If your home has a scenic view of a secluded grove of trees, for example, you may wish to create a special area in which your hot tub or spa enhances this environment. For an indoor spa, you might have to enlarge an existing room or build an addition. This increases the total cost, but should also add to the value of your home.
If you already own a swimming pool, you may be able to make use of some existing plumbing and heating equipment by locating the tub or spa next to the pool.
As for a portable spa site, remember you can move a portable spa around to suit yourself, as long as the floor, deck or ground can support its weight and utilities are accessible.
Hot Tub Support Equipment
Phone 814-623-2240 fax 814-623-8570 for equipment help and selectionThe hot tub/spa support system includes everything required to circulate, filter and heat the water and is often a separate purchase. The system consists of a water pump, filter, water heater, air blower and the plumbing and hardware necessary to hook them up. The pump circulates the water through the system through hydrotherapy jets, commonly called "hydrojets." The filter helps keep the water clean by removing minute particles of dirt, debris and algae. An all inclusive package of equipment is called a "skidpack" and may be offered at a special price when the spa of hot tub is purchased. An advantage of buying the skid pack is that the components included are most likely matched for optimal performance. Buying the components individually may result in a mismatching of the equipment's electrical and hydraulic capabilities.
Some general rules to follow are:
A one-horsepower pump motor is usually sufficient for a 500-700 gallon spa or hot tub with four hydrojets. A two-speed pump may offer energy-saving potential. The higher speed is for jet action, while the lower speed is for circulating the water. It is generally wise to keep the pump on several hours per day at the lower level to keep the water at a fairly even temperature.
There are three types of filters: cartridge, sand and diatomaceous earth (DE). Most home spas and hot tubs use cartridge filters which last one to two years before needing replacement. They do require regular cleaning with a recommended cleaner.
Larger hot tubs and spas often are equipped with DE or sand filters. While these filters are more efficient than cartridge filters, cleaning either of these is more complicated than cleaning a cartridge filter. In all cases, there are different filter sizes, and the size for your system must be compatible with the pump. The spa equipment system shown is $649. It controls all spa functions, light,blower,pump hi/low,heat,temperature,ground fault,timer,and comes either air button system or electronic system buttons,you choose. spa packs.
Heaters are usually powered by either electricity or fossil fuels. Fossil fuel systems (burning either natural gas, oil or propane gas) heat the water faster which may be a consideration for a large spa or hot tub, or one located in a cold climate.
The size of the heater selected depends on how much water is to be heated and how quickly. For example, a 70,000 BTU heater can raise the water temperature in a 500-gallon spa by 10 degrees Fahrenheit in 51 minutes. A 225,000 BTU unit could do the same job in 14 minutes.
Keep in mind that the smaller heater may not necessarily be more energy-efficient since it must run that much longer. Less popular alternative heating systems include solar, wood or coal burning heaters. Your dealer should be able to answer questions about these systems.
Air blowers, which produce tiny air bubbles, and hydrojets, which produce aerated streams of water, must be the correct size for your spa of hot tub. While they are generally maintenance-free (requiring cleaning only when the tub or spa is emptied). they must be installed exactly as specified by the manufacturer.