As a swim spa owner, you know there’s nothing better than stepping into that refreshing water after a long, hot day. Your swim spa is a backyard oasis, providing exercise, relaxation, and quality family time.
But when temperatures start hitting record highs, you might notice that the water is warmer than your set temperature. Known as thermal creep, this issue can make your afternoon swims and float sessions less than refreshing.
Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to help your H2X Fitness Swim Spa maintain that perfect cool temperature, no matter how hot it gets outside.
Understanding thermal creep
Swim spas have a wide temperature range, from an invigorating 78 degrees to a soothing 99 degrees. With the press of a button, you can go from the perfect swim temp to a winter soaking temp — making a swim spa the ideal year-round pool-spa combo.
During the summer, you might discover that the water is most refreshing somewhere in the middle, typically between 84 and 88 degrees. The water isn’t frigid, but it’s cooler than the air temperature.
However, on exceptionally hot days, you might have opened your swim spa and discovered that the control panel is reading a different temperature. Thermal creep, also called heat creep, occurs when the outside air temperature and direct sunlight cause your swim spa water to heat up.
Outside air temperature
When air temperatures climb into the 90s, or even triple digits, that thermal energy radiates from the surrounding air into your swim spa water through the cabinet panels and insulation. The hotter the outside air, the more heat that can potentially transfer into the water, leading to elevated water temperatures inside the spa.
While all H2X Fitness Swim Spas by Master Spas are designed with premium full foam insulation to meet stringent energy efficiency standards, this high-quality insulation plays a dual role. In winter, it excels at retaining heat to maximize energy savings. However, during the summer months, that insulation can trap excess heat inside the spa cabinet and allow heat to transfer into the water.
Direct sunlight
Imagine what happens when you use a magnifying glass to focus the sun’s rays onto a single point — it gets super hot, right? Well, direct sunlight hitting your swim spa can create a very similar concentrated heating effect.
Here’s how it works: The cover material absorbs the sun’s rays, transferring that thermal energy into the cabinet. The heat can’t escape and the water gets hotter than you want.
Heat from the equipment compartment
Swim spa equipment systems, such as pumps and heaters, also generate radiant heat as they operate. During extreme heat waves, this internal heat has nowhere to escape and can contribute to heat creep issues.
Hot weather hacks for swim spa owners
Is the summer heat leaving your swim spa feeling more like a hot tub? Don’t sweat it! With a few simple tips and tricks, you can outsmart heat creep and keep your backyard oasis cool and refreshing all season long.
Vent the cover
One of the most effective anti-heat creep moves? Vent your insulating spa cover. Simply place a folded towel or pool noodle under all four corners when you lock the cover down. This allows heat and humidity to gently vent instead of getting trapped while still keeping the cover on.
Open up the cover
When the temps really climb, you can open the cover in the evening to cool the water as needed. However, you don’t want to leave the cover open overnight. Not only could natural elements, such as pollen, leaves, and twigs, affect your water quality, but the water could be inviting to unsupervised guests.
Adjust filter cycles
While regular filtration is essential for keeping your swim spa water clean and swimmable, you can make strategic adjustments to your filter cycles to help minimize the thermal effects. For example, instead of running two five-hour filtration cycles per day, consider splitting that into shorter three-hour cycles. This reduces the duration that the heat-generating equipment is running at one time.
Changing the filter times to operate during cooler periods of the day, like early morning or evening hours, can further prevent that excess heat from compounding throughout peak temperature times.
Work some landscape magic
Surround your swim spa with nature’s cooling tools: shade trees, hedges, vertical trellises with vining plants, and large potted plants arranged as green shade barriers. The foliage will keep things cool while blending nicely with your overall outdoor vibe.
Stay shady with sails and umbrellas
Another effective way to limit heat creep is to invest in strategically placed shade solutions, such as sail shades and offset umbrellas.
Sail shades and offset umbrellas allow you to take advantage of your swim spa without worrying about the sun’s intense rays turning it into a hot tub. By deflecting radiant heat before it penetrates the cover, you’ll keep lid temperatures down and prevent that heat from transferring into the water below.
Oversized triangular or rectangular canopies made from durable, UV-resistant shade fabric, sail shades can be mounted overhead using tall posts or secured to the side of your home’s exterior. The fabric “sails” remain taut while providing breezy, filtered shade.
You can also use an offset cantilever umbrella to protect your swim spa and offer shade. Cantilever umbrellas offer 360-degree rotation and adjustable tilting, so you can follow the arc of the sun throughout the day and maintain protective coverage over the water.
The benefits of installing a heat pump
Managing the temperature of your swim spa does not have to be a seasonal challenge, even amid extreme temperatures.
Heat pumps allow you to keep your water at an ideal temperature year-round, regardless of the temperature or whether the cover is on. Designed to transfer heat rather than generate it, these pumps have the ability to efficiently and effectively heat and cool the water.
Cooling capabilities
Heat pumps offer a unique advantage by being able to cool the water. This feature is particularly valuable for swim spa owners who want to maintain a cool and refreshing environment for exercise and relaxation during the summer months. By efficiently lowering the water temperature, heat pumps help you avoid the discomfort of overly warm water, allowing you to enjoy your swim spa throughout the summer.
Consistent temperature control
Maintaining a consistent water temperature is crucial for comfort and the overall experience of using your hot tub or swim spa. Heat pumps excel in this area by providing precise temperature control. You can set your desired temperature, and the heat pump will efficiently maintain it, regardless of the outdoor conditions. This consistent temperature control is especially beneficial in areas with variable weather, ensuring your swim spa is always ready for use.
Energy savings
One of the most compelling reasons to invest in a heat pump is the potential for energy savings. Heat pumps use less electricity compared to traditional heating methods, as they are merely transferring heat rather than generating it. The energy savings can be up to 75 percent, depending on the external conditions. This energy savings will translate to lower energy bills, making it a cost-effective solution for maintaining your swim spa. Over time, the savings on your energy bills can offset the initial investment in a heat pump.
Easy integration and installation
H2X swim spas are now designed to accommodate the installation of heat pumps. This means that adding a heat pump to your existing setup is straightforward and hassle-free. Master Spas dealers can assist with the installation process, ensuring that your heat pump is integrated correctly and operating efficiently.
Whether you are upgrading a swim spa or purchasing a new one, the option to include a heat pump is readily available.
Invest in a year-round pool spa
Do you want to be able to swim, exercise, and relax at home? Having an H2X Fitness Swim Spa by Master Spas allows you to swim on your schedule while adding a fun factor to your backyard. You can click here to find out more about the benefits of hydrotherapy and relaxing in a swim spa. Or, contact your local Master Spas retailer to learn more about swim spa ownership. Wondering how much a swim spa costs? You can request a quote here.