Hot tub frequently asked Questions

Hot Tub Frequently Asked Questions

For many consumers, purchasing a hot tub (or spa) is a "once in a lifetime" event. The current spa market in the United States and Canada has over 100 manufacturers offering more than 1,500 spa models, many of which look virtually identical. Unfortunately, the UK market is rapidly moving the same way with a multitude of different makes and features available.

Below you will find "Informed Buyer" questions. The answers to these questions will help you evaluate spa features and determine which product provides the best value for you and your family.

What is the difference between a spa, hot tub, Jacuzzi and whirlpool?

What is hydrotherapy?

Why should I consider wet testing a spa before buying?

What is the difference between an air injector and a jet?

frequently asked questions about hot tubs Why are jets adjustable?

What is the difference between a therapy seat, a hot seat and a cool down seat?

How long does a spa take to heat?

How is the temperature controlled?

How much does a spa cost to run?

How often do I drain the water to clean the spa?

How heavy is a spa?

Can a spa be installed inside?

Do I need to install plumbing?

Why are chemicals necessary to treat the water?

How do I treat the water?

Why shouldn't softened water be used in the spa?

Are hot tubs only for use in the spring/summer?

Also have a look at our guide on how to choose a hot tub.

What is the difference between a spa, hot tub, Jacuzzi and whirlpool?

The word "spa" is commonly used to describe any one of a number of jetted, heated, water-filled tubs. Frequently, the words "spa" and hot tub" are used interchangeably. Quality hot tubs are made of wood or a good synthetic wood substitute, with a fibreglass or acrylic liner set inside. Acrylic liners are far more durable and provide longer life. Hot tubs provide massage via a number of jets, the type and placement of the jets being crucial to the quality of the massage. Good ones also provide comfortable contoured seating. Hot tubs are not drained after each use, instead the hot water is preserved and chemicals are used to maintain water purity. They are filled via a hose pipe and do not need to be plumbed in.

A "whirlpool" refers to a relatively gentle circular water action provided on many quality hot tubs separately to the massage jets.

"Jacuzzi" is not a generic name for spas. Jacuzzi is a company that makes, amongst other things, whirlpool baths and hot tubs.

What is hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy is the combined effect of heat, massage and buoyancy. Warm water dilates blood vessels, increasing blood flow to sore or damaged tissues, allowing oxygen and nutrients to help overworked muscles recover faster. Massage, provided by the spa's jet system, relaxes tense muscles and relieves pressure on surrounding nerves. Massage also improves circulation and accelerates the body's natural healing process. Buoyancy reduces your body's weight by 90%. This relieves pressure on strained joints and muscles. Hydrotherapy is widely recognized as an effective method of alleviating the tension commonly associated with stress.

Why should I consider wet testing a spa before buying?

One of the most important things about a hot tub is that you find it comfortable to sit in. For this reason you should seriously consider "wet testing" a spa before purchasing an expensive model. This means getting into a spa with water in it. All reputable spa dealers maintain filled demonstration models just for this purpose. At Splash Spas we have at least 3 models available to test at any one time.

Of course many people do not feel comfortable wet testing in a dealers showroom and we sell a huge number of low cost hot tubs over the internet without ever meeting our customers. How do those customers know that the hot tubs are comfortable? Well the simple answer is that they have to take our word for it! We try out all the tubs ourselves and we are always happy to provide detailed measurements of any part of the tub if requested.

If you do decide to "wet test" a spa here is what you should look for: Verify that the seats provide lumbar support. You do not want to find you slide down in the spa like you probably do in the bath. When sitting in any seat, the water should reach at least shoulder level. If it does not, you will not get full hydrotherapeutic value. Lean your head back against the pillows. Make sure you do not have to hyperextend your neck to rest your head. If the spa has a Lounge Seat, make sure it is deep enough to keep you in the seat. If you float in the Lounge Seat it is virtually useless for hydrotherapy and relaxation. Take notice of the alignment of any fixed jets. Make sure they are massaging muscle tissue and not bone or your spine. Pay attention to how quietly or noisily the spa operates. Can you hold a conversation in a normal voice when the jets are operating? How convenient are the controls to use when you are seated in the spa?

Stay in your preferred spa with the jets on for at least 15 minutes. At the end of that time you will know whether the seating and jet arrangement is truly comfortable.

What is the difference between an air injector and a jet?

As you look at hot tubs you'll find a wide variety of different jets. The common thread is that they are located throughout a spa and they all mix air with pressurized water to produce a massaging effect. Many jets are interchangeable and often adjustable so the spa bather can customize his/her massage.

Air injectors are not massage jets, although they are often described as such. They are generally located in the seat areas and, when activated, create a turbulent bubbling or boiling action which is pleasant, but does not provide a massage. If the tub you are looking at seems to have a lot of jets for the money check that they are indeed massage jets and not just air injectors.

Why are jets adjustable?

