could rig some sort of small refrigerated water cooling system. Probably won't take much, something like what's used in water fountains. I could tie it into the circ piping, but that would most certainly void the warranty :-[
-
johnvb,
I've tried the frozen water milk jug trick and it just didn't work quickly nor did it make a significant difference in my tub. Propping the cover make a much bigger difference. I suggest you do try both and draw your own conclusions. Let us know how it works for you.
-
Maybe what I will do is just get the wifey to pick up a bag of ice each day, along with that 6-pack from the 7-11, on her way home from work ;D