Thinking Out Loud

[NJDave]

Actually Owens Pink Insulation on the floor of the Hot Tub, is exactly the way Hydro Spas insulated the floor of their tubs,up to about 2 years ago. And most of their spas were equipped with air blowers. Does it make it right. No. Whenever, the pump shaft seals or heater leaked, the Pink Owens Corning became wet and nasty, as it would never quite dry up or regain its pink fluffy look. I will never forget, being in a New Jersey Showroom and telling my friend the Hydro Dealer, that I could see the Pink Panther Cartoon Figure, right through the spa shell. He moved that spa to a darker side of the showroom, to avoid sunlight from bringing out the Panther Dude.

[Snyper]

I started reading this thread, but fell asleep on page 31.

[windsurfdog]

Hi Gang,
Here is a photo using infrared technology, to show heat loss in a home. And yes heat will escape all over the first floor of a house, anywhere that cold air is penetrating. So any piece of styrofoam, that is not tight on a TP Spa, then major heat loss will take place. As service company of every brand, we deal with frozen spas all winter. If a customer e-mails me on a Saturday night and says his spa is dead, will it freeze tonight? I ask what brand of spa they have, if it is a full foam spa, I tell them it can wait til Monday Morning. If it is a TP spa, I am giving them emergency instructions on what to do tonight, to prevent their spa from freezing. remember the big sales pitch with Thermo Pane, is the spa shell and equipment is kept warm, from heat coming off the motors, while the spa is running or cycling. The success of that concept is based on a tub that is running. Most freeze ups occur on spas that are dead or tripping the breaker, due to a short. So, how well will that piece of 3/4" styro foam keep the cold from getting to the pipes vs. a spa that is fully foam filled?

NJ, this agrees with the part of my assertion that full foam spas may be better suited to colder climates.  It would be interesting to hear yours and other's opinions on the other side of my assertion.....that tp may be better suited in warmer climates because pump motors may run cooler.

And ehizzle wrote:

Insulated spas have insulation on the sides while non insulated spas do not.

So, ehizzle, have you decided to change the topic completely by comparing insulated spas and uninsulated spas?  Or are you referring to ff as insulated and tp as uninsulated?  You need to get a grip, dude.

[Snowbird]

Can you imagine what it would be like if you were lounging in 103° water with all of your skin pores open with fiberglass in the water.  I gotta go, I'm starting to itch all over.

Well, I suppose you are right about that.  I have never been sensitive to fiberglass insulation and usually put it in wearing short sleeves and no gloves.  But sitting in a hot tub as you describe might be a whole different story.

If you are still looking for a cheaper insulation, how about buying a 4x8 sheet of 2 inch foam board at Lowes or HD for about $28?  You can easily cut it to size with a utility knife. It would be removable and is relatively water proof.

[East_TX_Spa]

If you are still looking for a cheaper insulation, how about buying a 4x8 sheet of 2 inch foam board at Lowes or HD for about $28?  You can easily cut it to size with a utility knife. It would be removable and is relatively water proof.

What you have just described IS thermal pane insulation.  Add a layer of tinfoil to it and it becomes reflectix or dait or whatever "upgrade" you want it to be.

Terminator

[Snowbird]

If I decide to start manufacturing Snowbird Hot tubs (with vibrating textured jets by the way), I am going to use the best materials and designs I can while still meeting a competitive price level.

So if my research tells me that full foam, thermal pane or multiple layers of used chewing gum is the best insulation, why would I offer an option that provides a lower level of insulation?

My customers would eventually find out that they opted for a lesser insulation and bad mouth my tub because of high electric bills.... especially if they had to pay extra for what I believed was a downgrade.

Sounds funny to me... but then again I ain't smart 'nuff to be a busy-ness man.  However, I can turn some sweet toys on a lathe!

[East_TX_Spa]

why would I offer an option that provides a lower level of insulation?

My customers would eventually find out that they opted for a lesser insulation and bad mouth my tub because of high electric bills.... especially if they had to pay extra for what I believed was a downgrade.

That, my friend, was the WHOLE point of this thread.

Terminator

[Snowbird]

That, my friend, was the WHOLE point of this thread. Terminator

Gee thanks.  It only took me 52 messages to figure it out.  Next time don't be so obuse.

[East_TX_Spa]

Gee thanks.  It only took me 52 messages to figure it out.  Next time don't be so obuse.
 

No, no, no...I'm giving you CREDIT for summarizing it in a nutshell.  You done good!

Terminator

[drewstar]

Insulation works by trapping air to keep it from moving, either by natural convection or drafts.  

Some insulation works that way.  But not all (A vacuum does not.) Some materials conduct heat better than others and it's not a function of trapping air, but rather blocking or slowing  heat transfer from one material to another. Keep in mind, heat can transfer by conduction, radiating,  or convection (or all three).

[Snowbird]

Thank you Mr. Science.  

I guess a vacuum would work, considering how effective a thermos bottle is.  The people in Rio Linda still don't know how it knows to keep hot stuff hot and cold stuff cold, but that's their problem.

So, I guess if you are really cheap you could create your own vacuum under your tub by attaching a hose to the side and inviting Linda Lovelace over for a soak.

I'm just trying to help.

[drewstar]

Thank you Mr. Science.  

I guess a vacuum would work, considering how effective a thermos bottle is.  The people in Rio Linda still don't know how it knows to keep hot stuff hot and cold stuff cold, but that's their problem.

So, I guess if you are really cheap you could create your own vacuum under your tub by attaching a hose to the side and inviting Linda Lovelace over for a soak.

I'm just trying to help.

[salesdvl]

Am I the only one thinking that Linda may be a little "over the hill" by now?  The last thing you need is some wrinkled old lady crawling around with knee pads on looking for her dentures when your wife comes home.

   

[cburk0677]

So if heat loss occurs on all sides of a tub how much does it help to either sink your tub into a deck or build some type of outer covering around the hottub?

Has anyone built a enclosure for the sides of their tub? If you did did you insulate the walls of the enclosure?

How much would this help in lowering heat loss and your electric bill?

Cburk

[East_TX_Spa]

So if heat loss occurs on all sides of a tub how much does it help to either sink your tub into a deck or build some type of outer covering around the hottub?

Has anyone built a enclosure for the sides of their tub? If you did did you insulate the walls of the enclosure?

How much would this help in lowering heat loss and your electric bill?

Cburk

That all depends.  It will help some, maybe to a great extent if you purchase a poorly insulated spa.  If you are still planning to buy a HS, the difference will be negligible as whichever model you end up with is going to cost you less than $25/month, period.

Don't build any enclosure in the interest of saving money on electric, rather, build one for asthetics or protection from long-term exposure to the elements.

Hope this helps.

Terminator