If you’ve decided to buy a hot tub, we want to congratulate you! It won’t be long before you’re soaking in the warm and relaxing waters that hot tubs are well known for. If you’ve never bought a hot tub before, you may feel like you’ve stepped into a world that has little to no bearing on the one you come from. There’s no doubt that hot tub aficionados are a different breed and we’re quite proud of it! Getting yourself up to speed on the lingo and the possibilities of hot tub ownership will make your buying decisions less fraught with confusion and worry. To help you understand what to know before buying a hot tub for the first time, we’ve put together this article.
Permanence
How permanent do you want your hot tub to be? If you’re a renter or your job tends to make you move around quite a bit, you probably shouldn’t invest in a permanent in-ground hot tub. Not only are they far more expensive, but the possibility of taking it with you when you move is slim to none. At the other end of the spectrum is the inflatable hot tub. Not only are they much more economical, they’re the easiest model to pack up and take to another location when the time comes. Although, the reduced cost and more delicate construction generally means that it won’t last as long as more permanent models. The middle ground between these two contrasts is the portable hot tub. That said, portable hot tubs are much more durable, sturdy and difficult to move than the name suggests. They’re typically composed of an acrylic shell surrounded by a heavy duty wooden frame. The entire unit can weigh up to a thousand pounds or more and that’s before it’s filled with water and people. Assess your living situation and size up the ideal hot tub accordingly.
Hot Tub Care
Although you couldn’t be blamed if you’d just rather spend all your time soaking in the hot tub, you’ll need to allot some time for hot tub maintenance and care. Keeping the water fresh and clean will need to be your top priority. Allowing the water purity to deteriorate could lead to serious health problems. Fortunately, hot tub care procedures easily fit into a cyclical routine. Once you get used to the various tasks as they come round, you’ll find maintaining your hot tub doesn’t take much time at all. Keeping an eye on the water chemistry by performing weekly tests will let you know if you need to add chemicals to keep it in balance. You’ll need to spray down your filter cartridges with fresh water every month or so and you’ll have to give the inside of the tub a good deep cleaning every three or four months. As long as you stay on top of these simple procedures, the hot tub water should remain clean and safe.
Power
When it comes to powering a hot tub there are two main types: 110 Volt plug and play models and 220 Volt hardwired models. Plug and play hot tubs are revered for their convenience. They can be plugged into a GFCI protected three pronged electrical outlet. Hardwired models will require the services of an electrician during the installation process. That said, the reduced power draw of the plug and play models means that you can’t maximize the water jets and the water heater at the same time. If you want to heat the water, you’ll need to turn the water jets down low. If you want full water jet action, the water temperature will eventually begin to fall. Whether this is a concern or not will really depend on your preferences. However, it’s something you should decide upon before you make your purchase.
Now that you’ve learned what to know before buying a hot tub, download a free buyer’s guide today.