Author Archives: hot tub

There are many benefits to having a hot tub at home. From improving the quality of your sleep to creating somewhere relaxed and fun to socialise. If you’ve decided that your home could use a hot tub then how do you find the one that’s perfect for you?

Establish what you want to use the hot tub for

This may sound obvious but there are actually lots of different ways to use a hot tub to optimise its benefits – and those that are the most important to you might influence the choice that you make. These are some of the reasons why people tend to invest in a hot tub:

• Stress relief. Providing somewhere to relax, enjoying the hydrotherapy benefits of warm water in helping to reduce anxiety, as a way to combat tension headaches.
• For physical therapy and recovery. For example, soaking away the aches and pains after an intense training session or using hydrotherapy to help reduce the impact of a condition such as arthritis.
• Social and wellness. As somewhere to get family and friends together or a space where you can enjoy some valuable alone time.

What are your options when you’re choosing a hot tub?

• Size. Hot tubs come in many different sizes, from those that are ideal for two people to bigger spas that can accommodate an entire family – and friends. It’s a good idea to think about how you’re planning to use the hot tub, and who with. Do you need space for guests or is it just going to be you and your immediate family who use it?
• Features. From different jets to water features there are many options to suit your needs when it comes to the modern hot tub. You might want to have LED lights or wireless controls, for example. Make sure you ask the hot tub dealer what tech features the hot tub comes with, how many jets it has and where they are positioned.
• Cost. When you’re thinking about the right hot tub in terms of cost remember that a higher up front cost doesn’t necessarily mean the ongoing cost will be high too. In fact, cheaper hot tubs can cost a lot more to run and may need more repairs. Which one is likely to provide the best value in the long term?
• Sustainability. Whether you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly design or you want to cut your hot tub running costs, energy efficiency can be key to consider when you’re making this choice. The more energy efficient models are likely to come with better insulation and features that will help to minimise energy loss and improve energy efficiency. Make sure you know what kind of cover the hot tub comes with and whether the model is suitable for your climate.

Finding the right hot tub means working out why you want to use the hot tub and then identifying the features that are most likely to enable you to get the most from the investment.

Originally, hot tubs had to be heated with the use of a heater that was fueled with gas. Today, you can use electric heating, as well as gas. The gas heaters have come a long way, so there are advantages and disadvantages to using either type of heater.

Gas heaters:

Depending on the type of gas heater you purchase, you can choose between propane or natural gas. If you live in an area where there is no natural gas service, you will be restricted to propane. Out of the two gases, propane is more expensive than natural gas. But, propane has a greater energy output. Setup costs are usually more expensive for gas heaters. The set up for gas heaters needs to be done by a qualified contractor. These types of heaters can also be used for both wooden spas and portable spas and they are installed outside of the heater cabinet. A spark ignition sparks the gas. Although the gas heater version is initially more expensive to set up, it is considered to have a lower operating cost especially if it is natural gas. Propane produces slightly more BTUs.

Another advantage of gas heaters is that it is faster at heating up the water compared to electric. This means when you are not using the hot tub, you can keep it at a lower temperature because it won’t take long to bring it up to the needed temperature when you are ready to use it. Esthetically, the gas heaters are not the better choice as they can’t be tucked away. They need to be in the open air where they can be exhausted properly.

Electric Heaters:

There are several different makes and models with most being comprised of a heating element inside a steel tube. The advantage of using this type of heater is its lower operating cost. This is provided your hot tub is well insulated and you make good use of a hot tub cover. It is also going to depend on the costs of electricity in your area. Installing the electrical heating is less expensive and easier for the hot tub owners. If repairs are needed, the electrical heaters are easier to repair and are usually less expensive compared to gas. The negative aspect of the electric heaters is that they take longer to heat the water.

It is all going to come down to the make and model that you choose for your hot tub and what heater it uses. You will need to determine the pros and cons of the heaters in comparison to all of the other benefits and features the hot tub you are considering offers.