Hot tub?
 

My family has decided that we should get a hot tub and the only arguments I can come up with are that they're 1) expensive, 2) a hassle, and 3) a giant energy sink, all of which they care little about. Is there any "practical" way to make one the least bit economical? It'd be possible to use it as a precooler for the AC condenser (maybe replace the fan all together), but I'm not sure hard that would be and it wouldn't get me anywhere in the winter. I think my only chance in the winter, besides fossil fuels, would be solar. Maybe I could just put in solar hot water for the whole house while we're at it. Idea?

There's not much you can do. If it's indoors and you live in a cold climate, don't ever drain the water on a cold day until it has returnd to room temperature. It will help heat the house that way (same with taking a bath).

On the upside, it will add value to the house if it stays with the house.

Hot tubs are a massive electricity drain. Expect your bill to nearly double (both my neighbours have them). Tell your family they're better off going to the local indoor pool/sauna and spending the money there then running a hot tub in your yard 24/7.

It'd be outside, in Iowa.

Join a gym that has a hot tub, the membership will be less then the electrical cost alone.
They are also a pain to clean, mantaine and repair.
If you do end up getting one then install solar hot water as well, it will be the only way you can sleep at night.

My wife bought a hot tub about 8 months ago. We went with a Softub, which is probably more energy efficient than most. The sides of the tub are 5 or 6 inches of foam, and heating is accomplished by recycling heat from the jets.

Hot tubs will run you a fortune in energy costs. The salesmen will tell you otherwise (my dad was tricked in this way) though. As another member commented, depending on what your bills are now, expect them to at least double. They also tend to break down, and while the heating coils themselves aren't terribly expensive ($150 or so), they are a pain in the ass to switch out. Oh, and hope that it doesn't break down in the winter, or you could have some REAL problems.

Someone mentioned that it would add value to your house. Incorrect. If the buyer WANTS a hottub, it may add value. Same thing with a pool. You could actually LOSE value by having a pool. If the next owners have no need for it, then they are going to have to bulldoze it, which costs money. Same thing with the hottub, if they don't use it, then they will have to pay to get rid of it.

If you have money to burn though, they ARE incredibly relaxing.

The best winter solution is to enclose the unit to keep the ambient temp as high as possible and keep wind away. Keeping it covered whenever not in use is a given for saving energy.

If you have access to natural gas or propane there are models out there and most companies make one. It's a special order item that I've never actually seen in a store, but I've seen a few in the field. They are supposed to be about 40% more efficient than electricity. Even better would be a unit connected to a heat pump. I have a heat pump for my inground pool and it uses about 20% of the electricity vs an electric heater. Higher initial cost, but it would pay for itself in 3-4 years and wouldn't break down as often. I've talked to my Hot Springs dealer and he said a custom unit without an electric heater would be about $1500 less. Since I already have the heat pump I'm already ahead.

Well there is also the bacteria content.
From here:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hot-tub-lung/AN00660

I have heard (but have no source) that the fungus that grows inside the tubing is resistant to even direct bleach application for a limited time, and of course you have no way to get bleach into those tubes. Unless you are going to fill the whole tub with it.

I see a hot tub as a giant petri dish: Human skin flakes and oils and small amounts of "wastes" :eek: provide the food. The heater provides that nice warmth. Lots of moisture (obviously). Aeration for the oxygen loving critters. Lots of dark inaccesible tubes and pumps and ducts for the light-hating critters to raise a happy family. Something for every"thing", really. Chorine you add will evaporate out at the elevated temperature, unlike a swimming pool.

Nice article with pictures of skin lesions:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol12no05/05-1281.htm