| See
also Chemical FAQs:
Question:
Spa or hot tub?
Answer:
I prefer to call them hot tubs.
A spa is wear you get a facial, and your nails done.
Question:
Full-foam vs. non full-foam insulation?
Answer:
(Quoted from a manufacturer)
Full-foam insulation is the process where the cavity
of the hot tub between the shell and cabinet sub floor
is completely filled with a thick, rigid foam. What
are its benefits? In short: (1)structural integrity,
(2)energy efficiency and (3)noise reduction. Some companies
say non full-foam hot tubs are "as good" or
"better engineered" than full-foam hot tubs.
Who's telling the truth? Over the past 30 years, industry
leaders have realized that without full-foam, the weight
of the water resting in the plumbing lines, as well
as the water hammer effect (from today's high-performance
pumps) could eventually cause leaks in the lines and
fittings. Did you know that there can be as much as
600 feet of plumbing lines in just one hot tub? Full-foam
helps support these lines and fittings firmly in place.
The foam used to fill and support the lines is generally
two different types: very strong, high-density foam
around the cabinet, fittings, and shell, plus a somewhat
lower-density foam to completely fill the balance of
the open cavity. The number one reason why 70 percent
of leading hot tub manufacturers in the world use full-foam
is to increase structural integrity and support plumbing
lines and glued fittings, which in turn prevents leaking.
The second reason (and added benefit) of full-foam is
heat retention. Using insulation in the hot tub structure
reduces heat transfer from the water to the outside
Ñ reducing the time it takes to heat and maintain water
temperature as well as the cost of electrical heating.
A well-insulated, energy- efficient hot tub designed
to eliminate heat loss and drive down operational cost
saves consumers money. It's that simple! Noise reduction
is another benefit. Do you need to hear the sounds of
water passing through the plumbing? Wasn't one of the
reasons for purchasing a hot tub to sit back and relax
in a more tranquil atmosphere? Of course it was. Non-full-foamed
hot tubs allow the plumbing lines to flex and sag. Why?
Because they are full of water! Only 6 feet of 2-inch
plumbing full of water weighs 20 lb.. Without the structural
support of full-foam, the probability of a leak is increased!
Manufacturers that do not full-foam can produce amazing
stories to make you believe that their construction
method is the right one, or even superior. They want
you to believe that having an "open air hot space"
in the cavity gives better heat retention in cold climates!
If this was true, why fully insulate the walls of your
house? In extreme northern climates, home builders use
2 x 6 framed walls to allow for extra-thick insulation.
Second, they want you to believe that if your hot tub
is full-foamed, you won't be able to fix a leak in the
unlikely event that one does occur. If so, why fully
insulate the walls of your kitchen and bathroom where
there is plumbing that may one day need repairs? Some
manufacturers that don't full-foam would also have you
believe that so much heat is captured by the hot tub's
motor (mounted inside the open - air hot space) that
it can keep the hot tub at 104 F even with an outside
ambient temperature of -40 F with no heater at all!
If so, what happens when it's 90 F outside? Your hot
tub would overheat and you would not be able to control
the unregulated temperature. If any of this was true,
safety measurement companies like UL and CSA would have
something to say about it. For manufacturers, there
is one drawback to a full-foamed hot tub: it costs much
more to make because of added material and labor costs.
Gary says:
(1) Structural support?
If you engineer the hydraulics correctly, there is nothing
that has to be supported. For example,
(2) Energy efficiency
is better gained by using the examples given of a house:
insulate the walls AND using circulation pumps with
5.5kW heaters all powered at 240 Volts
(3) Noise reduction is
better gained by NOT using a high horse power main pump
to drive the heater. Using a low power circulation pump
allows users to actual have a conversation even while
the heat is being maintained.
(4) Okay, you are covered
for leaks while it's under warranty. Good luck finding
a repairman to fix a full-foam leaker out of warranty.
I will not, and that is the trend here in Central Ohio.
I will however take it as a trade in at a diminished
value.
Question:
Are there Health Benefits of a Hot tub?
Answer:
Definitely! I have a long time
customer that has Parkinson's, he e-mail me after I
installed his new hot tub and stated that it was very
beneficial to him. My Father-in-law had a knee replaced
and the other should be. He tells me that it completely
turns his day around once he gets in his. After a long
day of fixing hot tubs in awkward positions, all I have
to do is soak in my hot tub for 20 minutes at 101 and
I am good as new.
Question:
Is plumbing required to install
my hot tub?
Answer:
No. Modern hot tubs are self-contained
and you fill them with a garden hose.
Question:
Do I need a an electrician to
install my hot tub?
Answer:
Yes. A licensed electrician will
be needed to wire your house for the hot tub's main
power supply, and do so according to electrical codes.
