Tips for Buying a Hot Tub or Spa

So, you've decided to take the plunge and get a hot tub (also known as a spa). Now comes the challenge of deciding which one to buy.

Nationwide, there are nearly a hundred different spa and hot tub brands available. Of course, salespeople for each brand want you to believe theirs is the best value for your money. Unfortunately for the spa shopper, there is no entity that actually tests and compares hot tubs for the purpose of rating them.

This means that you will need to take stock of what is most important to you and then find the hot tub that offers the best combination of solutions at the fairest price.

The following information provides helpful guidelines you can use in your hot tub shopping process.

In your search to find the perfect spa, you'll quickly discover that price is as much a factor of quality and features as it is size and number of jets. As with most goods and services, you tend to get what you pay for in a hot tub or spa.

Ask around. Chances are that friends, relatives and co-workers can recommend spa brands or hot tub dealers for you to check into-or to avoid.

Note: Generally speaking, there are two types of spas: "Portable" or self-contained spas and permanent or in-ground spas. Most of the information provided here applies to the self-contained variety.

SIZE

The size spa you look for can be affected by two things -

Available Space - Before you begin shopping, decide where you would like to put your hot tub. Outline the hot tub's location using a garden hose or rope. This will help you envision your plan for the area. Consider access to and from, privacy, proximity to the appropriate electricity source and the view from the hot tub.

Desired Seating Capacity - Decide how many people you would like your hot tub to hold. When friends and relatives visit, you won't want to have to take turns enjoying your hot tub.

COMFORT

Once you have determined the right size for your hot tub needs, the most important consideration is the level of comfort afforded by the hot tub's seating. If you're not comfortable in the hot tub, you will not enjoy using it no matter what else the hot tub offers or how much you paid.

Don't consider buying any hot tub unless you have actually sat in it. Some dealers will allow you to try out the hot tub with water in it in the showroom-the "wet test." (Do it if you can-this is no time to be shy.) But, even if this is not an option, you must sit in it dry. As you do this, consider the number and sizes of people that will be using your hot tub and answer the following questions:

1. Are the seats comfortable?

2. Is the footwell ample enough for everyone's feet and legs?

3. Is there a way the person in each seat can remain comfortably seated when the jets are turned on? In the buoyancy of water, it doesn't take much pressure to move a person around.

4. Note the depth of the seats in relation to the water level:

Can everyone in your family enjoy the hot tub without struggling to keep their chins above water? Many hot tubs offer seats of varying depths.
Is the seat long enough from front to back to allow a taller person to get their shoulders down into the water without slipping off the front edge of the seat?

5. If the hot tub has a lounge, does it fit? Be wary of a lounge in which the backrest is too horizontal-with the buoyancy experienced in water, you'll find it very uncomfortable trying to resist floating, especially when you turn on the hot tub jets.

6. Are cushioned headrests provided in the hot tub for increased comfort?

Also, don't forget to see how loud the hot tub is. Listen to the noise level as you turn on the pumps and adjust the valves. A loud spa will not only inhibit relaxation, it will also alert your neighbors each time you use your spa.

HYDROTHERAPY PERFORMANCE

This is an area that is totally subjective. That is, some people wouldn't consider a hot tub that didn't provide lots of powerful massage while others are satisfied with very little water movement as they steep in the hot water.

If you are in the latter category, you can move on to the next topic. However, if you want or need a good massage from your hot tub, there are some very important things you should look for.

Types of Jets - You'll find a wide variety of hydrojets. The common thread is that they all mix air with pressurized water to produce a massaging effect. You will need to look for the combination of jets that will feel best on your body.

Jet Placement - This is a critical point that many spa shoppers neglect until it's too late. When you are sitting comfortably in each seat, the jet stream(s) should impact your body's major muscle groups-not your bones. Make sure the spa features jets positioned to massage the area(s) where your muscles are typically the most tense or fatigued.

Adjustability - The better spas and hot tubs have features that allow you to customize the massage by regulating the amount of air and/or water supplied to either individual jets or groups of jets. Restricting or turning off the water flow to some of the spa jets makes the pressure from the remaining spa jets stronger for a more forceful massage.

Air Bubbler Systems - Many spas and hot tubs feature a blower that produces air bubbles from fittings throughout the spa to gently caress the body. While it is certainly not an essential feature, many people enjoy the sensation.

