A Winter Guide For Hot Tub Owners

As a Hot Tub owner, you probably have your own pattern of how and when you prefer using the tub, maybe a half-hour session daily, or a few hours with family and friends over the weekend. Whichever way you choose to use your hot tub, providing your spa comes from a reputable, quality manufacturer, hot tubs are designed for use all year round.

There are many benefits to hot tub ownership during autumn and winter, from enjoying a festive toast in the tub to watching Bonfire Night fireworks from the warmth of your spa. And not forgetting a key one - the hydrotherapy benefits that will help to ease stiff muscles and improve circulation to combat winter woes.

If you’re new to hot tub ownership or considering purchasing one in time for this winter, here are some commonly asked Questions & Answers you might be wondering about:

Q. Won’t I get too cold getting into and out of the hot tub when it’s freezing outside?

A. We would advise popping a robe on when on the way to and from the tub and suitable footwear, along with pre-checking the access route is free from ice, so your walkway is clear and safe. Aside from that, when using the hot tub, your skin temperature actually increases close to that of normal body temperature and remains at that temperature for a short while after getting out of the water – making the exit from the tub less of a temperature shift until you’re back indoors.

Q. Will it cost more to run my hot tub in colder temperatures?

A. If you have purchased a well-made, well-designed hot tub, such as one by US manufacturer Watkins Wellness who manufacture our Caldera Spas, they are purposely designed to be used daily all year round. Caldera Spas feature a special type of insulation (FiberCor) that is 4 times denser than traditional hot tub insulation foam (so 4 x better at retaining the heat), helping to greatly minimise running costs.

Always fully remove your cover when using the hot tub (for safety reasons), and keep it fully on and secured when the tub is not in use to keep the heat in. Replace the cover as soon as possible as the greater difference between air and water temperature will result in faster heat-loss from the water in winter.

Q. Will my hot tub require more maintenance during the winter?

A. Not necessarily, as they are designed to withstand harsh winter climates. However, it pays to pay attention to your hot tub when the temperature drops for a few reasons:

• If it snows, we advise sweeping the snow off the hot tub cover, as a pile of snow is heavy and will add unnecessary strain on the cover and cover lifter if you have one.
• Even if you don’t plan on getting in, it’s advisable to put your hot tub on periodically during the winter to check everything is operating as it should. This is because a spa is designed to have heated water circulating with built-in protection against the water freezing in the pipework. However, if something fails to operate properly and is not picked up, there is a risk of the water heating and circulation stopping and freezing inside the pipework leading to interior damage.
• Maintain your water testing and treat the water as you would normally do, which is always recommended best practice.

Q. If I don’t plan on using my hot tub during the winter, do I need to winterise it?

A. If you have decided you won’t be using your spa over the winter period, you will need to follow the below steps to properly winterise it to protect the equipment from frost and potential damage:

Winterising (shutting down) your Hot Tub

1. 1. Switch off the air control valves and open all jets.

   At this stage it would be a good idea to use a proprietary pipe cleaner and A hot tub flush product before draining the hot tub, which removes built-up biofilm and bacteria from pipework.

   Drain the water from the hot tub, using the hot tub’s in-built drain valve or a submersible pump (which will empty it out much faster). There will normally be a few inches of water left in the bottom of the hot tub which can be bailed out using a plastic bucket or similar plastic container.

   Switch off power to the hot tub both at the local isolator switch (if fitted) and the MCB in the consumer unit.

   
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2. 2. Remove the cabinet panel at the front of the hot tub’s equipment bay. Undo the unions connecting the pipework to the pumps and allow the water in the pipework drain away.

   Use a wet and dry vacuum cleaner to clear the pipework of any remaining water. If the hot tub is fitted with an air blower, disconnect the end of the pipe from the blower, and suck as much water as possible from the blower lines with the wet and dry vacuum.

   Remove the drain plugs from the pumps and let the water drain from the pump bodies. When all the water has drained from the pump bodies, replace the drain plugs.

3. 3. Replace the cabinet panel.

   Wipe over the hot tub’s interior and exterior with a clean cotton or microfibre towel. When it has fully dried out, place the cover back on the hot tub, close it and secure it.

4. 4. Cover up the Hot Tub

   As the hot tub is not going to be used for a while, it is better to cover it up properly to protect it from the elements, dirt and insects. you are ready to use it again. A Spa Protector Cover will help shield the cover and cabinet from harsh conditions also, until

   5. You have now successfully winterised your hot tub!

    

    

   For any help or advice on looking after your hot tub, feel free to contact us on 02920 705059 or email sales@allswimltd.com for assistance.

   
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