I recently purchased an older model Jacuzzi shell, and am rebuilding everything else. Truthfully, I am completely ignorant as to what this will entail, including insulation options. I live in northern Missouri and it gets pretty cold here for a couple of months. I, of course, am looking for cheap but effective ways to insulate the tub. My main concern is that I would like to have complete access to the plumbing and components, so any sort of spray or expanding foam isn't really what I'm looking for. I was thinking about using standard roll blanket insulation. Will this work, or are there bettter options that might be more effective? Thanks a ton for the advice... ~

I would first seal up the cabinet with plastic sheeting, then put a layer of extruded polystyrene insulation over it, along the walls. Carve out where necessary for plumbing elbows and such. Don't use open cell fiberglass insulation if you can help it...especially if you have a blower. It could find it's way into your motor and even the tub itself.

I'm also looking to better insulate my tub as was wondering if packing peanuts would work? Other than the fire hazard, any thoughts about the effectiveness??? Thanks!

I live in Maine, Darn cold in the winter.
sometimes -17 below 0 in winter months almost every day.

I found that if i line the inside of my skirting and the bottom base with 1 inch foam board from home depot or lowes, along with then sealing all the cracks and corners of the foam board with "great stuff expanding foam" & spray the expanding foam around my jets "under the tub not in it"
it made a HUUGE diffrence in my heating the tub costs.

Another thing I did was I put a un used gutter guard screening around my motor & air motor & then rolled out a roll of pink panther insulation "the kind you put in your house walls.

NOTE: I keeps as much of the loose insulation "pink panther" away from the the side of the tub with the heater/motors/pump & electronics the best possible, but putting it everywhere els did help.. my tub stay hotter much much longer..

good luck, dont know if this helped.