Hot Tub Buying - Other Considerations?

So your buying a hot tub, you have searched the web narrowed it down to 3-5 dealers and make a plan to wet test each make to see what fits your requirements. It all sounds great and this is definitely the right way to start the buying process, what people don't think to ask is the important questions once they get to the showrooms.

These include...

• Why do you sell this make?
• How long have you been selling this make?
• How long have you been selling spas?
• How many brands have you sold in this time?
• What else does the company do?
• What happens to me and the warranty should you go out of business?
• Where are the main distribution company, how long have they been dealing with the product and will they service my tub under warranty if you don't?
• What does my warranty cover, is it pro rated?
• Do I pay up front for warranty work then claim back from the manufacturer?
• Can I go to any dealer to get service work done?
• How long has the salesman/women been selling the brand? how long has he/she been in the spa industry?
• Does he/she own a tub if so what make and why?
• What other brands would they sell if they didn't sell this brand?
• Can you arrange for me to speak to one of your existing customers?

I'm sure there are others, the point being it's as important who you buy the tub from as it is the tub itself. A warranty is only as good as you have a dealer and that dealer can be contacted, a dealer who shows little loyalty to brands may decide to ditch you once they stop selling the brand you have bought from them so be wary.

These are of course guidelines to aid you in making the best choice when buying a spa, if something doesn't quite add up or there answers don't fill you with confidence then walk away, no matter how much they offer to 'knock off' the price!

Hot Tub Promo Videos

Hear what the manufacturers have to say about there own product, go wet test yourself and then post your opinion on the brands available, only by sharing experiences can customers get a true picture of what works and who's just talking a lot of hot air!

Arctic Spas Promo Video

Hot Spring Spas Promo Video

Caldera Spas Promo Video

Sundance Spas Promo Video

If anyone locates any others then please post them here, thanks.

Help for Arthritis Sufferers in Hot Tubs

If you’ve ever experienced the pain of arthritis or have had to watch someone you know and love suffer with it you will be pleased to know the Arthritis Foundation highly recommends the healing properties of hot tubs for its afflicted. People with arthritis have a very difficult time moving and by being submerged in warm water, they are alleviated of some of their discomfort and are even able to get the unimaginable done; they are able to exercise with little discomfort.

As always, with any new activity, if you are an arthritis sufferer and would like to start enjoying the hot tub, please first check with a physician before you begin.
When your doctor has said its okay for you to begin exercising in a hot tub, start off by allowing your body to warm up for several minutes before starting any exercises. This is one of those miracle uses of the hot tub for people with arthritis because not only will they be able to get some exercising in, they will be able to gain muscle by doing so.

It is extremely important to take things slowly when exercising in a hot tub for several reasons; one is because you can strain muscles if you are not properly warmed up before starting, two is the fact that it is possible to over exert yourself in a hot tub by doing too much or doing it for too long to where you become lightheaded and dizzy. Getting to that point won’t help any exercising, and it can be detrimental to your over-all health. The third reason to take things slowly happens after you have exercised, keep in mind that now that your muscles have been stretched and worked, it is important to keep them warm for several minutes before getting out of the hot tub to allow your muscles to relax before hitting the cooler air.

For the person who suffers with arthritis, the mere fact that they are able to move with less discomfort in a hot tub or even a swimming pool is nothing shy of miraculous. Those with arthritis are in constant pain and a lot of it has to do with the simple fact that there is a gravitational pull to the earth we live on and that is greatly alleviated if they are submerged in water. Warm water is an added benefit because it will also cause the blood vessels to dilate, which will allow for more blood and oxygen to flow to muscles and skin not to mention the heart.

But it is an activity that if not followed and practiced properly could bring on more problems than were there before. So if you are thinking about getting some exercise in a hot tub where your arthritis will be lessened, don’t forget to talk to your doctor first and follow the guidelines that have been presented in order to take the best care of you. A little warm water exercising will go a long way on the road to better health.

Health Benefits of Hot Tubs

The heart is designed to pump blood in response to our body’s demands or requests. The heart has to work a lot less when the body’s temperature is elevated (not too much) and are in a state of buoyancy. You can relieve your body weight by 20% when in a tub or pool up to your neck in water. Just the effects of the natural gravitational pull that are lessened by doing this is well worth looking into if you are pursuing optimal health.

