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How to enjoy your hot tub throughout the winter season

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A change in the seasons means a change in our routines and lifestyle too. As the temperatures drop we’re more inclined to conserve energy, more concerned about staying healthy and more likely to want to hibernate. If you’re lucky enough to have a hot tub at home then there are lots of ways to use it to better enjoy the winter season this year.

Throw a hot tub party

Winter parties have a tendency to be the same old format – if you want to throw a really memorable social event for the festive season this year then a hot tub party is ideal. Inviting friends and family over and getting warm and toasty together in the hot tub can be a unique way to celebrate the festive period, as well as your friendships and close family bonds. There are lots of hot tub accessories available to make your party even more fun, from lights to music.

Warm up in your hot tub

In the depths of winter when the weather gets seriously cold, warming up can be difficult to do. A hot tub provides a swift and soothing way to instantly thaw out frozen toes and cold hands and to give your circulation a boost if the cold weather is making you feel sluggish.

Essential hydrotherapy

Risk of injury can rise during the winter, whether that’s during a workout or simply when going about every day life. The hydrotherapy element of your hot tub can have a positive impact on your body when it’s cold, helping to prepare it for exercise without injury and providing a way to help soothe and release tight muscles.

How to enjoy your hot tub in cold weather

  • Stay in for 20 minutes. If you’re blissfully warm and cosy then it may be tempting to stay in for longer but this is the optimum time, especially if you’re stepping out into severe cold.
  • Drink plenty of water. Your body still needs to be hydrated even without the heat of the summer sun. You can sweat while in a hot tub so make sure that you replace the lost fluids by drinking water when you get out.
  • Keep up the maintenance on your hot tub. Even if you’re using the hot tub less during the winter months, make sure you still change the water on schedule, keep it clean and monitor the water levels.
  • A good cover is essential. That’s particularly so if the hot tub is outside. Not only will it help to keep the water clean but it will contribute to maintaining the temperature inside the hot tub too.
  • Create an outdoor spa space. From towel rails and heated flooring through to heating lamps there is plenty that you can do to enhance an outdoor hot tub area to make it into a blissful spa space throughout the winter months.

If you’d like to upgrade or buy a new hot tub, contact The Hot Tub and Swim Spa team to discuss your requirements today.

What do you need to know about preparing for your Hot Tub installation?

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Preparing to take delivery of your hot tub is an exciting time. You’re about to have a home feature that will give you lots of options and considerably enhance day-to-day living. However, before the hot tub arrives there are a number of preparations that need to be made.

Where are you going to put the hot tub?

This is a key question and one that you may not fully have thought through when ordering the hot tub. You’ll need to ensure that wherever the tub sits you will have easy access to it and that’s it’s close to somewhere you can get changed. You might also want to think about factors such as the view and whether or not it’s overlooked by the neighbours. You’ll need to ensure that the spot you choose is flat, level and not on soft ground.

How will you get the hot tub into position?

Work out the route that the hot tub is going to take when it arrives for installation. You may need to measure openings and doorways to ensure that the hot tub base will fit through. Are there any obstacles, such as pipes, branches or a low roof that could obstruct the hot tub on its journey? It may be necessary to crane the hot tub into position, depending on your chosen location, and it’s important to work this out in advance of the day of hot tub installation.

 

What kind of considerations are there once the hot tub is in place?

The right base

You’ll need to ensure that you have a good, strong and solid base for the hot tub to sit on. Concrete is ideal and grass is not. You can use existing patio slabs and block paving, as long as they are level and stable. Ideally, the base will be around 10 – 15cm thick. It’s crucial that whatever you opt for as the base for the hot tub is able to support its weight when full of water.

Cabling

The hot tub will require an electrical connection to work and there are some key features to this. For example, the cable will have to run beside the hot tub and not underneath it, and have at least a 4-metre tail from the edge of the hot tub. The hot tub will require that the hot tub will require a dedicated electrical supply and a waterproof isolator will be necessary.

