What You Need to Know Before Buying a Spa
Ready to buy a hot tub, but you aren’t sure where to start? We can help!
You already know it’s amazing to soak in a hot tub, and you may already know what you want your hot tub to look like. But do you know all the facts to make an informed decision? How about your budget? Types of hot tubs? Comparison shopping?
In this article, we look at what you need to know before buying a spa.
How to Read Hot Tub Specifications
As you look at hot tubs, you want to consider your budget and needs. Quite often, people see a hot tub that seems like a great deal, but when they really start looking at the specifications, they realize it’s not really.
You’ll find that most manufacturers list specifications on their websites, so you can easily compare models. It can be hard to compare, though, if you aren’t quite sure what they all mean. Let’s consider the following Hot Spring Spa Grandee Specs.
Hot Spring Grandee® Specs |
|
|---|---|
| Seats | 7 |
| Dimensions | 8’4″ x 7’7″ x 38″ |
| Total Jets | 43 |
| Water Capacity | 450 gallons |
| Pumps | Wavemaster 9200: two-speed, 2.5 continuous-duty HP. Wavemaster 9000: one-speed, 2.5 continuous-duty HP |
| Wattage | 230 volts at 50 amps. |
| Heater | No-Fault® 4000-watt 230-volt heater |
Now, let’s look at how to use those specs to see if a hot tub is the right one for you.
Seats
How many people will use your hot tub? If you want room for friends and family, the Grandee is perfect with seven seats.
To decide on how big a spa you need, decide how many people will use your hot tub every day. Then, consider how often you invite others over for a soak.
Do be aware that the more people your spa holds, the more expensive it gets.
Dimensions
This goes right along with the number of seats. Yet, you may find some spas like the Vanguard and Aria have the same dimensions, but one spa has six seats and the other has five.
You want to compare spaciousness as well. Height is also important, especially if you have tall soakers.
Number of Jets
First, it’s good to know that more doesn’t always mean better.
What is really important is the positioning of the jets and their design. This is where your hydromassage experience can really shine.
We can really help you with this when you stop by one of our stores.
Water Capacity
The larger the hot tub, the more water it holds.
You want to be aware of this. Why? Twice a year you will want to drain and refill your hot tub. There is a cost to this, so you can budget this in when choosing your hot tub size. The Grandee above holds 450 gallons, which is on the larger side of capacity.
Pumps
The pumps determine the pressure behind your jets.
This pressure is vital when you want to use your spa for pain relief and better health. The Grandee pumps deliver 4.5 continuous-duty horsepower, which is more than enough to provide strong pressure to each of its 43 jets.
That’s a whopping 10.5% of one horsepower per jet. When looking at other hot tubs, use this as a baseline for comparison.
Wattage
You determine this by multiplying volts by amps. But what does this really mean for your hot tub, and why should you care?
The higher the wattage, the more electricity your hot tub requires. In addition, the higher the wattage, the more efficiently your hot tub heats the water. You’ll want to know the wattage to know your electrical needs for your new hot tub.
Hot Tub Heater
This is quite important as this is what provides you the hot water in hot water hydrotherapy. While a high-voltage spa takes more energy to run than a low-voltage spa, it won’t need to run as long to heat the water to your ideal temperature.
Less powerful heaters will work more and work harder, so always factor in how often you plan to use your spa when comparing models.
Now let’s look at a few more important hot tub buying stats.
There are roughly 5.8 million hot tubs in U.S. households today, which is not a huge surprise given that a high-quality hot tub can last 20 years or more. Most of these hot tubs belong to families in single-family detached residences, although a few exist in condominiums and apartments. The most common type of hot tub is an above-ground spa with an acrylic shell. Above-ground hot tubs sit on level pads and are often surrounded by a wood or synthetic cabinet.
Additional statistics below will paint a picture of what you can expect as a hot tub owner in terms of purchase price, average installation and operation costs, benefits, and safety. Let’s jump right in!
The Average Monthly Electricity Cost
Generally, hot tubs average around $10-$20 per month to run.
It is worth noting that running a hot tub in the winter than in the summer costs more. And it costs more to run a larger hot tub than a smaller one.
The more you use your hot tub, the more energy it requires. With a Hot Spring Spa, you can count on energy efficiency that’s unparalleled in the United States.
You can learn more with the Hot Spring Spa efficiency calculator.
The Average Water Care Cost
The basic level of hot tub water care (using bottled chemicals) costs around $20 per month. Upgrading to a water care system raises the cost slightly but reduces the need for chlorine and saves you time on water maintenance.
We love the Hot Spring FreshWater® Salt System. It creates water cleaners from salt, also reducing the need for chemical additives. These systems cost more upfront, but they can significantly reduce monthly costs and water maintenance time.
What are the Health Benefits?
There are so many health benefits!
- You get better sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, around 132 million Americans suffer from some type of sleep disorder at least one night per week. If you have trouble sleeping, your hot tub can help. Soaking for 15 minutes about an hour and a half before bedtime causes your body temp to drop as you cool down from your soak. This helps ease you into a deep slumber.
- Your mobility improves. Hot tubs relax you as your body presses against the warm water. As it does, the water presses back, lifting you. The buoyancy of spas can temporarily alleviate symptoms of arthritis, including swelling, pain, and stiffness, and aid in joint motion and function. Always consult your physician for health advice before soaking for arthritis.
- You can make deeper connections. You may notice your hot tub becomes a place to gather with family and friends, nurturing your relationships. Spending quality time together, simply talking, or just relaxing far away from technology and the pressures of work can become a welcome routine enjoyed by all.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have some info on what you need to know before buying a spa, your next step is to visit with one of our amazing sales team members.
They are uniquely qualified to help you pick the right spa for your budget, needs, and backyard! Contact us today!
