One of the most important parts of your hot tub, Jacuzzi, or spa is the cover. Far from being an accessory, a cover provides safety, protection, and energy savings. Covers come in both rigid and flexible versions.

A cover is essential to preventing the accidental fall of a child, pet, or for that matter adult into a tub. Covers also keep out all wind-blown matter, preventing the debris from clogging the filter and pump. Finally, covers prevent heat from escaping, thereby lowering your energy bill.

Rigid covers, which most often are made from foam that has been covered in vinyl, are the best insulators. They come in thicknesses of 2 to 3 inches. The one that is right for you will depend on the location of your spa. While a thinner one is fine for indoors, get a thicker one for outdoors. Rigid covers can weigh 30 pounds or even more—generally the heavier the higher quality—but the security and insulation properties of a good cover compensate for their difficulty in handling.

If ease of handling is important, you can consider a flexible cover, but you should do so only if your spa is secured by fencing or some other means to prevent accidents. Some flexible covers have air pockets that offer a measure of insulation, and of course even a lightweight cover is better than none when it comes to keeping out dirt and leaves.