Method of Insulation.
Imagine a $4000 spa that costs over $100 per month to operate, while a $6000 spa costs only $20 per month to operate. Why such a difference in operation costs? The methods of insulation. Of all the factors previously mentioned, nothing is more important than having the proper insulation in your hot tub. Sometimes paying more in the beginning for your hot tub will end up saving you significant amounts of money down the line.

Over 95% of spa manufacturers offer one of the following methods of insulation: basic insulation, full foam insulation, and layered insulation. We highly recommend looking for a spa with proper multi-layered insulation for cost efficiency and easy service. While full foam insulation provides great insulation, we feel that the problems those spas encounter with servicing outweighs its insulation benefits. When looking for a spa, look for insulation with a high R-value that is installed behind all four walls of the cabinet, as well as the base. Click here to learn more about insulation

Built-In Energy Saving Features.
There are many different features offered on today’s hot tubs that can save on the cost of operation. The following are some features to look for in your hot tub:

Economy Mode Operation.
This feature, regulated by the control panel, lowers the water temperature when the spa is not in use, reducing the cost of operation by up to 20%.

Automatic Shut Off.
This control panel feature turns off the spa’s pumps, blowers, and lights within a set amount of time if and when you forget. This not only saves on operation costs, but also helps to extend the life of your equipment.

Diagnostic Fault Display.
This control panel feature acts as a troubleshooter for your spa, often allowing you to solve many problems over the phone. This can eliminate the need for costly service calls.

Automatic Freeze Protection.
This feature turns the water pumps on in freezing weather if your spa’s heater should ever fail, saving you from expensive repair costs.

Quality of Cover.
The cover retains the spa’s heat and moisture, therefore, it is imperative to look for a quality cover to keep operation costs at a minimum. We recommend looking for a 1.5 lb. foam density cover for the best energy efficiency. Also look for heat seal gaskets that will protect against vapor loss in the cover’s crease. In addition, look for a cover that has at least a 4″ skirting that covers the spa’s shell and a portion of its cabinet. Click here for more information about Hot Tub Covers.

Most people prefer their hot tubs outdoors for pure enjoyment. Over 90% of hot tubs, including those in cold weather climates, are installed outdoors. If the hot tub has proper insulation and energy saving features, an outdoor spa will not cost much more to operate than an indoor spa. In addition, outdoor spas can save money by eliminating the need for ventilation that indoor spas require.

Water capacity of your hot tub
Although the difference between a 200 gallon vs. a 400 gallon hot tub is significant, the cost of operation is not twice as much. In fact, once the desired water temperature is achieved, maintaining the temperature will only be between 25% to 50% more for a 400 gallon spa.

Water temperature in your hot tub
Water temperature in hot tubs is primarily kept between 100° and 104°. One degree may sound insignificant; however, a change in only one degree will affect the cost of operation.

How often you use your hot tub
Each time you remove the cover, you lose the radiant heat that has built up while your spa was closed. The more you use your hot tub, the more it will cost to operate it. However, keep in mind that you did not purchase your hot tub for it to sit idle.

Electricity.The cost of electricity is a factor that no one has control over. Each power company charges different rates for their electricity use.

Outside Temperature. If installing your spa outdoors, another factor out of your control is the air temperature. If you live in a cooler area, your spa will have to work harder to maintain your desired water temperature.

Here are some examples of different areas of the United States with their approximate annual temperature and kilowatt rate:

Labor.
There is usually little or no coverage within the warranty for labor costs. However, there are almost always extended service contracts which are made available to the consumer, and we highly recommend purchasing one.

Obligations of User.
It is important to carefully review the warranty for any obligations of the owner. Some manufacturers require that the consumer pay for all labor and repair expenses. Also, if repairs are unable to made on site (as is often the case with full foam spas), some manufacturers require the consumer to pay the shipping costs of transporting the spa, or its parts, back to the original manufacturer. This can be very expensive, potentially costing well over $1,000. If you are planning to purchase a full foam insulated spa, or a spa that does not provide easy access to its interior (no removable wall panels), it is highly recommended to look for a manufacturer that will cover the costs of shipping.

Acts Invalidating the Warranty.
This section is important to read because some manufacturers insert clauses into the warranty that are unfair to the consumer. Look for out of the ordinary things that invalidates the warranty. For example, does the manufacturer require you to use only their brand of chemicals? Does it restrict you from using certain types of chemicals? Does it prohibit you from exposing your spa from direct sunlight? (An especially unfair clause for those with outdoor spas.) Read this section carefully before any purchase is made… it could end up saving you a significant amount of money, as well as headaches.

