Hot Tub Care and Maintenance

If you own a hot tub in Phoenix, there are unique challenges during the summer months.

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Owning a Hot Tub in Phoenix

During the Arizona summer, which is obviously our high temperature season, its important to follow a
few small steps to prevent your spa from overheating. It is common for fully insulated spas to creep up in temperature in warmer climates, despite your heater being turned off.

1. Prop your cover open.  Place a towel or a small piece of foam between your cover
   and your shell. This will allow some of the heat to escape your
   spa. Only one side should be enough at about an 1" opening.
2. Set filtration during cooler parts of the day.
   The heat your pump generates takes a big part in "thermal creep".
   Simply set your filtration to night time and early mornings.
   NOTE: Make sure your spa is not running for more that the
   recommended time cycles of 2 hours every 12 hours.
3. Keep your air control(s) on the "On" position.
   Opening up the air controls will allow air to be passed though your
   water lines, which will help keep your spa vented.
   Remember that these steps are only necessary during
   warmer parts of the year. As temperatures go down,
   you may return to normal operation.

Hot tub care and maintenance is important year round, however, in summer, you have additional steps that you're going to have to take as described above.  There are however, more things that you will have to be aware of.

Hot Tub Maintenance: Final Thoughts

First off, another reason why hot tub overheating can be a concern is the fact that you can evaporate your water.  If you use a UV sanitizing system on your spa, the chemical residue will be minimal, however,if you are using a traditional chemical-based system, it will leave a large amount of chemical residue behind which can irritate your lungs and your skin.

So keep your hot tub in good working order, as after all it is an investment.  Make sure you ventilate it properly during the summer months to keep it from overheating.  Clean it once or twice a year or as needed.  Keep your cover on when you're not using your hot tub.

Follow the care instructions that are part of your materials that were given to you when you bought your tub, and when in doubt, call your hot tub dealer in Phoenix for more information.

Sunset Spas of Arizona
2225 West Pecos Road #8 
Chandler, AZ 85224
(480) 656-7267
http://www.sunsetspasaz.com

Hot Tub Care and Maintenance: A Word of Caution on Salt Water Systems

Hot tub care isn't just about knowing what to do.  It is about knowing what not to do as well.  One thing that we can't stress enough is to avoid salt water systems in your hot tub.

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Hot Tub Maintenance:  Hold the Salt, Please

When you buy a hot tub, you are making a good decision.  Hot tubs have proven health benefits from pain relief and improved circulation all the way up to stress relief.  To keep your stress level down, you also want to make sure that you know what to do where hot tub maintenance is concerned. There is a lot of misinformation out there about how good salt water systems are in pools and hot tubs.  This may not necessarily be the case.  Supposedly salt water systems require less work and they're "hands free."  They are also supposedly better for your skin than traditional chemical based systems because they do not use harsh chemicals.  Finally, they supposedly cost a lot less than First off, let's look at the hands-free claim.
Take a good look at a manual for salt water systems when you want to buy a hot tub. Usually there are almost 200 separate warnings and procedures.  With a salt system, it is necessary for the owner of a hot tub to remove the salt cell every three months and clean it with an acid solution.  In addition, manufacturers of salt water based hot tubs recommend that you clean it with spa chlorine and shock, which pretty much negates the claim that it doesn't use harsh chemicals.  But what about the claim that salt systems are low cost?

Hot Tub Care and Your Wallet

While hot tub salt is about half the cost of hot tub chlorine per month, the other costs connected with a salt water system actually end up costing you more than a traditional hot tub.  For example, salt cells only last about a year and a half.  You have to replace them at that point and you will be looking at a replacement cost of between $300 and $500 when you do.  There are more costs connected with salt systems in hot tubs, but for now, know that hot tub salt systems aren't as much of a cost savings as you might think.

So be a smart consumer.  When you are in the market for a hot tub, make sure you know the pluses and minuses of the tub you're looking to get.  Know how much care you're going to need to give it each month and when you're going to need to do it.  That way you can make sure that you not only have a hot tub, you have gotten the right hot tub.

Sunset Spas of Arizona
2225 West Pecos Road #8
Chandler, AZ 85224
(480) 656-7267
Contact Us

Hot Tub Maintenance and Daily Use (Contd)

How much should you clean a hot tub?  Well it isn't just the hot tub, it is also your water quality.