While relaxing in a hot tub, the health benefits are numerous; and include the simple fact that when you are immersed in water up to your neck the volume of blood in your chest cavity and even in your heart will increase and that’s the best thing you can do for your circulation system. More of the health benefits that can be gained by regular immersion in a hot tub include benefits to your pulmonary, musculoskeletal, renal and endocrine systems.

By your heart pumping in the conditions of a relaxing hot tub and the fact that you are not putting all of your body’s weight in stress, these benefits will be a great advantage for any owner of a hot tub or spa. While your heart’s ability to pump blood goes up, and your heart rate is enjoying a bit of a slow down, your cardiovascular system can become more efficient right along with every other working system of the body.

There are almost too many health benefits to mention that will be enjoyed by the hot tub user that naming them all would take up too much time but here are a few more health benefits; water has always been known to soothe pain away, it can (and will) loosen up cramped muscles, sitting in the water up to your neck you will also have the added benefit of having the vapors from the steam entering your nose and possibly loosening up any congestion that is going on within. One of the most beneficial ways regular hot tub or spa use can help is with sleep.

How many nights have you spent, churning up inside over any and every little thing and the more you try to sleep, the more wide awake you get? When you step out of a hot tub, you feel naturally relaxed and drowsy and all you need next is your pillow and a blanket in order to enjoy a good night’s rest.

Child Safety in Hot Tubs

There is nothing more enjoyable than watching a child play in water. Hot tubs are especially attractive to children because of their depth, which is usually not as deep as the swimming pool and because of the warm temperature. But there are dangers when children and hot tubs are mixed and there isn’t a clue as to what may happen if precautions are not followed.First child safety tip in regards to a hot tub is to not allow access to any child to the water, especially in the absence of adult supervision. How is that achieved? That safety precaution is kept by having a lockable hot tub cover that will not allow a child access to the water.

No matter what, under any circumstances, should a child be left alone near a hot tub, if a phone rings and you need to answer it, take the child, too. There isn’t any reason for a child to be near a hot tub without adult supervision and many potentially fatal accidents have been prevented by the attention of an adult.

It is important to keep the temperature of a hot tub in mind if child safety is an issue. While most adults can tolerate high temperatures, children are less likely to because among other things, their skin is thinner than that of an adult. With thinner skin, a child is more likely to become over-heated, which can cause dizziness and light-headedness, which can lead to drowning. Children should not stay in a hot tub, with a temperature more than 104 degrees than five minutes or so. Again, this is where adult supervision comes in because a child will not know what is happening to them if they become disoriented as a result of prolonged time in a hot tub; and they may not be able to communicate that they are feeling over-heated or nauseous. As an adult, the monitoring of a child is entirely up to you, no excuses.

The environment in which we enjoy hot tubs can also be a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria and if not treated, can cause serious illness. If there is any child with an open wound, they should not enter the hot tub, in their own best interest. If a child is too young to tell someone that they need to go to the bathroom, or if they are still in a diaper, they should not, under any circumstances be allowed in a hot tub. Any fecal matter in the moist, warm environment of a hot tub is a dangerous mixture and can cause many, many illnesses. Be safe with this one by keeping the pH levels balanced and having the proper chemicals on hand, if they are needed.

Because children are more susceptible to germs and have not been around long enough to have produced the antibodies it takes to fight some infections, it is imperative that their safety and the safety of those around them, not be compromised by not adhering to the point that children not yet able to express the need to use the bathroom be put in a hot tub, where they may cause fecal matter to be introduced to the atmosphere.

Hot Tub Gazebo's

Having a hot tub in your back yard, or on a deck, is no longer the luxury that only the wealthiest of people could afford. Today, hot tubs come in so many shapes and sizes that it is feasible that all kinds of incomes could afford one.

When you have a hot tub out in the yard you are also afforded the option of building a gazebo to add beauty and functionality to the hot tub experience.
Having a gazebo to enhance the beauty of the hot tub is another option that is no longer something for the wealthy. There are many different types of gazebos and they can be built for little money, by the owner or they can be ordered and specialized for more cost. No matter which option is chosen, a gazebo for your hot tub will only make the experience of soaking in it more enjoyable.