Controls and access

Wherever you decide to position the hot tub it’s essential that the controls can still be accessed. It will also be important to ensure that servicing and maintenance can be carried out.

Water supply

Normally, filling a hot tub is done via a garden hose so it’s essential to have this in place so that you can get the water that you need into your hot tub.

These are the most basic considerations for anyone preparing for hot tub installation. Once these are in place then you are ready to receive that all-important delivery. Get in touch with The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company to place your hot tub order today.

How to hot tubs encourage romance and relaxation?

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It’s not easy to be part of a couple today. Whether you’re stressed out with a hectic work life, trying to balance the demands of family – or both – making time for each other is hard. Romance and relaxation can feel like completely foreign concepts if your time is not your own and you’re just never really able to switch off. The good news is that a hot tub might be able to help with this – having a hot tub at home is not just a lifestyle luxury but can also help you to make some positive relationship changes too.

A phone free zone

You can, of course, take a smart phone into a hot tub but the conditions aren’t exactly ideal. There’s the risk of dropping the phone and the steam of the hot tub could affect the way the phone works. So, most people don’t tend to take their phones into the hot tub, which makes it the ultimate phone free zone. And what happens when you don’t have a phone in your hand? You look at the person opposite or next to you, listen to what they’re saying and you get the chance to connect without distractions.

A place to truly relax

The benefits of hydrotherapy on the human system are well known – warm water, in particular, helps to soothe aching muscles and reduce stress. When you add the comfort of massage jets to that then you have a truly relaxing experience and somewhere that you can forget about the problems and pressures of life outside the tub. Such a relaxed space creates the perfect environment for couples looking to spend quality time together. When you’re relaxed, interactions with your other half tend to be more positive and intimate and arguments far less likely to arise.

Adults-only

If you have a family then you probably feel like the entire house is theirs, from the toys that cover the lounge floor to the TV shows that are never your choice. With a hot tub you can create a space that’s only for the adults in the house. Perhaps the kids get to have fun in the hot tub at the weekends but during the week it’s an adult-only zone that you can retreat to for a break from family life. Add some candles and some soft music and you’ve got the perfect kid-free setting for some much-needed romance.

A versatile relaxation option

Sometimes, what makes a relationship better is space and giving one person who is having a tough time somewhere that they can rest and recharge alone. As much fun as a hot tub is together it also provides a great spot for alone time. Every relationship benefits when both partners get enough alone time and having a hot tub at home can encourage that.

Home hot tubs can provide a much-needed injection of romance and relaxation – contact us to discuss which model might be right for you and your partner.

How do you know which hot tub enclosure is right for your garden?

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A hot tub enclosure has many benefits, from being a way to personalise your outside space, to providing essential shade or shelter. If you have a hot tub and you’ve decided now is the right time to add an enclosure you’ll need to think carefully about the right option. There are a number of different factors to bear in mind when you’re trying to work out which hot tub enclosure is right for your garden – these are the key questions to ask.                        

Why do you want to have a hot tub enclosure?

Answering this question will help you to work out what kind of enclosure is going to work best for your space and for your hot tub. Given the unpredictable weather in the UK, you may be looking for a hot tub enclosure that will provide some protection from the elements. Your idea of a hot tub enclosure might be one that gives you more privacy when you’re using the hot tub – or enhances the experience with music or lights. Work out what you want from the hot tub enclosure before you begin looking for one, so that you know what your must-haves are.

What kind of aesthetic appeals?

If the hot tub enclosure is going to be part of a design theme then you need to ensure that it fits with the rest of your outside area. So, for example, if you have a very modern al fresco area with good looking decking and contemporary fixtures, a very traditional and ornate enclosure may not work. You might want the hot tub enclosure to effectively camouflage the hot tub so that it can’t be seen from the house – or you may be looking for an enclosure that makes the hot tub a stand out feature of your garden. All of these will be essential to determine before making your purchasing choice.

