When you run the hot tub jets, you enjoy many benefits with your hot tub. Hot tub jets make the water circulate better and get heated faster. But can you run the hot tub jets with the cover on? Here is the answer to that.
You can run the hot tub jets with the cover on. Keeping the hot tub jets running while the cover is on will keep the water heated and ready to be used anytime.
But there is more. This post reveals all you need to know about running your hot tub jets while the cover is on including the risks involved with doing this.
So let’s dive in.
Should Hot Tub Jets Always Be On?
Hot tub jets should always be on to keep the water heated and in circulation. But if you wouldn’t use the hot tub for about 3 weeks, you should turn off the jets to save power.
Many hot tub owners worry about leaving their jets on because they believe it will raise the electricity cost of the hot tub. On the contrary, leaving your hot tub jets on lowers the electricity used by the hot tub. The jets lower the electricity used by the hot tub by ensuring the water is heated evenly through water circulation.
The heater of your hot tub is located in one part of the hot tub, usually after the filtration system. This means that the heater mainly heats the water around that area and it would take a long time for the entire hot tub to get heated this way. But if the jets are always on, the jets will keep the water circulating so the water is heated evenly.
This reduces the workload that the hot tub heater takes on and by extension, it also reduces the amount of electricity used by the heater and the hot tub.
Asides from reducing the amount of electricity used, keeping the hot tub jets on always also helps to keep the water circulated especially after adding chemicals to the water.
Leaving the jets on also helps the filters trap debris in the water during water circulation. Not to mention that leaving the jets on ensures that the hot tub is always hot and ready for use.
So the hot tub jets should always be on. You should only turn off the jets when you wouldn’t use the hot tub for a long time, usually about 3 weeks or during the winter season.
Related Read: Can You Fill The Hot Tub With Hot Water?
Should I Keep My Hot Tub Covered All The Time?
You should always keep the hot tub covered when the hot tub is not in use. The only time your hot tub should be left open is when you are using the hot tub or when you want to get rid of the chemicals in the water through evaporation.
Hot tub covers just like hot tub jets helps to get the water heated quickly. The hot tub cover also helps with heat retention in the hot tub. This is because hot tub covers are usually insulated. This means the cover is designed to trap heat inside the hot tub. This ensures that the heat produced by the heater is used to heat the water and doesn’t escape.
The cover also helps to lower the electricity bill. If you keep the hot tub jets and the cover on, the heater doesn’t do a lot of work to get the water heated to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The insulated cover will get the water heated faster and reduce the electricity bill.
Keeping your hot tub covered also helps to control the contaminants that get into the water. Hot tubs are usually installed outdoors which means the hot tub is exposed to the elements and debris that floats in the air. If the hot tub is covered, contaminants like leaves, grass clippings, bird droppings, twigs, and the likes don’t get into the water.
Since contaminants can’t get into the water, the water remains clean. This reduces the amount of chemicals and sanitizers added to the water since there aren’t contaminants in the water.
The hot tub cover also makes the filters last longer since the filters don’t have to work as hard to trap contaminants. So your hot tub should always be covered.
Related Read: Do Inflatable Hot Tubs Have Jets?
Risks Of Using Hot Tub Jets While The Cover Is On
Keeping your hot tub jets running while the cover is on is a great way to reduce the overall cost of running a hot tub. But there are some risks associated with doing this. Let’s check out some of them.
Overheating
One of the risks associated with keeping the jets running while the cover is on is that it can cause overheating especially during the hot summer months.
Hot tubs are set at a temperature between 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. This is usually the maximum set temperature for a hot tub. Hot tub covers are usually insulated to keep heat trapped in the hot tub. When the jets are on, the water gets hot faster due to water circulation.
So when you keep the cover on and the jets are kept running, the water in the hot tub will get hot very quickly and might even get hotter than 104 degrees Fahrenheit, especially during the hot summer months. This can cause overheating in the hot tub. When the water gets hotter than what the hot tub can deal with, several components of the hot tub can also start to get damaged. Though this is rare, it’s still a possibility.
To stop this from happening, you should take the hot tub cover off and reduce the time the jets are on whenever the weather gets hot.
Mildew Growth on the Hot Tub Cover and Headrests
Keeping the jets running while the cover is on can also cause mold or mildew growth on the hot tub cover and headrests. This is because dirt can build up under the hot tub cover to cause bacteria in the hot tub which can then cause mold on the headrests and cover.
Though the water in the hot tub looks clean, it isn’t. There is usually sweat, body fluids, body care products, and chemical residue inside the water. When the jets are running and the hot tub cover is on, the water will get heated quickly and means the contaminants in the water are also heated with the water.
Since the water is being heated quickly, there would be a lot of steam (or water vapor). The steam has nowhere to go since the hot tub cover is on so the steam would build up under the hot tub cover. Since it’s not just water vapor but also hot tub scum that is evaporated from the water, the build-up under the hot tub cover can cause bacteria over time and also cause mold or mildew growth on the hot tub cover and headrests.
Chemical Imbalance
Keeping the hot tub cover on while the jets are running can cause a chemical imbalance in the water.
The water in the hot tub has different minerals and irons in it. There are also chemicals in the water that are used to keep the water clean and healthy. All of these chemicals and irons have different properties.
When the jets and cover are on, the water will get very hot that some of the chemicals in the water will struggle to maintain their state. This can cause an imbalance and clash of chemicals in the water.
Other risks of leaving the hot tub cover on while the jets are running include a UV problem and in some cases, smelly hot tub water. But all of these risks are usually caused when the water is too hot. So to eliminate these risks, you should take off the hot tub cover regularly and turn off the jets for a while when the weather is very hot.
Does A Hot Tub Heat Faster With The Cover On?
Hot tubs heat faster when the cover is on because hot tub covers are well-insulated to help with heat retention.
The part of your hot tub responsible for heating the water is the heater or heating mechanism. The heater produces heat that gets the water hot but it can take a while for the heater to heat the entire hot tub especially if you have a large hot tub or if the heater isn’t very powerful. In cases like this, leaving the hot tub cover on while heating the water will get the water heated faster.
Hot tub covers are usually well-insulated which means that the cover helps with heat retention inside the hot tub. The hot tub cover ensures that the heat produced by the heater is trapped inside the hot tub. So when the water is being heated and the cover is on, the heat produced by the heater wouldn’t escape and will be used up to heat the water. This will get the water heated faster.
Not only do hot tub covers get the water hot faster. They also help to keep the water at the set temperature for a long time. When the cover is on, it prevents the cooler outer temperature from getting inside the hot tub. This prevents the water in the hot tub from getting cold quickly.
Related Read: How To Clean Hot Tub Jets?
Final Words
Overall, you can use run the hot tub jets while the cover is on. It is not only safe but it is also a very economical way of running your hot tub. Just ensure to watch how hot the water gets especially during the hot summer months you’ll be fine.
So there you have it. If you liked this post, ensure to check out others like it on this website. Have a nice day.