Structural Warranty: The structural warranty covers the shell’s ability to hold water. Look for a warranty that lasts for as long as you perceive that you will own your spa; a minimum of ten years is recommended.

Surface Warranty: The surface warranty protects against delamination, discoloring, blistering, and cracking – any type of cosmetic blemishing. The surface warranty usually offers less coverage than the structural warranty. We recommend looking for a manufacturer that provides a minimum of five to ten year surface coverage.

Accessories.
Accessories cover everything from ozonators to cover lifters. Often times, these accessories are not manufactured by the same people who built your hot tub. Therefore, you will often be presented with a separate warranty from the manufacturer who built the part. It is important to check that your dealer will support this warranty in the case that repairs are ever needed.

The cover is likely to be the first thing that will need to be replaced on your hot tub. While most manufacturers provide covers with the purchase of a hot tub, these covers are usually not of the highest quality and will need to be replaced within two to three years. Covers can be expensive to replace, usually costing anywhere between $300 – $600. When it is time to replace your first cover, look for a quality cover that has coverage for three or more years. This type of coverage will ensure that the cover will be able to withstand all of the normal abuses from customer mishandling, its constant removal and replacement, and nature’s elements for at least five to six years.

Electronics
Most manufacturers utilize computer activated electronic controls. These controls are sensitive to moisture and vapor, and have a high susceptibility to problems due to the inherent nature of the product. Look for a solid warranty that provides at least three to four years coverage.

The biggest problems with electronic controls, however, are electrical storms, lightning, and customer mishandling. An electrical storm could easily destroy the entire electrical system, costing well over $1,000 to replace. This is the reason we highly recommend looking for a No Fault warranty that covers Acts of God as well as customer abuse. This ideal warranty will protect you from extensive repair costs.

Equipment
All of the hot tub’s parts (i.e. pumps and blowers) and plumbing should be covered within the warranty for at least three years. If the parts and plumbing are not covered, it could lead to potentially serious problems that can be costly to repair. Also be sure to find out if there are any fees associated with parts that need to be shipped from various locations – not all retailers will carry parts for all of the hot tub models that they sell.

The hot tub’s heating element is usually the second item that will need to be replaced. The minerals and chemicals in your water can adversely affect the heating element over a period of time. The warranty should be longer than one year for your protection.

Also take into consideration the relationship between the dealer and the manufacturer. You will not be able to count on a dealer who has changed their manufacturer affiliation several times over the past few years. The dealer should be able to prove a long and stable relationship with the manufacturer so that you may be assured that your warranty will be supported.

Almost all manufacturers provide different types of warranty coverage for the different parts and elements of their hot tubs. Keep in mind that the length of the coverage is usually determined by dividing in half the time that the manufacturer perceives the part to last.

If you are planning on using your hot tub for therapy alone, or with a mate, consider either a two-seater or four-seater model. While you may not need the extra space for additional bathers, you may want to consider a larger size for other reasons. First, a larger hot tub provides the luxury of having a variety of seating areas. With today’s innovations and the wide variety of therapy jets available, many manufacturers customize each seating area to provide a different therapeutic benefit. For example, one seat might concentrate on massaging your lower back, while another seat gives a full body massage.

Another option to consider in your choice of size is the kind of features that you want in your hot tub. For example, many manufacturers now offer doublewide lounges that can fit two people. This is a very popular option, however, it requires a bit larger of a hot tub. “Captain’s chairs” are another seating design that has become more popular. While these seats provide a unique massage to your entire body, they also have wrap around armrests, giving your arms and hands extra support while soaking. Click on Shell Designs, for more information.

If you are planning on using your hot tub primarily for entertainment purposes, it is wise to look for a spa with ample foot room and space to accommodate the maximum number of intended bathers. When looking for a larger spa, it is also important to note that manufacturers classify their spa sizes by the number of seating areas within the spa, not by how many people it can fit. While the spa may have five seating areas, it may not be able to hold that many people at once. So be sure to look for a hot tub that can realistically fit the number of people you are looking for, and that those people can fit comfortably.

Another option to consider when purchasing a larger size spa is a feature known as Independent Seating Control. This allows each user to turn on every seat independently of the others, along with being able to control the intensity of the hydrotherapy action. As a result, each user can enjoy the type of massage they want without interfering with anyone else’s massage. This is an ideal scenario for people who like to entertain or for those that seek a larger spa for a variety of therapy needs.

