Continuing on from the basics of identifying what makes a good hot tub, apart from the jet, pump, motor sales tactics we looked at in a previous blog, another area of possible confusion is insulation.

Insulation is important because hot tubs must be left on 24/7, and a poorly insulated tub can cost ten times as much to run as a well-insulated model, so the variation is significant.

Making things as simple as possible, there are two types of insulation available - air and foam.

We prefer foam, even though it's more expensive than air, because it provides a much better insulation factor, and ultimately will save our customers a lot of money over saps that contain air.

However, there are two type of foam - open and closed cell. Open cell foam lets heat escape and is porous, whereas closed cell foam traps heat and is water resistant.

Again, we prefer closed cell foam because although it costs more initially, over time a lot of money will be saved on electricity bills.

In addition, full foam adds to the structural integrity and strength of your hot tub, which makes leaks and other problems much less likely than if the pipe-work is left unsupported.

So when you're researching for the best spas on the market, we suggest that closed cell full foam will give you the greatest peace of mind.