How big does the hot tub enclosure need to be?

At a minimum, it needs to be large enough to cope with the dimensions of the hot tub itself. However, you may also want to use the enclosure for more, for example to accommodate changing rooms or even a small bar. If that’s the case then the dimensions of the hot tub enclosure will need to be large enough to allow you to add in the design features you’re looking for.

What do you want the enclosure to be made of?

The materials you choose for your hot tub enclosure will have an impact on aesthetics – high quality wood, for example, will look more natural than a painted enclosure. However, there is also the issue of maintenance and durability. How often are you willing to clean and maintain the enclosure and how long do you want it to last before it needs to be replaced?

These are just a few of the key questions to consider when choosing a hot tub enclosure for your property. For help with all the key decisions involving hot tubs, contact a member of our team today on 0208 300 4003.

How could an outdoor TV transform your outdoor hot tub experience?

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When the weather is warm, the temptation is to spend as much time as possible outside. However, bringing the inside of your home outside is not always that easy, especially when it comes to electronics. Today, technology innovation has solved that particular problem with an outdoor TV that you can watch from the comfort of your hot tub. An outdoor TV could be what you need to completely transform your outdoor hot tub experience.

How does it work?

Outdoor TVs are designed to function without the protection of four walls so you won’t have to worry about damage or poor performance as a result of the weather. These flat panel TVs have been specifically designed to cope with all the potential obstacles of being outside, from humidity and fluctuating temperatures, through to the issues that insects and animals can present. An outdoor TV can even withstand extreme heat, as well as snow and ice, so you can use it all year round.

The features of a purpose built outdoor TV

  • Resistance to heat and cold. A purpose built outdoor TV could withstand temperatures as cold as -30° F and as high as 140° F.
  • Essential weatherproofing. For example, an outdoor TV will be designed so that the control buttons are weatherproof and won’t be affected by rain. Most outdoor TVs will also come with a remote control that has similar weatherproofing protection.
  • An in-built cooling system. Given that the purpose of the TV is to function even when the mercury rises, an outdoor TV will have a multi-fan airflow system to ensure that it stays cool no matter how fierce the sun.
  • An anti-reflective screen. This enables uninterrupted watching of the TV even in bright sunlight. You can also find models with an in-built ambient light sensor so that screen brightness is automatically adjusted depending on the light around the TV.
  • Durability and resistance. Most outdoor TVs will have a tempered-glass screen/cover to ensure that the model is hardier and able to resist the outdoor elements without damage.

Why an outdoor TV could transform your hot tub experience

  • It’s super social. If you love to use your hot tub socially then having an outdoor TV means you can invite people over for hot tub cinema, watching sports matches or catching up on shared favourite TV shows, such as Love Island.
  • You can make the most of your hot tub. With an outdoor TV you don’t have to leave the hot tub to watch your favourite show, catch up with the news or listen to music.
  • Your tech is likely to experience less damage. An outdoor TV is a far safer alternative than trying to watch on your phone, for example, which could easily slip into the water.
  • Your hot tub is elevated to a whole new level. From more satisfying alone time to epic parties, the addition of an outdoor TV will give your hot tub a new lease of life.

If you’d like to find out more about hot tubs and essential accessories, contact a member of The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company’s team today.

 

5 considerations when choosing where to put your new hot tub

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Hot tubs are an enviable luxury and a great asset to any property. However, whether you get the most from your hot tub depends on where you position it. In fact, location has a huge impact over how much you get to enjoy the tub and whether it feels like a good investment. When you’re deciding where to put your new hot tub there are some key considerations to bear in mind.

1. Convenience is key

It’s all very well positioning your hot tub in an aesthetically pleasing spot miles away from the back door but have you considered how inconvenient that’s going to be in the colder months? If you want to make sure that you have use of the hot tub all year round then it will be essential to position it somewhere that is convenient. Convenience means a short dash to get to the warm water or being positioned close to towels, drinks, music – whatever is going to make your hot tub experience more enjoyable.

