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Make sure all of your air valves are off before closing your cover.
I've been wondering about the seal on my tub all winter so far. I too notice a bit of venting around the flap area though this typically is only noticeable immediately after using the spa (pumps running).My electric increase post-spa ownership is currently about double what I was expecting. I'm not yet convinced the cover isn't contributing to this unexpectedly high consumption of energy...
Quote from: Beck0101 on January 23, 2017, 04:12:24 pmI've been wondering about the seal on my tub all winter so far. I too notice a bit of venting around the flap area though this typically is only noticeable immediately after using the spa (pumps running).My electric increase post-spa ownership is currently about double what I was expecting. I'm not yet convinced the cover isn't contributing to this unexpectedly high consumption of energy...Not sure where you live and what you were estimating but here in MA our electric rates are double what the hot tub companies use for estimates. while they get the per kwh rate usually correct at around 10 cents, it ignores the "deliver fee" that we are charged from the utility which is about 10 cents per kwh also. so we pay about 20 cents on average.
I have seen other brand spas loose heat the exact way you are describing. Turning air valves off will do nothing if you spa is running a circulation pump because the jet pumps are usually not kicking on for circulation. There are a few models that will kick the larger pumps on for a short period twice a day but in my opinion doesn't make a difference. The spa i saw losing heat was running a circulation pump 24/7 and the jet pumps only come on when you turn them on. I am in New England and the best thing to do is get a thermal blanket for you spa. To clarify not the cheap plastic bubble sheet plastic you put on a pool the thicker insulated version. The second it was put in the steam would no longer be coming out of the cover. I am taking night/day difference. Cut to size and use in the winter. I hang mine on my cover lifter while I am in the spa. It does make a difference, trust me.
Tossing this out as more of a question: Wouldn't it also work, and possibly be more advantageous, to add a hot tub cover cover to both help with heat loss and to protect the main cover from the elements? I have zero experience with them but I also don't often need a solar cover either, due to my location. This is more of a question based in curiosity than as a counterpoint. I'll hang up and listen.