Hot Tub Buying Guide

What's in a name?

The names spa, whirlpool bath, Jacuzzi and hot tub describe four different products with slightly different functions. Spas and hot tubs are the most closely related. A spa is an acrylic tub with molded seats used outdoors on a patio or deck. A hot tub is an outdoor tub with bench seating made of sturdy wood, like cedar, sometimes with an acrylic liner. Both feature soothing jets, temperature controls and a wide range of optional perks that personalize the experience. These types of hot tubs hold their water just like a swimming pool, and you need to use pool chemicals to keep bacteria from building up.

A whirlpool bath is a tub with jets that provide a soothing water massage. Whirlpool baths require minimal upkeep since the water is drained after each use. Whirlpool baths can be installed in your bathroom, and they’re built for use by one or perhaps two people, as opposed to spas and hot tubs that can hold a small group.

Costs and features

Hot tubs range from about $2,500 to $20,000. Cost is dictated not only by extras, but on the quality of construction. An average quality hot tub will cost between $4,500 and $7,000.

Start by comparing the shells on hot tubs, which hold water and people. Look for nonporous surfaces that don’t give bacteria a place to hide and a quality sealant that resists cracks and blisters. The best hot tub shells have the longest warranties.

For a freestanding hot tub, consider the materials that form the enclosure. Wood is a popular choice, but you’ll need to treat it with water sealant about every two years. Plastic or acrylic enclosures are virtually maintenance free, but some of these may become brittle in extreme cold.

Insulation is a major consideration whether you’re buying an indoor or outdoor unit. Insulation is measured with an R-factor, which measures the resistance to heat loss. Better hot tub insulation will keep your electricity costs at a minimum. Avoid a hot tub that touts “full foam” insulation, which indicates the foam has been blown all over the lines and jets. These hot tubs have a higher R-factor, but they’re also much more expensive to repair, because the foam must first be scraped away from parts, then refilled. Removable insulation with a high R-factor is a better choice.

Hot tub extras

The number of jets can boost the price of your hot tub. More isn't always better. The quality, type, orientation and plumbing system are more important factors. A hot tub with cheap jets compensates with larger, energy-wasting motors to overcome friction loss. Many people find excessive jets uncomfortable.

Fancy seating arrangements can make your hot tub feel more crowded. Molded lounge style chairs are quite comfy, but check the orientation and power of jets so you’re not thrown from your seat.

Lighting is another important consideration. There are a number of hot tub options that will provide mood and ambiance, but it’s best to start with a safe, subtle level of lighting so you won’t be left sitting in a dark, wet place.

The most popular standard features make your tub easy to maintain, such as cover lifts, chemical storage cabinets and automatic water purifiers. Towel warmers are a good feature for an outdoor hot tub that you’ll use in cold weather. On average, a quality hot tub will last up to 20 years with minimal service and repair.

Keep it covered

An outdoor hot tub needs a cover to protect it from the elements, to keep children and animals out and to reduce heat loss. Consider a cover that can be secured with padlocks to deter children and to prevent unauthorized access while you’re away. A hot tub cover with four locks—one at each corner—offers the greatest peace of mind.

Compare the foam thickness of hot tub covers. Thick foam withstands more weight, an important factor for an outdoor unit that will be exposed to elements. Look for an all-season cover with tapered edges for superior drainage and a high load capacity for accumulating snow.

Foam density, measured by pounds per square inch, is important for insulating your hot tub and retaining heat. Lower-poundage foam cells are more open, which results in a hot tub cover with a lower weight capacity and a tendency to get waterlogged. For maximum life, choose a hot tub cover with a top surface made of marine-grade vinyl treated with UV and mildew inhibitors.

Scrim inside the cover protects the foam core from moisture. The cheapest option is mesh, but a better choice is a cover with a reflective, water-repellent scrim that helps to keep water warm, saving on energy costs. In variable climates, consider a solar or thermal cover that reduces condensation which can eat away at the scrim over time. Finally, invest in a spa cover cap, which is a tarp that protects your cover during the winter months.

Keep it clean

Maintaining clean water is essential to prevent bacteria from forming and to extend a hot tub’s life. Expect to spend 15 minutes a week to clean filters and maintain water chemistry and one hour every three or four months to drain and refill a hot tub. In addition to a pump and filter, you’ll need bromine, chlorine and mineral sanitizers supplemented by UV sterilization and an ion generator (or spa ionizer).

If only chlorine is used to treat your spa water, you will need an algaecide. You will need to occasionally “shock” your tub water to remove that stubborn “ring around the tub” using either potassium monopersulfate (nonchlorine shock) or a large dose of granulated chlorine.

Tubs will come with maintenance instructions, and each one has its own recipe for success. In general, the key to the chemistry of hot tub water maintenance is keeping the pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness within acceptable margins. Be diligent, as a poor chemical balance can corrode your hot tub’s plumbing, resulting in a costly repair bill.

Need to know more?

• Hot Tub FAQs
  http://www.hottubsource.com/faqs/
• Install a Backyard Hot Tub
  http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/gardening/1273601.html?page=2
• Cleaning and Maintaining a Hot Tub
  http://www.hottubguide.com/AfterBuying/AfterBuying.shtml