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Edited December 3, 2022
at 06:59 PM
by
Walmart has a number of their inflatable hot tubs on sale. This appears to be the largest model. 5-7 person (probably 4 normal fat Americans like myself) 314 gallon capacity. 85" diameter, 28" deep. The smaller ones are 177 gallons (71" x 26") by comparison.
If you have the space, this model seems pretty awesome for this price.
Double the price, double the volume, double the people. Your call.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Colema...hbdg=L1100
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Hence, you leave them running all the time.
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As for the heat expenditure, now that's debatable and it depends on how much time heater stays on vs. off in the "on 24/7" scenario. Since specific heat of weater is essentially independent of temperature, there is no difference between, say, heating the same amount of water for 20 degrees (say from 84 to 104) in one go or heating it up 2 degrees (say from 102 to 104) 10 times.
So it sounds like g10ny is looking for a tub you can have running at ~98F and then turn on remotely 4hours in advance at work or w/e, and then come back to it about ~102-104F or w/e. This one doesn't do that....and the energy savings would be fairly low.
I'm unsure how well the pump / filter / chemical dispenser (connected to the outlet of the pump) would do if you turn off all that for long periods of time. May need to add a floating bromine dispenser to keep your chemicals to correct levels.
Now, if you wanted to bring this way lower (i.e. 50F) for a couple days, and then only use it for weekends.....that'd be a massive energy savings (i.e. M/T/W/Th cold, Fr/Sat/Sun hot) in the order of probably 50ish%
Edit - Also, obviously, insulation values are VERY important. Highly recommend adding as much R value within reason you can to top/bottom. The sides is hard, since it's curved. I personally have the smaller version of this in the basement with R15 on the bottom. If I were in canada/freezing, and it was outdoors....I would probably make a whole rigid foam board box for this thing with seals, painted. It would look like shit though lol.
Edit2 - Pretty sure the whole "takes more energy to get up to temperature in one go vs maintain that temperature" is a myth. prove me wrong lol.
So it sounds like g10ny is looking for a tub you can have running at ~98F and then turn on remotely 4hours in advance at work or w/e, and then come back to it about ~102-104F or w/e. This one doesn't do that....and the energy savings would be fairly low.
I'm unsure how well the pump / filter / chemical dispenser (connected to the outlet of the pump) would do if you turn off all that for long periods of time. May need to add a floating bromine dispenser to keep your chemicals to correct levels.
Now, if you wanted to bring this way lower (i.e. 50F) for a couple days, and then only use it for weekends.....that'd be a massive energy savings (i.e. M/T/W/Th cold, Fr/Sat/Sun hot) in the order of probably 50ish%
Edit - Also, obviously, insulation values are VERY important. Highly recommend adding as much R value within reason you can to top/bottom. The sides is hard, since it's curved. I personally have the smaller version of this in the basement with R15 on the bottom. If I were in canada/freezing, and it was outdoors....I would probably make a whole rigid foam board box for this thing with seals, painted. It would look like shit though lol.
Edit2 - Pretty sure the whole "takes more energy to get up to temperature in one go vs maintain that temperature" is a myth. prove me wrong lol.
Second issue to be aware of, the heat pumps are pretty weak, so running this with jets in the winter will drop the water temp several degrees per hour. Again, fine for occasional parties, but kind of kills it for personal use otherwise.
Second issue to be aware of, the heat pumps are pretty weak, so running this with jets in the winter will drop the water temp several degrees per hour. Again, fine for occasional parties, but kind of kills it for personal use otherwise.
100% on the other stuff though. It's noted (not 100% sure on this...) if you smell a lot of the bromine nauseating smell, it might be because it's doing a lot of work (i.e. there are a lot of ..... bodily stuff in the spa). It'll always smell, but if it's really bad might be because too much crap (sometimes literally)
If your outside temp was 40, the difference between 80 & 100 would be about 33% less heat loss (100F-40F = 60F vs 80F - 40F = 40F)
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As far as energy cost, it's not all that bad if you live in a mostly warm climate. Additionally, you can also find ways to use it to save some $$$. For example, if you keep your cover clean, you can use it to dry clothes when the weather is nice outside. I'll put a blanket I just washed across the top and it will dry on both sites in several hours, since the heat from the water will warm up the side not facing the sun.
With maintenance, it's mostly jut adding bleach or bromine to keep the water clean, as well as changing the filter periodically. I've found that if you keep the cover on, the main thing that is going to clog up your filter is dead skin that you exfoliate while soaking. You can just rinse out your filter or put a new one in. Either way it just takes a minute or two.
These things are extremely durable. I top off my air about once every two months, put new water in about every 4 months. Takes me about 45 minutes to fill it back up.
Highly recommend having one of these, especially if you've been though a lot of broken bones and bruises. These will help you recover and keep you going awhile longer.
So it sounds like g10ny is looking for a tub you can have running at ~98F and then turn on remotely 4hours in advance at work or w/e, and then come back to it about ~102-104F or w/e. This one doesn't do that....and the energy savings would be fairly low.
I'm unsure how well the pump / filter / chemical dispenser (connected to the outlet of the pump) would do if you turn off all that for long periods of time. May need to add a floating bromine dispenser to keep your chemicals to correct levels.
Now, if you wanted to bring this way lower (i.e. 50F) for a couple days, and then only use it for weekends.....that'd be a massive energy savings (i.e. M/T/W/Th cold, Fr/Sat/Sun hot) in the order of probably 50ish%
Edit - Also, obviously, insulation values are VERY important. Highly recommend adding as much R value within reason you can to top/bottom. The sides is hard, since it's curved. I personally have the smaller version of this in the basement with R15 on the bottom. If I were in canada/freezing, and it was outdoors....I would probably make a whole rigid foam board box for this thing with seals, painted. It would look like shit though lol.
Edit2 - Pretty sure the whole "takes more energy to get up to temperature in one go vs maintain that temperature" is a myth. prove me wrong lol.
Bio-chemical aspect: isn't nasty stuff developing faster at high temperatures? That would recommend NOT keeping it at high temps, but running it less frequently. I do add bleach tablets when turning it on for a few hours before use or/and after a heavier than usual session. Still challenging, to be honest.
Bio-chemical aspect: isn't nasty stuff developing faster at high temperatures? That would recommend NOT keeping it at high temps, but running it less frequently. I do add bleach tablets when turning it on for a few hours before use or/and after a heavier than usual session. Still challenging, to be honest.
If anything is growing, yes, very warm water is bad. But you're relying on a properly balanced pool (chlorine or bromine), proper PH, and shock to kill everything / keep it from growing. Keeping a pool at like 40-50F isn't going to keep it from growing stuff I don't think. Also, if you calculate the above....you'll realize the 300ish gallons is going to take MANY hours to heat up to enjoyable 100F+.
tl;dr, unless you only use it 1 day a week, or weekends.....you'll want this thing high temp. And at all times you need proper chemicals....unless you just have unlimited water (and hot water too! If you have to heat new water a lot, that's a lot of energy) to constantly dump and treat it like a bathtub lol.
Giving me some motivation to buy now. Lol
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I have one and love it. Super easy to use, easy to properly balance chemicals, and stores great! WiFi control works well. I would recommend, but not at this price.