Submitted by: J. Amos

When you first decide to buy a hot tub, you will be faced with a dizzying array of features, specifications, designs and accessories. It can be quite daunting to research all of these possibilities and determine the best configuration for your needs. The internet is a great tool for finding literally thousands of sources of information, but it can also add to the confusion by making it hard to know which sites offer objective insights and which sites are thinly masked sales pitches for a particular manufacturer.

Start With the Basics

The first step is in understanding the many different names you will read when looking for information about how to buy a hot tub. Here are some commonly used terms:

Home spa

generally made with an acrylic shell; surrounding cabinet may be made of wood or synthetic materials; can be used to describe an above ground, in-ground, indoor or outdoor spa.

Hot tub

name originally given to the earliest spas that were typically round, made of wood, and located outdoors; now is commonly used interchangeably with the phrase home spa .

Portable hot tub/portable home spa

name for any hot tub/home spa that is pre-assembled and sits above ground; actual size and features of a portable hot tub vary widely, from small tubs that weigh only a few hundred pounds and are quick to set up to large tubs that weigh several thousand pounds and require specific installation methods and electrical wiring.

Jacuzzi hot tub

Brand name Jacuzzi is a well-known manufacturer of home spa systems; jacuzzi is often used as a generic reference to any home spa or hot tub

Think About Your Needs

As you do more research into spas and hot tubs, you will find there are many sizes and features available. Here is just a partial list of common offerings:

Four to six person, six to eight person, eight to ten person sizes

Lounge, bench and therapy seats

Power, circulation, foot or therapy jets

Adjustable jets

Electronic or pneumatic controls

Water purification systems

Single or dual filtration systems

Ozonator systems

Automatic spa covers

Fountains

CD/stereo systems

As you can see, there are many options for configuring a home spa. Remember, though, that the best hot tubs do not necessarily have the most or the fanciest features. What is most important is that you select a spa that has the features best suited to your own needs and preferences.

Think About Costs

Cost is an important consideration when you decide to buy a hot tub. The initial investment can range from $3,000 up to $20,000, depending on the size, construction, and features of the spa you select. Just as important, though are the ongoing costs of operating a home spa.

Initial Cost

Understructure construction size of interior wood frame materials (2×4, 1×2, 2×3, etc.), pressure treated base

Insulation basic single layer polyurethane, low-density packaging foam, multi-layered high density foam

Cabinetry natural wood, synthetic wood, metal, removable walls, access panels

Shell construction quality and thickness of fiberglass, quality and reliability of the manufacturing process

Number/type of jets standard numbers of jets, customizable number of jets

Hot tub heater wattage, power used, speed of water heating

Controls electronic, single or dual, pneumatic, remote control

Number/type of pumps single, dual, or triple pumps

Electrical requirements 110v or 220v

Surface/pad requirements dirt, gravel, concrete

Accessories and extra features fountains, water features, CD/stereo, lights

Hot tub covers standard, custom, high-density, with or without automatic lifter

Delivery and/or installation costs shipping from distant supplier, delivery by local pool or spa supplier, labor to place spa in desired location, initial spa set up

Ongoing Costs of Operating a Hot Tub:

Chemicals what chemicals are recommended, where can they be purchased, how much do they cost, what quantity is likely to be needed

Filters capacity, recommended length of time between changes, price and availability of replacements

Electricity cost per kwh from your utility, features and insulation to conserve power and preserve heat

Water cost per gallon each time spa is filled, pH of water to determine quantity/type of chemicals needed

Repairs local repair technicians, accessibility to pumps and motors, warranty length and coverage

Upkeep and maintenance of cabinets and shell cleaning, staining, preservation

In general, it is better to put your money into some of the hidden features that will make your home spa last longer and cost less to operate. This includes things like effective insulation, quality heaters and pumps, good water filtration systems, and the like.

Think About Maintenance

Another important consideration when buying a hot tub or home spa is the maintenance that will be required. This includes not only any repairs that may be needed over time, but ongoing upkeep and maintenance to keep your tub clean and pleasant to use.

Here are some areas to consider:

Water maintenance is the chemical and filtration system robust enough to keep the water clean for the level of usage you anticipate? This will have a big impact on both regular water sanitation activities and the frequency of full water changes. Ideally, your spa should require minimal daily attention and a minimal number of time-consuming full water changes.

Cabinet maintenance if the cabinet is made of wood and the tub is located outdoors, plan to re-stain the wood at least once per year. If the cabinet is made of synthetic materials then periodic spraying with a hose and/or wiping off dirt is usually sufficient.

Repairs pumps wear out, heaters stop heating, and other mechanical problems inevitably come up. Read and understand the manufacturer s warranty before you buy, looking for key points like coverage of parts, labor and other materials. Also, look for hidden fees and other costs you may incur if, for example, a repair technician has to travel from out of town to get to your location or if the local supplier does not keep a specific part in stock. Some warranties even specify that certain types of warranty repairs must be done at the spa factory, requiring you to pay for shipping to and from the factory.

Summary

Buying a hot tub is an investment that should not be taken lightly. Take the time to research and gather information, and check out several different spa manufacturers. Careful shopping and selection of a home spa pays off in the end, though, as you end up with a home spa that can give you years of enjoyment.

About the Author: Julie Ann-Amos is a freelance writer for

hot-tubs-n-home-spas.com

, providing consumer information on hot tubs and spas, covers, heaters, spa enclosures and accessories.

Source:

isnare.com

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