2. The foundations will be essential

The right location for your hot tub will also be a spot that enables the hot tub to be easily installed and function correctly. Hot tubs can be heavy and may require significant support so soft ground could mean installing a cement pad or concrete pavers. If you’re looking to add a hot tub to decking then consider integrating it into the design when the decking is being built.

3. Aesthetics have a role to play

A hot tub can be a beautiful and aesthetically pleasing addition to your property or grounds, as long as it’s in the right spot. A horizon with a view and a hot tub bubbling and sparkling in the foreground is perfect. However, if it’s blocking the driveway or restricting a view then the location may not be right. When choosing the best aesthetic location for your hot tub you might also want to consider the additions that you can make, such as stringing fairy lights into a nearby tree or adding mood lights or plants for greater ambiance.

4. Hot tub use is a factor

If you’re planning to use the hot tub as an escape from family life then positioning it far away from the buzz of the family home will be essential. If the purpose of having the hot tub is to bring people together then you’ll get more from it if it’s in a sociable and accessible spot.

5. The importance of privacy

If privacy is important to you then where you position your hot tub will have a big impact. You’ll need to test out the location you’re considering in terms of who has a view of it and from how far away it’s visible. However, even if you don’t have a totally secluded spot there’s still a lot you can do to achieve some privacy, for example, with a hot tub gazebo, screens or flowering plants and vines.

For help finding the perfect hot tub and the ideal location to position it in, contact a member of The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company’s expert team today on 0208 300 4003.

How do specially-designed covers help to protect your hot tub?

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A hot tub is a great investment that can bring a lot into your life. From hydrotherapy and wellness benefits through to providing a social spot for family and friends, having a hot tub at home is a great asset. If you’ve spent time choosing the right hot tub for you, and money ensuring that you have the right model, then it makes sense to protect your hot tub so that you can enjoy it in perfect condition for as long as possible.

Specially designed hot tub covers

A bespoke hot tub cover is made specially for your hot tub so you know that it will fit perfectly. Most covers are made up of two hinged sections that have been created especially for the dimensions of your hot tub and will be made up of  removable, vinyl shells that can zip open or closed. A good quality hot tub cover is essential if you want to ensure that your hot tub is always an enjoyable experience.

Preserving the heat

A specially designed hot tub cover will help to preserve the heat in your tub and avoid the perils of too much water evaporation. The more heat you’re able to prevent from escaping, the more energy efficient your hot tub can be and the less expense you’ll need to incur when it comes to heating the hot tub to the optimum temperature. A well made cover will also ensure that your water levels don’t drop as a result of evaporation. Too much evaporation can mean spending more to top the tub up and require a readjustment of the chemicals you’re using in the hot tub.

Ensuring your water quality

Adding a bespoke cover to your hot tub keeps everything out that you don’t want in the water. So, bugs and leaf debris, which can block your hot tub filters and look pretty unsightly, are kept firmly out. If you’re using the hot tub indoors then a cover will ensure that you don’t get dust or pet hair in the water either. The end result is that every time you go to use the hot tub, simply pull back the cover and the water is fresh and ready to enjoy.

Supporting maintenance

Every hot tub requires some maintenance but if you leave your hot tub without a cover, or use a generic cover that is poor quality or doesn’t quite fit, then you’re likely to have even more maintenance to deal with – and on a much more regular basis. A quality cover designed especially for your hot tub protects the water and the structure of the tub so that you can enjoy it with minimum maintenance.

We can help you to find the perfect bespoke cover for your hot tub. Contact us to find out more.

How to pick a hot tub for your holiday home use

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Hot tubs are an increasingly common asset in holiday properties. From luxurious hotels through to boutique retreats, they are a feature of a great trip for many holidaymakers. So much so that many people tend to come home and buy a hot tub for home use – or a hot tub for their own holiday home. If you feel that a hot tub could add fun, relaxation and wellness to your holiday home experience then here are some tips on how to pick the right tub.

