General > Beating a dead horse
full foam vs thermopannels
Spatech_tuo:
--- Quote ---We are looking at a Sunrise that has neither Thermal Pane or Full Foam. It has Roxul insulatiion. It is a multi-layered instulation. Supposed to be much easier to work on if problems arise plus be great at insulating. It seems to me that full foam can be a major headache to repair...somtimes even having to send the hot tub out??? Is this true?? I know most have a 5 year warranty but lets's face it, you will probably have your hot tub a lot longer than that....so then what? I'm a newbie trying to figure it all out. Any truth to any of this stuff?
crystal777
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I've never heard of Sunrise Spas but from their site I can see that they are a thermal pane spa even though they say otherwise for some reason. Also, most leaks down the road are in the equipment compartment (at the pumps, heater, etc.) so I wouldn't worry about the salesmanship you're being fed about imminent leaks and foam digs (and sending out a tub for leak repair is very rare so they're reaching). Leaks occur from poor quality so you're better off worrying about how well your spa is made, whether it insulates well and that you're buying from a manufacturer known for backing their warranty (most all warranties look alike, not all spa makers take care of their customers the same way).
Vinny:
--- Quote ---I used to own an Emerald (a TP tub). One thing I know for an absolute fact is that I will never own a thermopane tub ever again.
Reason why? My own "raw data" in the form of a sky high electric bill. The Emerald more than doubled my electric bill.
Keep in mind that I live in Michigan. My wife and I were the only ones who used it so the cover was on most of the time.
I bought the tub new and ordered it with as much insulation as I could plus Reflectix. When the electric bills started rolling in I went to Home Depot and bought a box of Husky garbage bags and faceless fiberglass insulation. I filled the bags with the insulation and lined the interior with them. Royal Spas uses this same method except theirs hangs neatly inside.
I prayed to the hot tub gods for lower electric bills but they ignored my pleas. The DIY insulation did nothing for my energy costs. I sold that Emerald and we don't miss it one bit.
Now the only hot tub I will buy is a full foam. I will be looking for one with a good base. I won't settle for one that is "sealed" with just a poly sheet. I think that is just a way for a manufacturer to cheap out.
I can see a Jacuzzi 345 in my future but no Colemans or Arctic or Royal or Spa Crest. No thermopane ever again.
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I guess I should be thankful I bought an Artesian vs the Emerald I was looking at!
Hillbilly Hot Tub:
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I wouldn't own a thermopane because IMO they just don't work as well as FF at avoiding heat transfer even if they promise their method works great and explain the theory. I do agree that Arctic is a different story because they don't follow the standard thermopane method and I can see why they don't like to get lumped in with the standard foil barrier methods.
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Clearwater does their spas like Artic. It works great if done right.
Spatech_tuo:
--- Quote ---Clearwater does their spas like Artic. It works great if done right.
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I didn’t know Clearwater sprays a foam barrier along the bottom and along the insides of the cabinet walls like Arctic does? I assumed they used the standard thermo pane design of applying foil backed bubble wrap or foil backed foam to the cabinet walls.
Tom:
--- Quote ---Clearwater does their spas like Artic. It works great if done right.
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I believe that there are now several brands using this method. There are also quite a few brands 'borrowing' our trademarks; this helps keep our lawyers employed.
Still, imitation is the sincerest form of compliment.
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