Why R25 Insulation Matters for Your Commercial Cold Plunge Tub: Stay Cold, Save Energy

Today, COLDCHILLER is here to reveal a key specification that is often overlooked — R25 insulation. Whether you’re a high-performance athlete or a gym or spa owner seeking the best value, understanding R25 insulation is essential when choosing a high-performance ice bath tub.

In this article, we conducted some tests on our commercial cold plunge tub. After 7 hours, the water temperature increased by only 0.9°C, significantly surpassing the R25 insulation standard.

What Is R25 Insulation? How Does It Affect the Performance of an Ice Bath Tub?

R25 insulation refers to insulation materials with a thermal resistance value (R-value) of 25, which indicates its ability to block heat conduction per unit area. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation performance of the material, which means it can more effectively reduce heat loss and maintain a stable internal temperature.

For home ice bath tubs, insulation that reaches R25 insulation level can maintain the temperature of the bathtub (low or high) for a long time, reduce internal energy loss, and also reduce external heat intake, improve refrigeration efficiency, shorten refrigeration time, and greatly reduce energy consumption.
Therefore, it can reduce operating costs and save long-term use costs, which is essential for commercial ice bath tubs. If the water temperature of the ice bath tub can be maintained at an ideal state for a long time, the user experience will also be very good.

Why Is the R25 Ice Bath Tub More Energy-Efficient? Reduce the Frequency of Cold Plunge Chiller Operation

Commercial ice bath tubs with insulation materials that meet the R25 insulation standard can save you more electricity bills.
Because the R25 insulation layer effectively reduces the heat transfer between the inside of the tub and the outside, that is, when the ambient temperature is 25℃ and the water temperature in the tub is 3-5℃, the R25 insulation layer can reduce the impact of the ambient temperature on the water temperature in the tub. At the same time, a bathtub with an R25 insulation layer can also maintain the stability of the water temperature to a certain extent and reduce heat loss.
If the water temperature does not rise significantly, the cold plunge chiller does not need to work frequently, thereby reducing the frequency of use of the chiller. The R25 insulation can relatively reduce the operating time of the chiller, extend the life of the equipment, and reduce maintenance costs.

COLDCHILLER Commercial Cold Plunge Tub R25 Insulation: Cooling & Insulation Test

Are you curious about the insulation performance of the COLDCHILLER commercial cold plunge tub? Has it truly achieved the R25 insulation standard?
To better understand the cooling and insulation performance of the materials used in the COLDCHILLER commercial cold plunge tub, we conducted a comparison test.

Test 1: Cooling Efficiency — Ice Bath Tub With vs. Without Insulation

We used two identical 110V ice bath chillers and two commercial cold water plunge tubs of the same model and size, with the same water level. The only difference: one tub was equipped with insulation material and a thermal cover, while the other had neither.
Under the same ambient temperature, both systems were set to cool the water down to 3°C. The goal was to test how insulation materials affect the cooling performance during the chilling process.
Below are the actual test results from the COLDCHILLER cooling performance comparison.

From the data above, we can see that at 4:00 PM, the water temperature in the insulated ice bath tub had already dropped to 3°C, while the non-insulated tub had only cooled down to 4.9°C.
The result is clear: The tub equipped with insulation reached 3°C significantly faster than the one without insulation, demonstrating that insulation materials can greatly improve cooling efficiency.

Test 2: Insulation Performance – Ice Bath Tub With vs. Without Insulation

In this test, we controled those conditions: two identical ice bath tubs of the same type and size, two chillers with the same specifications, and equal water levels. One tub was equipped with insulation material, while the other was not.
Both tubs were cooled down to 3°C, and at 11:00 AM, the chillers were turned off to stop further cooling.
We measured the water temperature in each tub at 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and again at 8:30 AM the next day, using precise temperature sensors to evaluate the insulation performance.

From the data shown in the chart, it is clear that the insulated tub experienced a slower temperature rise compared to the non-insulated one, proving the insulation material provides significant thermal retention. Even after an entire day, the water in the insulated tub had only risen by 3.7°C.
According to the Full-System Thermal Efficiency Test Method, we can evaluate whether a tub reaches R25 insulation performance by monitoring the rate of temperature increase after cooling stops. Typically, if the water temperature rises less than 1.5°C per hour, the tub is considered to meet the R25 insulation standard.
In this case, the insulated tub’s temperature increased by only 0.9°C over a 7-hour period (11:00 AM – 6:00 PM), far exceeding the R25 standard.

COLDCHILLER Commercial Cold Plunge Tub R25 Insulation: Heating & Insulation Test

Are you curious about the insulation effect of COLDCHILER commercial cold plunge tub? Does COLDCHILER commercial cold plunge tub meet the R25 insulation standard? In order to gain a deeper understanding of the cooling and insulation effects of COLDCHILER ice bath tub insulation materials, we conducted relevant comparative tests.

