Choosing the Right Hot Tub Cover for Your Hot Tub

You may have spent quite a bit of money when you first purchased your hot tub. The truth is your tub is an expensive investment. You also spend quite a few dollars each month for the water and energy your jacuzzi uses. But this is all worthwhile when you sink into the warm waters and enjoy the jets in your hot tub.

Hot tubs allow you to relax your mind and your muscles and even entertain guests. Everybody loves a backyard with a spa. A good solid hot tub cover will keep your hot tub ready for you when you want to use it, will keep it virtually maintenance free, and will save you money on repair costs.

The absolute last thing you want to see when you open your hot tub is leaves, dirt, and other debris floating in the water. This kind of debris can not only render your hot tub unusable, but can also clog your pump and damage the inner-workings of your tub. Add maintenance or repair costs to the above list of what you spend on your hot tub and you get a considerable amount of money.

The following points are detailed reasons why you want to purchase high quality hot tub covers.

1) You want a strong cover that will shelter your hot tub from the elements. If rain mixes with the water in your hot tub, bacteria can thrive. You do not want to get sick after using your hot tub.

2) High quality hot tub covers insulate your tub better, which means you will save a lot more money on heating costs because less heat will escape your spa when you aren't using it. For hot tub owners who live in colder areas where it snows, you can still keep your jacuzzi as hot as you like it, but it will cost you less because there will be less leakage. Don't overpay for your heating costs.

3) Hot tub covers are very important for safety reasons. They keep children and animals out of your jacuzzi while you are away or when you don't want anyone to have access to your tub.

R-Value

Hot tub covers are measured by a metric called the R-Value, which stands for heat retaining value. This has to do with how well a given cover insulates heat. The higher the number, the better the hot tub cover. Obviously, as this number increases, quality as well as cost do as well.

The average R-Value is somewhere between 12-15, but there are also other covers that manufacturers claim are in the 20's. The difference at this level is probably not that distinguishable. Look at it as you would sunblock: you want a high enough SPF to block out the sun, so 35 should do. Do you really need 80?

Some of the most popular styles of hot tub cover on the market are the following:

Insulated hot tub covers. This type of premium cover is made with Expanded Polystyrene, which retains heat better than regular foam-core covers. The outer skin is typically plastic and resistant to molding, which keeps the aesthetic look of the tub cover.

Aluminum Covers. This type of cover is the strongest on the market. For those who are worried about dogs, children, or even debris and dirt getting into their hot tub, this is a very good option. In terms of strength, aluminum covers are some of the best.

Rolling Covers. This type of hot tub cover is easy to take off and put back on because they "roll." This kind of cover is typically high quality and are often custom made.

Where to Buy Hot Tub Covers

Hot tub covers come in all shapes and sizes, so you will definitely be able to find the right one that works for you--you can generally find a replacement cover at the store where you purchased your tub, or you may be able to find a better deal online or direct from the manufacturer.

Always research prices on the cover you may be buying, as you can often find discount hot tub covers online. There are many stores that sell covers, so shop around and know what you want to spend.

You can find discount hot tub covers at eBay, Buy.com, and even Amazon. It really depends on the manufacturer and your style of tub. Another good resource is your local city's Craigslist page. Often, you can find a steal of a deal at this website, but it can be very hit and miss.

It is not always a bad thing to buy a used hot tub cover, but just make sure there has been no water seepage into the central core of the tub, which basically means the end of the life of the cover. If the cover is sagging or discolored, it may be a good thing to stay away from that purchase.

With your hot tub cover purchase, always keep in mind that the better the hot tub cover you buy, the better it will protect your hot tub. And that's the most important thing.