So, you want a Hot Tub / Spa. Great!
Where to get started?
Expert Advice on Selecting a Hot Tub
You’re ready to invest in an easy-maintenance outdoor hot tub!
Let your family enjoy pleasant relaxation, socializing, restorative bubbling
hot water soaks and gentle water-jet massage treatments right in your
own back yard. A well-constructed hot tub with all the features you desire
is an excellent investment and this is the perfect season to get one.
Today’s easy-to-install, pre-made, high-tech hot tubs in a range
of designs have come a long way since legendary inventor Roy
Jacuzzi first added air jets to a standard bathtub. The following
tips will help you choose the advanced technology, comfort, styling and
durability that is right for you.
1. Plan Your Purchase
Begin by visualizing how your back yard will look and function when the
hot tub is installed. The many models of hot tubs offer a wide range of
different seating, jets and other features. Talk to your local dealer,
who is experienced and knowledgeable about back yard design and hot tub
installation, and will help you choose from many different options. Find
good advice in the free planning guides for buying and placing a hot tub,
offered by leading retailers and manufacturers on websites such as www.Jacuzzi.com
or www.Sundancespas.com .
2. How Can I Protect My New Hot Tub?
Be sure that the bottom of the hot tub you choose has a weatherproof ABS
plastic pan, which best protects the spa framework and components from
moisture and other environmental elements.
3. How Can I Conserve Energy After My Hot Tub Is Installed?
Choose a model with full-foam insulation surrounding the hot tub for maximum
heat retention. By conserving energy your hot tub will be less expensive
to operate over time.
4. What Are the Best Hot Tub Jets?
Avoid hot tubs with poorly-designed jets that blast you with uncomfortably
strong water pressure. Look for a jet system such as leading manufacturer
Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs’s high-volume, low-pressure approach, designed
to deliver just the right intensity for an invigorating, yet low-key,
massage. Ask you r retailer if the jets used in their spas are designed
by the spa manufacturer or purchased from a second source. Jets that are
designed by the actual spa manufacturer are more likely to provide a more
balanced and comfortable Hydro massage.
5. Should the Hot Tub Jets Mix More, or Less, Air with the Water?
The air/water mix controls the intensity of your hot tub massage. The
best systems offer a half-and-half ratio of 50% air to 50% water that
is ideal for soothing hydrotherapy.
Air introduced around the jets softens the flow, even when the jets are
powerful enough to reach deep muscle tissue.
6. What Kind of Seating Comes with a Hot Tub?
Hot tubs come with or without a lounge seat, a soaking seat that sits
under a waterfall and various types of form-fitting therapy seats. Spas
with barrier-free configurations allow you and your guests to move around
the spa easily. Some models offer partially-submerged transition seats
to ease the movement in and out of the water. “Get in and test different
models; the choice depends on what's best for your body type. We encourage
consumers to bring their bathing suit and test experience the hot tub
for themselves to see what seats feel best at either our Victoria or Langford
stores” advises John Smith of Vintage Hot Tubs.
7. How Big Is the Back Yard or Patio?
How large is the space for your hot tub? With limited room or a narrow
access gate, look for a model less than 30” tall or a model with
a small footprint. If your access to power is an issue consider an easy-to-use
“convertible” model. Convertible spa packs can be wired to
work effectively with either 110v or 220v. In Canada all spas or hot tubs,
with heaters, must be “hard wired” (There are a couple of
portable tubs that do not use a heater but rely instead on the heat generated
by the motor- under certain circumstances these can be plugged in.) Be
sure to consult your local codes before installing the wiring for your
spa. Your retailer should always recommend you speak with a licensed electrician.
For both safety and insurance reasons the final hook-up of your hot tubs
needs to be completed by a licensed professional.
8. Should the Hot Tub Have a Cover?
Yes. Save energy by making sure that your hot tub comes with an insulating
cover—one with locks to prevent kids from playing in the hot tub
when adults are not supervising.
9. What Styles Are Available for the Outside of the Hot Tub?
The best choices for the “skirting” (the cabinetry that surrounds
the hot tub and enhances its overall look) include advanced, weather-resistant
synthetic materials designed to coordinate with your landscaping and that
require no maintenance.
10. How Will I Know If the Hot Tub Is from a Quality Manufacturer?
Look for a manufacturer that has been in business a long time. Many top
manufacturers have been around 50 years or more, so a consumer knows that
the company has a long track record of standing behind their reputable
products. Is the brand name of the Hot Tub the manufacturer’s or
is it licensed? The licensing of well know names is becoming more common
in almost all consumer goods. Unfortunately the licenser usually does
not back or even endorse the product. Brands such as Jacuzzi® are
the property of the manufacture and are used only to identify “real”
Jacuzzi® products. Other quality original brand names include: Hot
Springs™, Beachcomber®, and Sundance Spas.
11. What Special Hot Tub Features Will I Enjoy?
It’s fun to choose from a vast range of optional hot tub features.
People love sparkling water features and waterfalls that enhance the beauty
of the hot tub experience. Try out the special, soothing aromatherapy
systems in a range of healing fragrances.
There are many accessories designed to enhance your enjoyment of your
spa.
Cover lift systems- eliminate the potential struggle with your spas cover
as you get in and out.
Surround lighting – adds not only an attractive finish to the hot
Tub installation, but also provides added safety at night.
Steps, risers and decking- can dress you spa easily and affordably.
Entertainment options- everything from simple radio to high-tech stereos
with subwoofers, MP3 plugs and docking stations for your iPod™ that
can be operated from the hot tub’s floating remote control system,
to TV is available. When deciding on the addition of audio/visual electronics
consider the long term viability. While the audio components are fairly
common and built to last, will you use them? As for TV, is this a feature
that will be worth the initial out lay? Ask your dealer about replacements.
If you still want a video component for your Hot Tub area, consider a
separate stand alone
unit. These all weather screens are tough and can handle the extreme
environments thrown at them by the outdoor and confided indoor areas around
your spa. As well, a separate video unit will not compromise the integrity
of your spa.
12. Where Can I Find More Information?
For more helpful backyard design tips and suggestions, visit www.VintageHotTubs.com,
or www.JacuzziHotTubs.com
or www.SundanceSpas.com
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