Test 1: Heating Efficiency — Ice Bath Tub With vs. Without Insulation

In this test, we also used two commercial cold plunge tubs and water chillers for cold plunge, and the same water level in the bathtubs. One ice bath tub was equipped with insulation material, and the other was not equipped with insulation material.
We started heating at 10:00am and tested the effect of insulation material on heating effect during heating. The test results are as follows:

After 5 hours, the temperature of the cold plunge tub equipped with insulation material reached 39℃. The temperature of the cold plunge tub without insulation material reached 38.8℃.

From the test results, it can be seen that whether the cold plunge tub is equipped with insulation material has little effect on the heating efficiency.

Test 2: Insulation Performance – Ice Bath Tub With vs. Without Insulation

In this test, we also used the same type and size of cold plunge tubs, the same type and size of chillers, and the same water level. One cold plunge tub was equipped with insulation material, and one cold plunge tub was not equipped with insulation material.
We first heated both cold plunge tubs to 39°C, then turned off the machines, stopped heating, and tested the insulation effect of the insulation material. The test results are as follows:

From the above data, we can see that the cold plunge tub with insulation material returns to temperature slower than the ice bath tub without insulation material.
After 17.5 hours (8:30am the next day), the water temperature of the cold plunge tub with insulation material is 35℃, which is only 4℃ lower than the initial temperature. The water temperature of the cold plunge tub without insulation material is 25℃, which is about 14℃ lower than the initial temperature. The difference between the two is 10℃.

According to the above data, after two hours (15:00pm-17:00pm), the cold plunge tub only warmed up by 0.1℃, far exceeding the R25 standard.

Who Is the R25 Ice Bathtub Suitable For? Ideal for Athletes, Gyms, Rehabilitation Centers

Featuring R25‑grade insulation, our commercial cold plunge tubs deliver outstanding thermal retention and energy efficiency. Whether you’re a professional athlete, a high‑performance gym, or a wellness and rehabilitation center, an R25‑insulated ice bath tub ensures consistent temperature control and cost‑effective long‑term operation.
Ice bath tubs that meet the R25 insulation standard can improve the cold therapy experience for athletes, and can significantly save energy and reduce operating costs for gyms and rehabilitation centers.
Whether it is a home ice bath or a commercial ice bath, an ice bath tub that meets the R25 insulation standard can provide you with a better cold therapy experience, help you reduce operating costs and reduce energy consumption.

Must Read Before Purchase: How to Determine Whether Your Outdoor Cold Plunge Tub Meets the R25 Insulation Standard?

The R25 insulation standard is a key factor affecting the water temperature retention time, energy saving effect and user experience, so how do we determine whether the ice bath tub you choose meets the R25 standard.

Check if There Are Any Notes in the Manufacturer’s Product Manual

Check whether the R25 insulation level is noted in the product description, technical production, and maintenance manual. If there is no note, it is recommended to directly consult the supplier or manufacturer.

Consult the Manufacturer About the Structure and Materials of the Ice Bath Tub

R25 insulation standard ice bath tubs are usually made of the following materials.
A. High-density polyurethane foam (PU Foam) – commonly used in high-end ice baths, providing excellent thermal insulation.
B. Double-layer or multi-layer structure – with sandwich design to enhance thermal insulation.
C. Stainless steel liner + insulation layer – can maintain water temperature and ensure durability.

Actual Test of Insulation Capacity

Under normal circumstances, it is difficult for us to test the thermal insulation capacity of ice bath tubs, but usually real suppliers or manufacturers will have actual test data or videos.
Observe the water temperature changes after 6-12 hours without additional cooling. If the temperature rise is less than 1.5℃ per hour, it means that the thermal insulation performance is good; otherwise, it may not meet the R25 standard.

Look for Certified Manufacturers to Buy

High-quality ice bath brands usually have international certifications such as FSC, CE, ETL, BSCI, and clearly mark the thermal insulation performance. Before purchasing, you can directly consult the manufacturer to confirm the R value.

Where You Can Buy Best Ice Bath Tubs with R25 Insulation Standards

Since there are many specifications and models of ice bath tubs on the market, but none of them clearly state whether they have R25 insulation, it is best to confirm with the supplier before purchasing to ask whether their products meet the R25 insulation standards.

Of course, you have a better choice, which is to choose COLDCHILLER. All commercial cold plunge tubs purchased from COLDCHILLER meet the R25 insulation standards and have good insulation and heat preservation performance. Moreover, our insulation layer is located inside the ice bath tub, which will not affect the overall appearance of the ice bath tub.