RELIABILITY

If you are like most people, you are probably interested in finding a hot tub that will perform reliably over time with a minimum of downtime and repair costs. This means you will look for a hot tub that is carefully made with quality components and materials and buy it from a dealer with a reputation for outstanding service.

It can be difficult to determine these things, but here are some tips:

Look carefully at the fit and finish of the hot tub. If the superficial things are sloppy, chances are that the things you can't see are, too.
Check the location of the spa's key components. If something breaks down, the easier the access, the easier it will be to repair or replace.
Ask for the name and phone number of two or three customers. Call them and ask what their experience has been with their hot tub and the dealer.

EASE OF MAINTENANCE

Because the spa's components typically require no maintenance, you will only need to be concerned with the following:

Water Quality - You will use chemicals and other additives recommended by your spa dealer to keep the water sanitized and chemically balanced. Ozone generators can be installed to reduce the amount of chemical sanitizers needed.

Corona Discharge (CD) ozone generators, although more expensive than ultraviolet (UV) ozone generators, yield higher concentrations of ozone for greater effectiveness and are less costly to maintain. For example, with UV systems, you will need to buy a new lamp and have it installed about every two to three years, while the CD system will simply require cell cleaning with about the same frequency.

Automatic Filtering & Heating - Today's "premium" spas and hot tubs feature small circulation pumps that continuously filter the water and provide the necessary flow to allow the heater to constantly maintain the set temperature. This continuous operation also means that ozone is always being mixed with the water. This is important because ozone dissipates rapidly and does not remain in the water after the system turns off.

Hot tubs without circulation pumps rely on the low speed of a two-speed pump turning on periodically to provide filtration, ozone injection and the flow required for heating. On these hot tubs, this periodic operation is typically controlled by a built-in programmable timer, by the hot tub's thermostat or both.

Keeping the Filter Clean - Filters in portable spas are designed to be rinsed and reused a number of times before replacing. Check to see how easy it is to remove and replace the filter in any spa you are considering. Smaller filters need to be cleaned more frequently, but larger filters take up more of the spa's useable interior space.

Exterior Appearance - Most hot tubs feature a wood cabinet which will tend to weather over time. Refreshing its appearance requires a light sanding and application of a stain containing wood preservatives. The cover's vinyl needs to be cleaned periodically with mild soap and water and treated with a vinyl conditioner.

Many manufacturers have begun offering cabinets with side panels made from synthetic materials. Many of these look like real wood, while some look like...well, plastic. The big advantage is that these require much less maintenance time and effort. If you are considering a hot tub with a synthetic wood cabinet, make sure you are satisfied with the appearance, as it will look the same for a long time. Also, check the cabinet's warranty closely. You'll want to make sure you're covered in case it doesn't hold up like it should.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Your spa's operating cost will be determined, primarily, by its ability to retain heat. This is because the heater is by far the most energy-consuming component in the spa. Virtually every self-contained spa is designed to maintain a constant temperature-with the heater turning on as needed. Spas that perform best at preventing heat from escaping will cost the least to operate.

Because heat rises, the most important factor in trapping heat is the spa cover. Most consist of two slabs of polystyrene foam encased in vinyl. Check to make sure the cover seals uniformly against the top rim of the spa and at the place where the two halves come together.

Ensure that the spa features effective insulation for the shell and plumbing. The less chance there is for cold air to cool your water, the lower your electric bill will be.

SAFETY

Check to be sure that the hot tub you are considering is listed by a recognized independent testing agency such as UL or ETL.
Make sure the spa cover comes with a means of locking it securely to the spa to prevent unauthorized use.
Use a qualified electrician to connect the electrical service to the spa.
After you get your hot tub, be sure to heed the warnings about use by small children, pregnant women, people with certain health conditions and people under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

EXTRAS

Once you are satisfied that a particular hot tub meets your needs in the categories outlined above, you may want to consider other features that can add to your enjoyment (and, in some cases, also add to future repair costs). There is, seemingly, no limit to the features that fall into this category-fancy lighting, waterfalls, misters, aromatherapy, built-in stereos, televisions, even Internet access! When looking at add-ons such as these, carefully consider the real benefit you will actually derive from them. If you feel that one or more of these will be of real value to you, and you believe that the price is fair and the quality is good, then go for it!