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eco_spas

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About eco_spas

  • Birthday 08/25/1981

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  1. Not long ago I posted a thread about "title 20" in California and the "CalPoly Test" and caught alot of flack from people saying it was an inaccurate testing method due to all the variables. Well the APSP and the Senate feel differant and have adopted 'Title 20" with "S.598" and "APSP.14" while saying "its a good starting point for saving energy" So not only is it now becoming a Federal Regulation they are looking to make spa efficiency regulations even more strict than they currently.
  2. I have heard alot of concerns with the accuracy of this test, but has anyone actually tried the test??
  3. I have a life spa here at my facility that I have been doing test on. And I have to say, IMO the guys at Lifespas are nice and the spas look decent. But thats about as far one could go as to good things you can say. Once you start digging into the quality of equipment and/or construction well... Could you share some of the details of your findings? Thanks Sure. My issues are: insulation,which there is very little; pump & plumming, they use a smaller PVC more 90deg elbows than I like(which in turn causes the pump to work harder to push the water resulting in a shorter life expectancy); cabinet, the framing is put together well yet the quality of wood is not as good I would have hoped, and my cabinet pannels keep falling off(which allows cold air in the cabinet. I havent had many major components fail(have had for one year+), all in all it uses more energy than most other spas I have tested. But that is my opinion, if you wet test it and like then I think that thats what matters most.
  4. I have a life spa here at my facility that I have been doing test on. And I have to say, IMO the guys at Lifespas are nice and the spas look decent. But thats about as far one could go as to good things you can say. Once you start digging into the quality of equipment and/or construction well...
  5. Spam?? I thought we were discusing "points of interest" during the testing of energy usage on spas? And how to test your spa at home.
  6. Therefore, IMO 90%+ of the spas energy usage is happening with the spa idling with the cover on and more like 10% when in use. Therefore, IMO the insulation method IMO is CRUCIAL to the spa's energy efficiency which goes hand in hand with what we see when people buy poorly insulated spas, see sky high bills and end up having to add insulation just to get it to the "ok" level. I agree that 90% of a spas energy usage is a more accurate number. I also believe insulation is crucial to this test. The better insulated your spa is the less effect the elements (such as wind, temp, sun etc.) have on your spa, IMO.
  7. Shaamus I never said a blanket didnt prolong the life of a cover, nor that they didnt offered any benefit. I said "I PERSONALLY dont like them" they breakdown and are very inconveneint and IMO is not a product I like.
  8. If you can see steam coming out from under the cover then it sounds as if you should look in to getting a new cover. the more delapitated your cover is the less insulating properties it has. Is your cover very heavy?
  9. With any "extra insulation" it will improve your efficincy,may it be very little or a substatial amount. I personally dont like a floating blanket, some of the chemicals slowly break the blanket down causing the water to be somewhat cloudy.
  10. This test is just to give you an idea of what your spa is costing you "IN THE CURRENT AMBIENT TEMP", and "WHEN NOT IN USE". Yes, the more you use your spa the more your daily cost will be, thats a given. For you to say that 'insulation has less to do than one might think' Well.. thats ludacris! So im curious "in your test" did you take the cover off and run the pump to simulate a person using the spa?
  11. Your post summed up about a month of research I did since getting a "cheap" spa. I did read some problems of using the thick house batting type insulation. If it gets wet it will loose its insulation value and hold water. Some people put it in bags, but then it also makes nice homes for mice to shred and fill with debris and odors. Some people use non rated insulation like packing peanuts which can be a fire hazard. Whatever you use you don't want it to get sucked into the pumps or blower either. The foam board/reflective insulation seemed like the way to go. I am new to this, but after much research that seemed to be th consensus of what I found across the web for dealing with spas that come with a lower initial cost and also insulation. I just picked up a lower brand spa that only had insulation on the tub. Before installing it I put a R-3 1/2" rigid foambard inside the cabinet of the spa against the frame on all 4 sides, and then a second 1/2 layer of rigid foam cut to fit directly under the outside skin. It took about 2.5 4x8 sheets and I used 2 cans of closed cell foam to seal all of the gaps. Cost about $40. I also put a remote thermometer inside above the pumps. Figure if its heating up too much in the summer it will be easy to remove the front panel and pop the foam boards out of that side. Don't know if it will actually do anything since I just got it and have to get an electrical issue sorted out first. Its great that you put a thermometer in the cabinet to moniter the temp. you will want to pay close attention to the temp of your pumps(the hotter they run the faster they will break down). But your on the right track to saving energy.
  12. This is very effective way to test your power consumption. But you will only know what it is when it is that same temperature outside as the day you tested. As it cools outside your usage will go up and as it warms it will go down. Wind, usage, drain and refill consumption. You are correct on that, there are a number of of variables to consider. But from what i understand from the test is that this test is for "JUST STANDBY" power. Add in using your spa and your kilowatt usage will be more.
  13. HI, So, A friend of mine came across a blog on how to test your "Kilowatt usage" on your spa at home. He told me he tried this "home test" and compared it to his power bill and found it to look accurate, but wasnt 100% positive. Thats when and why he contacted me. I read the blog and tried this "home test" on one of the spas in my facility. Previously to testing I knew what the kilowatt usage was,(I had tested the spa using my equipment), so I could compare the two results side by side. The results of this "home test" compared to the results of "actual kilowatt usage" are very similar. They also mention the test at Cal-Poly conducted for the C.E.C. and compare it to thier "home test". I am very aware of the testing procedures and of the 27 manufacturers that attended that test. But, as for this "home test" being an acurate and easy way to test your spa kilowatt usage from home? I would say, from the comparison of the two results I gathered, Yes it is. so this is the test address: mycp1.wordpress.com I suggest trying the test for yourself and determining if the results compare to your bill.
  14. why not? there are many variables for me to consider when Im recommending something, one of which is the voiding manufactuers warrenty. Show me a warranty that is voided by adding insulation. The issue was would adding insulation help. Your short answer is yes. hottubdan, Short answer. YES "R-19 home insulation " will make a huge differance in heating time and cost.
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