What types of hot tub gazebos are there? Some gazebos come with the idea of an open-air experience. They are built with the roof and the supporting sides, but the openings are left bare to allow for the breeze to make an impression. These gazebos are less likely to be enough for those who are looking for more privacy in their hot tub space but there is always the option of hanging some kind of curtain when privacy is required.

How about the hot tub owner who is in close proximity to neighbors or a busy street? If that is the case, there are designs of hot tub gazebos that have screens, blinds, shutters and other options for the feeling of privacy. One idea for lighting if one of the enclosed hot tub gazebos is preferred is to fill the inside of the roof with tiny Christmas lights and it will simulate the night sky. Or there are many other lighting options that will bring a sense of customization that can be offered from built in lighting, where the lighting is built into the ceiling and the support walls. Maybe you are more interested in the candlelight effect? There are ways to custom build shelves that will allow you to place decorative candles that will keep them within a safe range, where they will not catch fire.

Today there are hot tub gazebos that have incredible stereo systems and they can have the entire system built into the structure itself, or they can have wireless speakers that are connected to the home’s stereo system, where there is not a fear of having any electrical items too close to the tub itself.

Some companies offer the option of having a custom gazebo built and in that case you could sit down with a designer, or architect, and design whatever you choose for the enclosure of your hot tub. These custom-designs have a great selling-point and that is; no matter how outrageous you want your hot tub gazebo to be, if you have the imagination, it can be built. Close your eyes and dream up anything, and it can be achieved.

Hot Spring Spas Debuts New Limelight Hot Tub Product Line

Bringing all their knowledge and experience to bear, the innovative minds at Hot Spring® Spas have created Limelight Hot Tubs, a unique line of modern, innovative and fully featured hot tubs that incorporate many of the same advanced components that have made Hot Spring Spas the world's number one-selling brand.

With three star models to fit every backyard, a Limelight hot tub is the perfect place to relax, entertain and socialize with friends and family. "Our new Limelight Hot Tubs are a real show stealer on the retail showroom floor," says Samantha Weiser, Hot Spring Brand Manager. "Our dealers are saying that the Limelight buyer is immediately attracted to the innovative design and dynamic features of these hot tubs. But what really makes the difference is the peace of mind consumers have in knowing their hot tub is backed by a quality company that has been the industry leader for over thirty years."

Limelight show stopping features that take center stage include:-The Raio® lighting system that illuminates the entire hot tub with multiple points of light accenting the lines of hot tub interior, the tranquil arch of the Vidro™ waterfall and each of the four corners.
-The optional Limelight wireless music system with an iCast™ transmitter that can transmit virtually any audio source to the hot tub, including an iPod®.
- Low monthly operating costs. All Limelight hot tubs provide energy-efficient performance and have been certified to the California Energy Commission (CEC) in accordance with California law.
http://www.limelighthottubs.com/

Which Spa's provide Varied Massage?

There seems to be quite a few different types of jets around. Which are the best types and how many different types should there be in the spa to provide varied massage?

Is it better to have more jets rather than fewer jets? Do I need to look for more pumps if the spa has lots of jets?

A. Jets by definition come in three rough sizes in the industry, 1 inch, 3 inch and 5 inch, although there are larger footwell jets now being fitted in most spas it is the seat jets we will be concentrating on here.Things to look for when viewing a tub include number of jets, size of jets and position of jets. Although people may think a tub full of 5" jets is the best thing to look for you would be wrong, all the same you don't want one with all 1" either.Each size of jet will give the bather different hydrotherapy properties and therefore a tub offering variation on all sizes of jets is the tub to ultimately look for. Position of the jets can be a comfort and massage issue, therefore testing the tub you are interested in both dry and wet will give you the consumer the answer to both these questions as you are the one that will be using the tub. Jet positions throughout the tub to obtain a full body massage from shoulders to feet including if possible hands is again the aim however wet test to see what YOU think of the tub. As most spas have either 5 or 6 seats you are also looking for variation on jet type across the seats when it comes to the 3 and 5 inch size as you may have more than one seat with the same size of jet.Lastly number of jets in the spa, this is of course important however the spa must be balanced correctly so the available jets do not outweigh the available pump power and effect pressure at the jets and therefore the tubs hydrotherapy. Most tubs have air venturis and diverter handles to handle power direction should the manufacturer wish to offer more jets with the same number of pumps, check pump and flow rates of the spa and compare brands for better understanding of this. Coverage on the body of one five inch jet will be greater than one three inch therefore you tend to find more clusters of one and three inch as needed on certain seats, again wet test to find out for yourself.To sum up VARIATION, POSITION, NUMBER, look at all three factors not just one and also take note of seating variation, see the post for more info on that.