It is important to note that selecting a spa from a dealer’s showroom can oftentimes be misleading. It is strongly recommended to have a trained technician visit your home BEFORE you purchase a hot tub. There are specific logistics that need to be addressed that can only be discussed in the home. A trained technician will be able to assess what size or model will fit best into your intended area. They will also address safety and building codes, as well as delivery and installation concerns. Look carefully into all of the different sizes and models that your manufacturer offers, and consider all of the seating options. Keep in mind that though you may initially purchase your hot tub for entertainment purposes, as time goes on you will undoubtedly use it for therapy and stress relief, and vice versa.

What’s the largest hot tub that can fit into your area?
The technician should know the exact dimensions of each and every hot tub model that they sell. The first thing a technician should do is measure all access ways to determine the largest hot tub that will fit in your area, giving you guidelines to follow when choosing your hot tub.

Where’s the best place to install your hot tub?
The technician will address several issues in helping you to determine the best location for your hot tub. These issues include, but are not limited to, level and proper flooring support, size of doorways/access ways, electrical requirements, safety codes, and other delivery logistics. A good technician can often suggest alternative locations that may end up saving you money. By answering these questions, you can be assured that your hot tub will not only be installed in the best possible location, but also that the delivery process will go as smoothly as possible.

Could there be any potential delivery problems?
The technician will evaluate several factors in order to determine a smooth delivery process. For example, are there any trees or overhead power lines that could be in the way? Are there any gates to which they will need access, keys and/or permission to enter? Even seemingly small factors such as areas of soft grass and septic tank placement will need to be taken into consideration in determining the method of delivery.

Will your spa violate any building codes?
The technician should be knowledgeable about the common building codes and special barrier code violations in your area. The safety issues that the technician will address should give you peace of mind that your spa will not present future problems.

Could there be any existing electrical problems?
Almost all manufacturers have a variety of models that all require different voltage and amperage. The technician will help you to evaluate your electrical availability, and whether your site will need to be upgraded (which can be costly). It is not uncommon in situations in which dealers did not offer a home site inspection that upon delivery the spa was found to be inoperable without major modification to the home.

Can the structure or floor support the hot tub?
Whether you put your hot tub indoors or outside, a technician should instruct you on structural floor load capacities. They should check building construction and the structure’s support capabilities. The technician cannot give you the stamp of approval that a building inspector can, but they can provide you with clear guidelines as to where the hot tub should or should not be placed.

Your technician should be knowledgeable of the many features available on hot tubs. This will make your hot tub experiences more enjoyable and pleasant. While this is something that can be done at the showroom, you will undoubtedly feel more comfortable in the privacy of your own home as opposed to a showroom where there are constant distractions with limited time available. Last, and most important, you want to receive a solid education on hot tub operation, care, and maintenance, as well as all product lines. If done properly, your in-home site survey and inspection should ensure you complete satisfaction with your hot tub.

• Density of the Cover. Look for a cover with a 1.5 lb. foam density. This type of cover is structurally sound with sufficient insulation. The R-Value for these covers is 12.7, which is an excellent, energy-efficient rate for hot tub covers. Some manufacturers use a 1 lb. foam density, but it does not provide adequate insulation. There are even covers with 2 lb. foam density; however, we found those covers to be too heavy and cumbersome to handle.
• Extended Apron. Some covers have a short 2″ vinyl flap, or apron, around the perimeter of the cover that barely covers the spa shell. This can result in a loss of heat and moisture. Look for covers that extend at least 4″ beyond the spa, covering the shell coping as well as a portion of the spa cabinet. This will keep the heat and moisture in, and help your spa to operate more efficiently.
• Heat Seal Gasket. Most spa covers are large and fold in half for better maneuverability. However, with extended usage, a crease will begin to form in the area where the cover folds. This crease loses valuable heat and suffers vapor loss. On cold days, you can actually see the heat and moisture escaping! To correct this, look for covers that utilize a heat seal gasket at the crease that keeps the heat in and prevents vapor loss.
• UL and ASTM Listing. Covers that are listed with UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials) provide many benefits. Covers that are not UL or ASTM listed will often require a fence to be installed around the hot tub for safety. UL and ASTM listed covers have been tested to withstand hundreds of pounds, protecting children and pets from accidentally falling into the spa. UL and ASTM listings ensure that the covers either meet or exceed all of the safety standards set by UL and ASTM, providing peace of mind for the owner.
• Warranties. Since the cover is the first thing that will need to be replaced on your hot tub, it is important to look for an extensive warranty. Most manufacturers determine the length of coverage by dividing in half the time that they perceive the part to last. Most manufacturers offer only a one year warranty on covers, meaning that it would need replacing within two years. A cover can be a very expensive item to replace, so it is ideal to look for at least a three year warranty.

In addition, the cover helps to protect your water from impurities, as well as from evaporation.

A spa without a cover is also unsafe. Small children and pets could easily fall into a spa without a cover.