Real, beneficial hydrotherapy is directly related to being able to adjust each jet where it is needed. This is the standard by which physical therapy and athletic hydrotherapy systems are judged. A common point of consumer confusion is introduced when manufacturers load up a spa with lots of inexpensive, non-adjustable, stationary jets. It doesn't make any difference how many jets a spa has if they are not properly located and plumbed to provide the correct balance of water, air and power.

What is the difference between a therapy seat, a hot seat and a cool down seat?

Therapy seats are equipped with jets and are designed to provide a body massage. Therapy seats vary greatly in the number and type of jets. The best seats will provide simultaneous massage to the neck, back, shoulders, arms, thighs, knees, calves and feet.

Hot seats are simply seats in the spa that do not have any dedicated jets.

Cool down seats are at a higher level and enable the user to get part of his or her body out of the water to cool down. they also often conveniently serve as a step to get in and out of the tub.

How long does a spa take to heat?

With a 3 kw heater it will take about 12 hours to get the water from the garden hose to about 38oC. But it will depend on the insulation and size of your spa.

How is the temperature controlled?

Most quality spas have relatively sophisticated digital thermostatic controls. These highly reliable modern systems are capable of keeping the spa water within 1 degree of any temperature you select. While this is important for comfort, it is also important for safety. You should pay particular attention to the control system if you have children who will be using the spa. Better systems have safety locks and digital readouts. A good indicator of the control system's quality is to read and compare manufacturer's warranties.

Virtually all models sold in the UK are heated by electricity. They can be equipped with various heaters ranging in kilowatt power (usually from 1.5kw to as much as 12kw). Obviously, the higher the power of your heater, the faster your spa will heat up from a cold. Any size heater will be able to maintain the normal desired heat range, but not all spas are able to operate the heater and the pump(s) at the same time and so when using one of these spas in a cool ambient temperature the water temperature will drop during use.

How much does a spa cost to run?

The cost is dependent on a lot of factors, such as the cost of electricity, the ambient temperature and exposure to wind, how often you use your spa, the rating of your pump(s) and heater and how much you pay for your chemicals. However, if you budget for between 50p and £1 a day you won't be far out.

How often do I drain the water to clean the spa?

We recommend draining and cleaning your spa no more than 3 or 4 times per year, depending on how frequently you use it and how well you maintain your water All good spas have a bottom drain that you can attach a garden hose to to remove the water.

How heavy is a spa?

Unless you decide to purchase a very large spa, most units on the market will not cause your floor to fall in. In fact, a spa actually exerts less stress per square foot on a floor than your refrigerator or even a 55 gallon fish tank! Because the weight is spread out over a large surface area, most modern construction will support the average spa with no trouble. However, if you are in doubt and particularly if you are installing your spa inside, it is best to consult with a structural engineer before installing your spa.

Can a spa be installed inside?

A spa can be installed indoors or outdoors, although over 90%, including those in cold weather climates, are installed outdoors. The two main considerations for installing a spa indoors are: will it fit through the door and is the structural strength of the flooring adequate. You should also consider whether you are likely to need a dehumidifier in the room.

Do I need to install plumbing?

No. All above-ground portable spas are filled with water using a garden hose.

Why are chemicals necessary to treat the water?

Many factors can affect the health of your spa – and the people in it. The warmth and moisture offer an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, algae and fungi. They can spread disease and infection to humans. Improper water balance can also lead to skin/eye irritation, equipment corrosion, staining and scaling of the surface and equipment.

While some salespeople may try to convince you that they can sell you a "chemical-free" spa, professional retailers and manufacturers most often recommend the use of ozone purification in conjunction with chemical products developed specifically for spas. Splash Spas recommended range of products for the care and maintenance of our spas are from the SpaGuard Spa Care System from BioLab, although many other good products are available.

Never forget that manufacturers may not warrant their product if proper water balance has not been maintained.

How do I treat the water?

Maintenance procedures are not difficult and knowledgeable retailers will provide the start-up kit and instructions you need. Water balance has three main factors, pH, Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness which can all be monitored easily through the use of simple test kits. Have a look at our spa water balancing guide if you want to know the details. By following the procedures contained in the guide it is easy to:

Keep your spa water protected from bacteria.
Keep your spa water clear and comfortable.
Protect your investment in your spa and equipment.

Why shouldn't softened water be used in the spa?

Soft water can be acidic and deficient in mineral salts which can result in corrosion to the spa equipment and introduce products of metal corrosion in the water. The result will be damaged equipment, discoloured water and brown or green deposits on the spa surface. On the other hand, very hard water can be alkaline and high in mineral salts which may result in scale deposits or cloudy water in the spa. However this will not cause lasting damage to the spa or equipment and can easily be treated by use of inexpensive products. Therefore, the use of hard water is always preferable to artificially softened water.

Are hot tubs only for use in the spring/summer ?

No, most definitely not. The use of hot tubs is most popular in North America and Scandinavia when the outside air temperature is often sub-zero. In fact, research has shown that the therapeutic effects of a hot tub are greatest when the outside temperature is significantly lower than the water temperature. This means that the best time of year to use a spa is actually in the autumn or winter!

Frequently Asked Questions about Hot Tubs

Hot Tub Frequently Asked Questions