When it comes to hot tub installation, we often get asked questions about location. How far away from the house does a hot tub need to be? There are several variables that will play a role in the proximity of a hot tub to a nearby structure. In this article, we’ll cover a few of the considerations that should be kept in mind when choosing a placement for a hot tub installation.
Proximity to Power
One of the reasons to have your hot tub close to your house is to make it easy to plug it in. Plug and play, 110 volt hot tubs can be plugged into GFCI protected, three prong outlet on the outside (or inside, for indoor hot tubs) of your house. Placing the hot tub close enough to an electrical outlet so that there’s no need to use an extension cord and there’s no risk of tripping over the cable is one of many reasons to place your hot tub close to the house. A 220 volt, hardwired hot tub requires the installation of a GFCI circuit breaker which may actually give you more flexibility when it comes to locating your hot tub. Since the circuit will need to be installed by an electrician, you should have some say over where the circuit is located.
Proximity to a Water Source
Hot tubs are closed systems. Once you fill it up with water, that same quantity of water is simply recirculated until you drain the hot tub and refill it with fresh water. You’ll find that you need to drain and refill your hot tub several times a year. This will allow for deep cleaning and ensure your bathing water is clean and safe. Being able to fill up your hot tub easily with a garden hose will make it less likely that you’ll put off this necessary process. Since most outdoor taps are attached to the outside of the house, you’ll want to place your hot tub close enough that a garden hose reaches the hot tub easily.
Proximity to a Drain
You’ll also need to know where all the water in the hot tub is going when it comes time to empty it. Ideally, you can pump it directly into a drain. Hot tubs contain several hundred gallons of water and you don’t want that pooling around the foundation of your house. That could cause flooding and structural issues. You also want to ensure that any splashes or spills from your hot tub don’t affect your house. Placing your hot tub far enough away from your house so that you don’t have to worry about water damage will save you a lot of stress.
Proximity to Overhead Dangers
When deciding how close to the house you’re installing the hot tub, take a look upwards. Will the hot tub be affected by rainwater or snow falling off your roof? Is there any chance that icicles will form and fall into the hot tub? Are there power lines that run from the house and over the hot tub? Are you too close to trees that will shed leaves, pollen or bird droppings into the hot tub? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, your hot tub might be too close to the house.
Proximity to Warmth
One reason that you don’t want your hot tub to be too far from your house is the journey between the two. When the weather is poor, running from the warmth of your house to the warmth of the hot tub can seem unthinkable. It may even affect how often you use your hot tub. As long as issues such as power, drainage, water supply and overhead danger are taken care of, installing your hot tub closer to your house will provide a more comfortable situation.
Hopefully, this gives you a better idea of how far away from the house a hot tub should be. For more information, download a free buyer’s guide.