If your spa will be installed outdoors, your choice of cover will be extremely important.

If your spa will be installed outdoors, your choice of cover will be extremely important.

It does not seem as exhilarating to think about which cover you will choose, especially when compared to choosing the spa itself, deciding on its design, model, pumps, jets and all the other exciting accessories. However, the cover will determine whether your electricity bill will skyrocket or remain reasonable over the years you use your spa. In time, you may regret not having chosen the best possible cover to ensure you save on energy costs.

A spa or hot tub looses heat mainly through the top and so it is necessary to evaluate covers to ensure they will be able to retain this heat and save energy. You will need to check:

• its thickness, and the density of the foam, as this will determine its capacity to retain heat. This thickness is also a measure of durability – for instance, the thicker the cover, the more it will be resistant to the weight of snow. Certain models are even strengthened by an internal metallic armature;the cover’s external surface. Often made of vinyl, it should be treated with UV protection to make it last longer against the long-term effects of the sun;
• the inside surface of the cover. It should be made by a reflective material, with anti-mould, that will return the heat downward;
• its capacity for insulation. This is important – the greater the insulation capacity, the more heat will be retained. A very insulated cover will even protect the water against temperature drops. It is also important to ensure that the cover does not touch the water because this could cause it to lose all its insulating capacities;
• its ability to keep debris out and small children from falling in. Retaining heat is not the only function of the cover - it must also protect your spa against the debris that can fall from trees, etc. In addition, some covers are equipped with a padlock to limit access into the spa. It is very secure against young children in your home or in the surroundings.

Because covers that offer a greater insulating capacity can be heavier, a number of manufacturers offer assistive systems called « lifters ». These systems also offer the advantage of maintaining the cover in position once opened. It can thus be used as a screen, for example, against the wind.