Research portability

Most hot tubs are not portable – they are installed in a specific location and require a specific, supportive surface on which to sit. So, if portability is an important consideration for you then there is only one type of hot tub to consider: Softubs. A Softub is lightweight and designed to be low hassle in terms of installation, making it the most portable hot tub on the market.

Work out the positioning

There are many different factors to take into account when it comes to the positioning of your hot tub. For example, you’ll need to make sure that you can connect any cables safely and that you have a power source for the hot tub. It will also be important to ensure that you can gain access to the working parts of the hot tub for repairs or maintenance. And then there’s positioning in terms of the location where you’re likely to get the most benefit from a hot tub. When it comes to holiday homes this is often outside. Softubs tend to have an advantage here too, as they can be placed almost anywhere. There are no restrictions on where you can place a Softub and no concrete base is required. So, from decking and balconies to lawns and roof terraces, your hot tub can go anywhere.

Look at energy efficiency

Especially in homes that are likely to be empty for large parts of the year, energy efficiency is going to be an important feature when it comes to picking the right hot tub. Softubs score highly with respect to energy efficiency and using heat recovery technology. A single unit contains all of pump, motor and heater, and filtered water is warmed by the heat generated from the motor to make the whole system more energy efficient.

Aesthetics and extras

The look of your hot tub will contribute as much to your experience of it in your holiday home as how it performs. So, choose a hot tub that will withstand the weather if it’s placed outside and which has a range of different colours options to choose from. Softubs, for example, have an outer layer made from Leathertex, which is incredibly robust and can withstand most types of weather conditions. You might also want to consider extras for your hot tub, such as a wood surround or a partial roof for shade during hotter days.

Softubs are an obvious choice for holiday homes – contact The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company’s expert team for more advice about what is right for your requirements today.

Why your hot tub is a good investment

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Hot tubs are often viewed as a luxury – and they are a unique feature, a wonderful way to relax and great place to chill out with family and friends. However, installing a hot tub in your home is not just about adding an extra touch of blissful indulgence. There are many ways in which a hot tub is a good investment, whether you’re looking at lifestyle or physical benefits.

Why a hot tub is a good investment

Wellbeing and lifestyle

Hot tubs are relaxing but they are also beneficial. Spending time in the warm water of a hot tub each day can help to improve circulation, for example, and the jets provide effective massage for the relief of aching muscles or joint pain. A hot tub is a totally relaxing experience, which can be beneficial if you’re struggling to switch off from work or having trouble sleeping.

Family and home

There’s no doubt that a hot tub brings something to a home in many different ways. As a feature it’s an asset, both in terms of the aesthetic appeal and the usability. It’s also somewhere to reconnect with your family and friends – no phones in the hot tub means that you can have you children’s undivided attention the entire time.

Adding value to a property

Although it depends on whether a potential buyer appreciates the benefits of a hot tub, in many situations hot tubs will add value to a property. This will be contingent on a number of different factors, such as the design and quality of the hot tub, the installation and position and how it has been maintained.

Friends and fun

If you’re the only person in the neighbourhood with a hot tub then expect to become instantly more popular when you have one installed! Hot tubs are super sociable and can be ideal places to host parties and gatherings that are informal and fun. They are a great investment for anyone looking for a more vibrant and interesting social life.

Factors that can affect your investment

The quality of the hot tub that you buy will have a big impact on what kind of investment it turns out to be. A good quality, well designed tub with beautiful aesthetics and impressive functionality is always going to be an asset. Low maintenance will also be another factor – for example, self cleaning hot tubs might be a more suitable investment for those with busy lives than a hot tub that requires manual cleaning. Insulation and hot tub design will also have an influence over the quality of the investment. Both can impact on how energy efficient the hot tub is so that your new investment doesn’t end up costing you big in terms of electricity bills every time you want to use it.

These are just some of the ways in which a hot tub is a great investment. Contact The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company today to find the perfect make and model for you.