KEY FACTS: Over half the energy consumed by a typical electric spa is used for its heating system. Heat is lost directly during use and through the cover and shell during standby mode. Improved covers and increased insulation levels are key measures to improving efficiency and can decrease standby energy use by up to 30% for a spa of average to low efficiency (PG&E 2004c). Another measure is the addition of a low-wattage circulation pump or improvements to pump efficiency that would generally save 15% of standby energy consumption of an average-efficiency spa. Automated programmable controls, which would allow users to customize settings based on predicted usage patterns, are a third measure to improve efficiency and could save roughly 5% of a spa’s standby energy consumption. The California standard was a modest initial effort estimated to have been met by 80% of products in 2007. The market share has most likely increased as the standards have not been adjusted since 2004. Estimated savings per unit relative to a basic, non-compliant product are about 250kWh/year. The payback period for the CEC-estimated incremental cost of $100 varies considerably with regional temperatures and energy prices. For example, in New England states, with cold winters and higher than average energy prices, the payback is between 2.1 and 2.8 years. In warmer climates with lower energy costs, the payback is between 4 and 5 years.

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State: Portable electric spas are included in the ASAP 2010 Model State Standards bill and state bills based on this model such as one pending in Massachusetts.