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Hot Tubs and Conserving Water and Electricity

here are some tips to conserve water if you have a hot tub.  During the summer, keep the cover on your hot tub when you aren't using it. This will help in keeping the water cooler. Since water absorbs heat slower than the surrounding air, your tub will stay cooler for longer.You could also switch to 'cool water mode' where you basically lower the water's temperature to 85 degrees. Alternatively, do away with the heater completely.

Another thing to think about here in Arizona is that during the summer months when the temperatures can be at or well above 100 degrees, your hot tub water will evaporate far quicker than in more temperate parts of the US.  This is another really good reason to keep your hot tub covered when you're not using it.  Summer has it's own hot tub care instructions, but then again so do the winter months

Can My Pipes in My Hot Tub Freeze?

While freezing conditions are very rare in the Phoenix area, they can and do happen.  Covering your hot tub is one way to prevent it.  You may also wish to call your hot tub dealer to see if it will be necessary to winterize your pipes or take any extra measures to protect your tub from freezing conditions.

During winter,you can drain the tub, winterize the pipes and machinery and then refill. Winterizing involves installing a winter blanket ( this is a vinyl-covered, fiberglass insulated blanket which prevents freezing of the components while minimizing heat loss. You can buy one from your local hot tub dealer) . Test your water and if need be, add the necessary chemicals to the water.
Check for wear and tear and inspect the seal to see if it is still tight and in place. Turn off the thermostat if you're going to be away for an extended period of time, or set it to a lower value when you are around. Drain the tub only when its necessary.

So remember, owning a hot tub is all about relaxation.  So if you know the right things to do, you can use your hot tub for years or even decades to come.  It all starts with a phone call to your hot tub dealer in Glendale.

Sunset Spas of Arizona
7410 W. Bell Rd. Suite 300
Glendale AZ 85308
623-776-7727
http://www.sunsetspasaz.com

Hot Tub Maintenance and Daily Use

How much should you clean a hot tub?  Hot tub maintenance is all about knowing the proper steps to take with your spa.

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Maintaining Your Hot Tub

A few things that you can do to keep your hot tub in good shape include:
1. Keep your filters (filter cartridges) clean.
If your filters are dirty, then the cleanliness and circulation of the water is compromised. There are several degreasers available on the market for this purpose.

2.Keep your pH levels balanced.
It is advisable to test your pH levels once a week to keep concentrations of chemicals like chlorine or bromine in check in your hot tub. You can do this by taking a water sample down to your local hot tub dealer ( they usually do this for free in the hope that you purchase the necessary chemicals from them) or by using home strip tests.
Chemicals from sunscreen lotions, hair and makeup products, detergent residue on clothes, deodorants and body oils are largely responsible for chemical imbalances arising in the water. Chlorine or bromine is used to raise or lower the pH of the water depending on the test results.
A weekly dose of shock is also advisable to rid your spa of algae or bacteria especially when the tub is being used heavily.

Hot Tub: Water Quality and Cleaning

3.Replace the water.
It is best that you drain and refill your tub every 3 months. Scrub your tub before you refill to get rid of any residue that may have accumulated over time.
Do not, however, drain your tub during the summer months or turn off your filters completely. The moving water prevents cracking, moistens the seal and slows down the would-be corrosion from stagnant water.

4. Clean your hot tub.
Use a mild, non-abrasive cleaner to clean your tub after you drain it. You could also go with common baking soda when cleaning small surfaces.

5. Keep the cover on when the tub is not in use. This helps prevent debris from entering the tub, intruders or even small unmonitored children. It will also help you conserve energy.

6. Engage a professional to install all electrical components and schedule regular visits to ensure everything is working properly. It could save you huge costs down the road as a result of neglect.

So remember, it doesn't have to be overwhelming.  All it takes is a bit of knowledge, and you'll know howto do hot tub maintenance on your own.

If you'd like to learn about the water in your tub, click here.

Sunset Spas of Arizona
7410 W. Bell Rd. Suite 300
Glendale AZ 85308
623-776-7727
http://www.sunsetspasaz.com