Question:
Are hot tubs expensive to operate?
Answer:
electric will cost you .75 to
$1.50 per day hooked up to 240 volt power supply.
Question:
What type of hot tub should
I look for?
Answer:
As for shape, I recommend you
mimic the shape of your kitchen table. Some folks prefer
round because it allows everyone to to face each other,
plus you can sit with your arm around your loved one.
Some prefer square for their lounger seats.
As with everything else,
you get what you pay for.
What kind of filtration
is best? Weir gate filtration is superior to pressurized
canister filtration. Wier filtration gets the floating
stuff like body oils and scum and remove them from the
main body of water for easy cleaning. Pressure filter
make no provisions for floating oils etc. In both types
of filtration systems, larger stuff like the stuff that
sticks to your feet as you get in your hot tub should
be removed using a hot tub vacuum as needed. Pressure
canisters can crack at the canister itself and at the
lid. The locking rings can break not allowing pressurization.
The air bleeder can break off not allowing pressurization.
Lastly, the O-ring for the lid and bleeder needs replacement
often than you may think. Having to bleed the air out
of the filter at refills is a hassle. Ask for weir gate,
run away from pressure filters!!
Question:
How important is horsepower to
the hot tub?
Answer:
Hydrotherapy simply comes from hot moving water. That
water only needs to move over your body enough to keep
the warm sensation going. Your core temperature is 98.6
degrees, your skin temperature will be less, thus cooling
the hot water. Hydro massage is the jet action against
muscle. Jet placement and type will dictate your experience.
I have switched 5 horse power motors with 7 HP ones
and could NOT tell the difference. Which explains why
jets are only rated for 18-25 psi. Manufacturers use
water diverters to activate one seat or the other or
a split combination of the two.
Question:
How many jets should I have?
Answer:
Sit in the prospective hot tub
and see if the jets will cover the areas of you that
you want massaged.
Question:
How much should I spend on a
hot tub?
Answer:
Spend as much as you can afford.
Hot tubs do allow for some negotiation in the price.
Most dealerships will sweeten the deal with chemicals
and or accessories.
Question:
Is it difficult to maintain a
hot tub?
Answer:
No.
Question:
Do most hot tubs come with a
warranty?
Answer:
I would not buy a hot tub without
at least a 3 year warranty. Preferably a five year warranty.
Very rarely do manufactures cover the jet inserts or
pump seals, pillows and covers( or motors damaged by
leaking pump seals). They are considered a fair wear
out item, or due to poor water chemistry respectively.
Question:
I have an ozonator on my hot tub. Do I need to use a
sanitizer with it?
Answer:
Yes. Even though ozone is an effective oxidizer and
will even destroy microorganisms directly exposed to
the ozone, the ozone is relatively short lived in your
hot tub water. As such the ozone is not present in the
water for a sufficient length of time to assure adequate
sanitation of the entire tub and the surfaces and plumbing.
The use of an ozonator will reduce your consumption
of chlorine or bromine as it makes it easier to maintain
proper levels of these in the water it does not eliminate
their usefulness. (You will need to add OZ Tabs once
a month or so to help keep the water smelling fresh)
Question:
Can I submit a question of my own?
Answer:
Absolutely. Click here to
send me a question.
Question:
I just refilled my spa / hot tub and now it's not heating?
Answer:
1) Can you tell if the pump that normally comes on to
heat the hot tub is running, just not coming out of
the jet(s)? If so, you have air trapped in the lines
"air lock". Try removing the filter, and alternating
the pump from low speed to low speed a couple times.
If that does not take care of it e-mail me for specifics
on how to prime your pump.
2) If the pump does not come on, but everything else
seems to work check the fuse for the pump. if that's
good, then you will need to schedule a service call
with a dealership or service company 3) Is the heater
'on' indicator light lit, but it does not seem to be
heating? Again, you should call a dealership or service
company for an appointment.
Question:
How long should it take to heat my spa / hot tub?
Answer:
A hot tub connected via a 110 Volt GFI cord will typically
take 24 hours to heat up to operating temperature. A
240 Volt will up by 8-10 degrees per hour. So, depending
on if the manufacturer used 4.0 kW or 5.5 kW elements,
you will be hot tubbing in 5 to 4 hours respectively.
240 Volts also is more efficient and will add .75 to
a dollar per day to your bill. 110 Volts will cost you
50 to 75 percent more.
Question:
How do you decrease chlorine in a hot tub?
Answer:
Time, adding water or visiting you local aquarium store.
Chlorine will disapate over time, but with something
as large as a hot tub, you may want to drain and refill.
I know that you can get a 'de-chlore' product at aquaium
store. They may have larger bottles for things such
as ponds...
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Spa
/ Hot Tub Repair 
