The European market has gone into freefall as a result of the widespread cost-of-living crisis compounded by directives to switch off energy supplies to hot tubs and to turn down temperatures on home and public swimming pools. Germany have issued energy-saving restrictions which will put a huge dent in the German market. Norway and Poland are following suit with others set to follow.
Leading UK suppliers, Superior Wellness, say that although there are no official restrictions on home spa use, just over half of UK hot tub owners now rarely or never use their hot tubs. Many of the hot tub customers, who bought in lockdown, are now rarely using them, say Superior, as households are squeezed by rising living costs.
“It is a particularly challenging time for anyone involved in selling a hot tub whether you are a retailer, distributor or manufacturer,” says Graham Message, Superior’s Business Development Manager. “As an industry, we need to ensure we present the correct facts about the running of a hot tub to enable customers to make informed decisions.”
The team at Superior Wellness have been focusing on hot tub energy efficiency and supporting customers by providing helpful tips and solutions on how you can make hot tub more energy efficient. The checklist includes:
• Turn the temperature down by 1 or 2degrees
• Check the condition of your hot tub cover
• Insulate your hot tub cabinet
• Clean your hot tub filters
• Turn your air valve off
• Check your filter cycle
• Heat at night
• Upgrade your hot tub
Last, but by no means least Superior are urging retailers to bang the air source heat pump gong. A controlled test has been undertaken in the Superior Wellness showroom over a 72-hour test period, with a one-hour filter cycle. The water temperature was 39 degrees centigrade and the average outside air temperature was 16 degrees centigrade.
Energy use was 3.36kWh per hour with an air source heat pump and 79 pence per day compared with 6.96kWh and £1.63 per day without an air source heat pump. More than halving the running costs. Graham says: “The one saviour at the moment seems to be air source heat pumps. They are proving really popular with current hot tub owners who have claimed to have saved on energy usage and costs.
“Make sure you have some in stock and ensure you are focusing on this on your social media channels and on your website,” continues Graham and he urges: “Let’s pull together as an industry and fight back with our support and facts on energy efficiency for hot tub owners and of course our prospective customers.”
