How Do You Keep a Hot Tub Cool in the Summer? What Pros Say

Hot tubs are great in the winter when it is cold outside. They are also a superb place to soak your worries away in the warmer months, but how do you keep a hot tub cool in the summer? The last thing you want to do is sit in a hot hot tub during summer when the weather is really hot.

How do you keep a hot tub cool in summer?

Hot tubs are very well suited to keep the water cool in the summer. The most important points are to keep the cover closed as much as possible and shield the hot tub from the sun. There are several ways to lower the water temperature, ranging from as easy as changing the temperature setting to installing a chiller.

The best solution to keep a hot tub cool in the summer depends on several factors, like your location, average temperature, and usage. There's a lot more to know. In this blog, I will explain several methods to keep and cool the water.

How to Keep a Hot Tub Cool in the Summer

Hot tubs are perfect machines to keep the water warm but are as good to keep water cold. The insulation takes care that the outside heat is not warming the water further. To keep the hot tub cool during the summer is not that different compared to keeping the water warm during the winter. The insulation from the hot tub takes care that the water does not heat up further.

The most important thing you need to do is to ensure that you keep the cover closed correctly. Only open it when you want to use the hot tub. Do not leave the cover open when you are finished using the hot tub. The second thing I recommend is to shield the hot tub from the sun as much as possible. This can be done by using a temporary solution like a big umbrella or a more permanent solution.

Lowering the temperature of a hot tub can range from super easy or more difficult. This depends on your location, average ambient temperature, and desired hot tub water temperature. The easiest way is, of course, changing the temperature setting from the hot tub. As long as it is not super hot outside, this will often be enough. Particular after replacing the water.

For more details and other solutions, check the following paragraph on how to lower the temperature on your hot tub.

How do I lower the temperature on my hot tub?

There are several methods to lower the temperature of your hot tub. Some are obvious and easy. Some are more difficult. But in all cases, ensure that you keep the hot tub covered when the water is cool.

– Lower the temperature setting of the hot tub

The most obvious and most straightforward thing to do is to change the temperature setting of your hot tub. When the setting you prefer is lower than the average outside temperature, this will work fine. But if you live in a super-hot environment, this might not really help. When the average ambient temperature is close to the desired water temperature, the cooling can take a while.

Another way to lower the temperature of your hot tub is by placing it in economy or sleep mode. Most hot tubs come with economy or sleep modes, and these modes are designed to save energy. It also helps in lowering the temperature of a hot tub by a greater amount, unlike when you use the standard mode.

– Use The Cooler Night To Cool The Hot Tub

If the nights are colder and drop beneath the desired water temperature, you can opt to keep the cover open during the night. In this case, you can use colder nights to cool the water. But ensure that you cover the hot tub with something to protect it from animals or debris falling into the water or animals using it for drinking.

– Move the hot tub to a different location to lower the water temperature

You can either move your hot tub to a shaded place or use a large umbrella to create your own shade. This is an effective method to try, and it'd help lower the temperature of your hot tub.

– Use the Hot Tub Jets to Cool the Water Temperature

Using the hot tub jets will help to cool the water temperature. Warm water tends to rise to the surface, cooler water to the bottom. By using the jets and circulating the water, you mix the warm and cooler water. This results in a more evenly water temperature that will feel cooler.

I recommend starting the jets 10 min before you plan to use the hot tub. Note that using the jets does not actually cool the water. It will only mix the warm and cooler parts.

– Use cold objects to cool the hot tub water temperature

Another option to try is to use cold objects to cool the water. The effect is not as big as you might think, as a hot tub contains a lot of water. The smaller the hot tub, the easier it is. You can use cooling pads or freeze water in some containers and place it in your hot tub before going in. This will help you drop the temperature fast. However, this is only temporary, and you'll need to do it every time you want to use the hot tub.

– Refill the hot tub to lower the water temperature

Tab water commonly has a lower temperature. Partly or entirely replacing the water in your hot tub can be an easy way to lower the water temperature.

– Burying the hot tub to keep the water temperature lower

Another way to keep the water in the hot tub cooler is to bury the hot tub in the ground. The ground has a lower temperature, and this can be used to keep the hot tub cold during the hot season. Similarly, it can keep the hot tub warmer during the cold season. Of course, burying the hot tub is not something you can do in an hour. It is something you need to plan and ensure that your hot tub is suitable for this.

– Use A Chiller To Cool The Hot Tub

If the previous methods don't get you to the temperature you want, you could use a chiller to cool the water. Chillers are readily available, and you can find them online or in local stores. With a chiller, you can get to any low temperature, which is why it is perfect for hotter months, and when the temperature is unbearable. With a chiller, you can go quickly bring your hot tub to any low temperature.

Even though the chiller will easily help you cool your hot tub in summer, it is important to note that it uses a lot of electricity. Similar to an air conditioner. If you're on a budget, getting a chiller may not be the best option for you.

What Temperature Should a Hot Tub Be Set at In the Summer?

The ideal temperature to set your hot tub in the summer depends on your region. The hotter it is, the cooler people like the hot tub water to be. Most users prefer leaving their hot tub between 35 to 40 degrees in summer. However, it also depends on your personal preferences. The aim is to enjoy the hydrotherapeutic benefits and remain comfortable in your hot tub.

Is 90 degrees Fahrenheit warm enough for a hot tub?

Hot tubs usually have their maximum temperature at 104 degrees Fahrenheit and minimum temperature between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The perfect temperature for most hot tub users is around 100 to 102 degrees F. Depending on the surrounding conditions and your personal preference, 90 degrees may be warm enough for a hot tub, but my experience is that most people prefer it warmer.

Is 40 degrees Celcius hot enough for a hot tub?

As mentioned earlier, most hot tubs can be set to as low as 26 degrees Celcius, with the maximum being around 40 degrees Celcius. The last is for safety reasons. The only time you'll want to set your hot tub at 26 degrees is during the summer heat, when you need to cool off. During the colder months, 40 degrees Celcius can be unbearable and too hot for some people. In general, I recommend a temperature between 37 and 40 degrees Celcius. This is fine for most users and will ensure that you enjoy all the benefits of hot water.

How Quickly Does a Hot Tub Cool Down?

To maintain the temperature when a hot tub is on, it only needs to top up for lost heat. Usually, for a 1.5KW heater, about 3 degrees of heat is added every hour. In general, when the hot tub is used, the temperature drops around 1 degree every 30 minutes, and it takes around 20 minutes for the temperature to recover. So the hot tub can keep the temperature stable without much trouble.

Different factors can influence the cooling rate of a hot tub. These factors can either speed up or slow down the cooling rate. The surrounding temperature, location of the hot tub, and temperature of the water in the hot tub are all factors that can determine how fast a hot tub will cool down.

The cooler the ambient, or the higher the water temperature, the faster it will lose the heat. Wind will also improve heat loss. Keeping the hot tub protected from the wind also improves the overall hot tub experience. As most know, an excellent insulated hot tub will also retain the heat or cold better.

Why is a Cold Hot Tub Useful?

Hot tubs are often marketed for use as hot tubs, and people tend to ignore that they can be used as a cold spa as well. Coldwater is useful for many medical reasons and can be a perfect way to relax on a hot day or after a lot of exercises. It's a reason why athletes prefer to take ice baths.

With that said, you don't have to wait till summer before you turn down the temperature of your hot tub. You can do this every once in a while to help reduce all types of pain and enhance muscle recovery. It is also very refreshing in the summer months and will have you get relief from excessive heat.