Ideas to insulate auto cover over spa

[brimorga]

So gas prices are insanely expensive. It costs me $500/month to heat my 7'x8' spa in winter. If I only use the autocover the spa temp drops to the 60's every night, if I put a tarp over the autocover it holds 79-80. It makes a huge difference in the heating bill as well as is ready to go in 20-25 minutes instead of 50 minutes.

My issue is that it is tedious to talk on the spa wall before and after I'm done to remove/replace the blocks holding down the tarp. When I open the autocover in winter, I don't open it all the way, I just remove the blocks, flip the tarp up fully onto the cover and open it just wide enough to expose the spa (the pool is 55, it's spa only). The tarp stays fully on the cover since I don't open it all the way.

It gets windy so if I don't use the blocks the tarp blows off. I'm looking for ideas of a semi-permanent solution for winter. I want to secure the tarp to the autocover for winter some how but can't figure out the best way to do it. Either weighting the tarp permanently (but not too much because that will create too much friction when the cover goes over the spa and tear it) or finding a way to secure it to the autocover that can be fully removed after winter.

I'm open to other ideas like a really large weighted blanket (that won't break the bank) or some kind of spa cover that isn't too heavy but won't blow away. My main requirement is that it is easily storable the rest of the year. I'm also kinda cheap so I don't want to break the bank.

Anyone out there with the same problem, any good ideas?

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• brimorga
• Oct 30, 2021

 

[Mdragger88]

Use a solar cover for just the spa underneath the auto cover

 

[ajw22]

Instead of blocks I would use two 2x4 lengths of wood you can place on the spa walls to hold down the tarp while standing on the edge of the pool. I am not sure the length of the 2x4 needs to go to the far corner of the tarp to hold it down. Depends how strong you are to lift whatever length on and off the spa wall while standing on the pool edge.

 

[brimorga]

Instead of blocks I would use two 2x4 lengths of wood you can place on the spa walls to hold down the tarp while standing on the edge of the pool. I am not sure the length of the 2x4 needs to go to the far corner of the tarp to hold it down. Depends how strong you are to lift whatever length on and off the spa wall while standing on the pool edge.

Great idea! Definite improvement on my current situation, thanks AJ!! Not having to navigate the spa wall would be great, especially after a few beers in the tub.

I could couple this with the other suggestions I’ve gotten in the past to use the primer and paint spray all in one and have the 2x4’s painted grey to be less ugly as well.

 

[brimorga]

Use a solar cover for just the spa underneath the auto cover

Thanks! I’ll look into it. My concern would be that the autocover drags on the water and the solar cover wouldn’t stay in place, but that provides a much cleaner look as my wife hates the extra tarp on top (but she hates paying the gas bill even more!!). That would be a great solution if I could permanently fasten the solar cover to the autocover but that might not roll up well in summer and invalidate my warranty.

Thanks for reading my post and the suggestion!!

 

[PoolAdmiral]

Is it a regular tarp thickness or heavy duty? How are the over night temps right now? Im in socal desert areas, it can get down to 45 temp as of late. Im also lookong to keep some heat in my spa.

 

[brimorga]

It’s heavy duty but i think a light tarp would work almost just as well. The real key is it makes a thin layer of air between the covers and minimizes the wind. It’s mostly in the low 40’s here at night

 

[PoolAdmiral]

It’s heavy duty but i think a light tarp would work almost just as well. The real key is it makes a thin layer of air between the covers and minimizes the wind. It’s mostly in the low 40’s here at night

Thanks. That’s good info.

 

[brimorga]

To close this thread out, I found that 2x4’s were too heavy. I opted for 2 outdoor rated 2x2x8. I wrapped the tarp around them and then used grommets to create a pocket for them to sit in. Then I used grommets to reduce the size of the tarp to slightly bigger than the spa by folding over the edges. The 2x2’s actually sit outside the spa dam wall. They seem heavy enough to hold the tarp but light enough to not take them off when I open the cover just big enough for the spa. Now I don’t even have to take it off to use the spa, it’s semi permanent but easy enough to remove and store.

 

[ajw22]

Nice way 2x2x8s worked.

 

[brimorga]

Nice way 2x2x8s worked.

2x4 could have worked but it gets wet so the pressure treated ones are much heavier then regular I found. Outdoor rated 2x2’s were just about right. We’ll see how it holds up to the wind but so far so good. Should save me a small fortune on the spa heating bills!!

If only I could find a good way to attach the other side of the tarp to the autocover bar. Unfortunately it’s not magnetic, otherwise I’d use magnets to secure it. I don’t want anything permanent.

 

[Mdragger88]

Velcro with 3m backing?

 

[mc2021]

Maybe a spring clamp or other small clamp?

 

[brimorga]

Velcro with 3m backing?

What do you mean by 3m backing?

I could do some blue tape on the autocover bar and then put velcro on top of that. That could be removable after winter. Does 3M have a similar type product that is removable?

 

[Mdragger88]

Command Large Picture Hangers, White, Damage Free Hanging of Dorm Decor, 4 Pairs
Command Large Picture Hangers, White, Damage Free Hanging of Dorm Decor, 4 Pairs - Walmart.com

 

[Mdragger88]

Or better yet
VELCRO® Brand Extreme Outdoor 4in x 2in Strips. Black . 2 ct.
VELCRO® Brand Extreme Outdoor 4in x 2in Strips. Black . 2 ct. - Walmart.com

 

[flynwill]

Perhaps instead of a tarp put a piece (or 2 pieces) of polystyrene insulation board over the auto cover:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Common-1-5-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Actual-1-4375-in-x-3-875-ft-x-7-875-ft-R-Expanded-Polystyrene-Foam-Board-Insulation/3362408

 

[brimorga]

Perhaps instead of a tarp put a piece (or 2 pieces) of polystyrene insulation board over the auto cover:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Common-1-5-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Actual-1-4375-in-x-3-875-ft-x-7-875-ft-R-Expanded-Polystyrene-Foam-Board-Insulation/3362408

I looked at those in the store but then got worried where I would store 2 huge pieces of foam in the summer! I could still shove them under the tarp if I could figure out how to store them. I am interested to find out how much better that would hold the heat, the tarp keeps the spa at 78-80 now (I usually get out around 97-99). Every degree counts when it comes to the size of PG&E bills!!

 

[Mdragger88]

I looked at those in the store but then got worried where I would store 2 huge pieces of foam in the summer! I could still shove them under the tarp if I could figure out how to store them. I am interested to find out how much better that would hold the heat, the tarp keeps the spa at 78-80 now (I usually get out around 97-99). Every degree counts when it comes to the size of PG&E bills!!

Cut them & make it foldable? Also, maybe store it in the rafters of the shed/garage/attic?

 

[bradgray]

I'm admittedly surprised you're losing so much temp overnight. We've heated our 15 x 7 spa to a cool 98 a handful of times this holiday season and it's still 80's the next morning, and I'm in a cooler desert climate. We're just nibbling at freezing in the AM for a few hours these days, with northern wind.

Puzzling.

You're sure there aren't other variables?