Many spa owners wonder how to minimise the impact of their spa pool on their water footprint and get the most out of the water they use. Water is our most valuable resource, and everything we can do to reduce our usage helps reduce our water bill and is fantastic for the environment.
The best thing you can do to reduce your spa pool’s water usage is to invest in a water-efficient spa pool. A small 700 litre traditional spa pool dumping water four times a year uses over twice as much water as a larger 1100L FreshWater™ Salt System spa pool being emptied once a year (when properly maintained*).
The FreshWater™ Salt System is the gold standard for water conservation in spa pools. Traditional spas need new spa water at least 4 times a year. A FreshWater™ Salt System spa only needs to have its water replaced once a year and uses fewer chemicals than traditional spas.
Hot Spring wanted to capture the natural experience of our namesake with the FreshWater™ Salt System. 24/7 filtration, no added packaged chemicals and much lower water usage all lead to a less wasteful experience. A FreshWater™ salt spa is always ready for you to jump right in and relax. The result is a natural soak that you can feel good about.
Not only does the FreshWater™ Salt System conserve our precious water, the innovative technology allows the spa pool to clean itself with a chemical concentration about the same as drinking water. The lower chemical content also means that when you do dump the water out, it returns to the water table largely unchanged.
How much water is used in traditional spa pools?
Most spa pools in the NZ marketplace are sanitised with harsh bottled chemicals, requiring the water to be emptied out once every three months. This means that in a 5-6 seater 1100L spa pool, you empty out 4400L a year! If your whole family uses the spa pool regularly, you might find you need to change the water more often.
Changing water frequently can increase the cost of maintenance, the cost of your water and the cost of electrical bills, this keeps you from getting back to what a spa pool should be about - relaxing. This is why it’s so important to invest in a spa pool with a high quality water filtration system. While a small hot tub with a traditional filtration system might have less water capacity, you will have to empty it out four times as often as other spa pools in the market. A reduction in upfront costs often lead to additional costs incurred further down the line so research and due diligence is always vital when considering which spa pool to purchase.
The value of a high quality water filtration system
Spa pools hold a lot of water and eventually that water has to be changed. A high quality water filtration system will allow you to get the most out of your water and is the best way to minimise your water footprint. Our FreshWater™ Salt System spa keeps water clean by generating chlorine from salt over time. At the four month mark, where a traditional spa pool would need its water replaced, you simply switch the disposable cartridge. Voila - you’ve halved your water usage compared to traditional spa pools.
If you’re looking for a FreshWater™ Salt System spa, they are available as options in the Hot Spring Limelight® Collection and Hot Spring Highlife® Collection.
What can I do to save water?
Let’s say you’ve had your spa pool for a while and you’re wondering what you can do to reduce your water usage. Maybe you already have a FreshWater™ Salt System spa and you want to know if there’s anything more you can do to lower your water footprint. There are a few tips that spa owners should practise to get the most out of their spa water.
This is especially important if drought restrictions are in place. When it’s really hot you might want to get into the spa without the heat on, but you need to get the most out of the water you use. With a FreshWater™ Salt System you can fill the spa in the wet season and the water will still be clean when the weather is hot and dry.
Proper maintenance
- Clean spa pool filters regularly. On average, common spa filters have a life span of 1-2 years, depending on use and care. There are superior filters that give you better, longer-lasting performance such as the Tri-X filters exclusive to the Hot Spring Highlife® Collection. These have several unique advantages to filter your spa water.
- Invest in a quality spa pool cover so when your spa pool is not in use, the cover can prevent water loss due to evaporation. A cover in place also prevents contamination from fallen leaves, dust, birds and insects. If the cover on your spa pool is damaged, a significant amount of water can be lost because of condensation and evaporation.
- Conduct regular spa pool checks. The best hot tubs are reliable and durable. Spa shells and cabinets should not crack or warp under normal use. Your best defense against a leak is to keep an eye on the water level. As well, look at the area around the base of the cabinet for water every time you use your spa pool.
Be smart with the jets
The water jets are hands-down one of the best parts of the spa pool experience. They circulate the heat, massage your body and generally make for a more pleasant soak. However, modern spa pool jets are very strong and while this improves the massaging experience, you have to be careful where you aim them. If the nozzles aren’t aimed below the waterline, small amounts of water will splash out constantly. Over time, this can lead to water loss.
Recycle your spa water
Let’s say you’re coming close to the time when you do need to replace your water. It seems a shame to empty all of that water and not use it for something. You can recycle the water you use in your hot tub as grey water. If you’d like to use your leftover hot tub water to reduce your water footprint, leave the spa pool uncovered for three days without adding any chemicals.
Because of its low chemical content, The FreshWater™ Salt System is very well-suited to recycling. The level of chemicals in a FreshWater™ Salt System spa pool is equivalent to the level of chemicals in drinking water. While you still shouldn’t drink it, the water can be very useful for washing your car, deck, or house. You can even use the water on the garden, as long as you’re not watering edible plants.
What really matters
How much water your spa pool uses largely depends on the quality of your water filtration system. Spas with a low-quality water filtration system and high use will need the water replaced up to four times a year. A high-quality water filtration system like the FreshWater™ Salt System can save thousands of litres of water every year when compared to traditional sanitisation systems. Investing in this sort of system gives you all the luxury of a spa pool with 4x less water waste than traditionally filtrated spas.
If you’re looking for more tips on how to conserve water without compromising the experience of your spa pool, they can be found here.
Many factors affect the life of spa pool water e.g. bather load and water chemistry. When these factors are accounted for and the spa is properly maintained, the FreshWater™ Salt System will keep water clean and clear for a full year.
Contact our team for a chat or or visit a local dealer and we look forward to getting you on your way to a lifetime of relaxing bliss.
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