Becoming a hot tub owner could potentially be one of your most exciting life choices yet. However, hot tub ownership comes along with many responsibilities and considerations that are important to protecting your investment for years to come. So, what are the most important aspects of owning a hot tub?
Energy Cost
Hot tubs, otherwise known as spas, come in many different shapes and sizes, each with their own unique requirements for insulation, plumbing, wiring, and filtering. These are all factors that contribute to the efficiency of your hot tub, and more importantly, how much one will cost to operate. It’s especially important to purchase a model with excellent insulation as this will reduce the amount of heat your spa loses, resulting in less power draw to reheat it throughout the day.
Maintenance Costs and Procedure
Keeping your tub’s water clear and healthy is among the most important tasks of hot tub ownership. Neglecting your spa care can lead to accelerated degradation of your hot tub’s internal parts, bacteria growth, and an overall unenjoyable experience. Typical hot tub maintenance is done through the use of chemicals and testing supplies, which some sources say cost around $20 per month.
Maintaining pH
Standard hot tub testing utilizes chemical strips to test your water’s pH level and alkalinity. It’s important to keep your spa water within a pH range of 7.4 to 7.6 as anything lower than this will mean your water is too acidic. At an acidic pH your water could eat away at the internal mechanisms of your hot tub while irritating your skin and eyes. Luckily there are innovative water maintenance systems that can assist you in creating your ideal spa water conditions. These systems enable you to monitor your water’s pH level from your phone, and can even aid you in balancing it, creating a stress-free water maintenance routine.
Maintaining Alkalinity
Ensuring your water’s alkalinity stays between 100 and 150 parts per million will keep your spa’s water clear and enjoyable to use. If your spa’s alkalinity is high, it may be a sign that you are using too many chemicals, or are wearing skin care products that are impacting your water alkalinity.
Owning a spa can offer a daily escape from life’s stresses, functioning as a meditative and restorative space. But if not properly sourced, your spa could lead to expensive and cumbersome repairs, maintenance, and upkeep. Taking the time to ensure that you are choosing the best possible spa for your lifestyle means you can enjoy your hot tub, worry-free, for years to come.