What are the likely Running Costs?

How can I tell what the likely running costs are going to be on different types of spa. I've been quoted everything from 8p to £2 per day in electrical running costs.With the price of electric going the way it is this is obviously going up my shopping list.What types of features should I be looking for to ensure that use of electric is minimised?

A. Running costs of a spa come down to mainly a few things, insulation of the shell and plumbing, you charge per KWh and efficiency of the cover, this is a basic overview of electrical running costs. Other running costs include chemical costs which are affected by filter and ozone efficiency.Firstly electrical costs, this can be broken down into efficiency of the heater and heat loss through the shell and cover. Things to look out for here are thickness of hard cover and ability to clip down the cover to avoid winds lifting the cover off the spa. Heat losses through the shell will depend on thickness of insulation on the shell, if the plumbing that can be foamed is foamed and how many layers of insulation the manufacturer uses. Added to this the density of the foam can vary considerably from 0.5 to 2lb the higher the figure the more dense and therefore better insulation rating for the same thickness sprayed. Bases which vary between manufacturers are designed primarily to keep out moisture from the frame of the tub rather than stop heat escaping as by definition heat rises, but a base on the spa will help. Make sure figures given by manufacturers state in what way the tub has been used to obtain these results, i.e. temp of tub water, ambient temp, usage per day, KWh cost etc. only then can you make a comparison across different manufacturers. It is highly possible your usage will differ from the tested norm anyway so try to factor this in and be honest with yourself.Chemical costs can vary significantly due to usage of the tub and therefore no definitive answer can be given on costs, however a tub with a higher filtration capacity will in the main keep cleaner water used with the same amount of chemicals. Ozone fitted on a tub will help aid the chemicals and therefore means less chemicals are used to maintain the tub, NB. As per BISHTA guidelines chemicals should always be used alongside a tub fitted with ozone regardless of what anyone tells you.The way ozone is plumbed on a tub can vary the effectiveness depending on how long the ozone is being injected for in a 24hr period and how long the ozone has to break down wastes before it reaches the tub and off gases as ozone by definition does not reside in the tub water like chemicals do.I would recommend speaking directly to a dealer regarding the above to better understand how different manufacturers build there spas.

Lounge Seat or Open Plan all-seater?

What are the pros and cons of buying either a spa with a lounge seat or one with a more open-plan all-seat style. What should I be looking for in either option?

A. If you haven't wet tested a spa before then you may not be able to make a determination without doing so. A spa without lounge will usually give you more seating positions as seats are located on all sides of the tub facing inwards, whereas a lounge will take up one side of the tub where 2-3 seats would normally be located. Having said this, spas with loungers usually have enough seats anyway to accommodate most sizes of families. The lounge design itself is important and I would recommend if you are able to wet test the lounge then do so. If the lounge is too flat you will float out, too curved and it will not be comfortable or follow your body's natural contours. When testing think where the jets hit you when in the lounge, are there foot rests, arm rests and headrest?To lounge or not to lounge is a question only you can answer as this is pure consumer preference.

Does Pump Type, Pump Size or the Amount of Pumps Matter?

I want a spa which is powerful enough to give me a vibrant massage as I suffer from back pain. How many pumps should I be looking for or is there anything else that comes into play to determine how powerful the jets are?Are more pumps better than less pumps? How many jets can 1 pump power sufficiently? Does pump size matter? Does the type of jets matter

A. HORSEPOWER CLAIMS ON HOT TUBS AND SPAS The BISHTA Committee has recently discussed the confusion in the marketplace over horsepower claims for pumps on hot tubs. While the industry norm is around 2hp, claims of ratings up to as much as 10hp can be found on some manufacturers' literature, with the implication for the customer that higher ratings must be better. The BISHTA Committee is aware that these claims and the literature that contains them originates from America and is expressed on a different basis from UK practice, and has urged all members to prepare their own explanatory material to interpret these figures in commonly understood terms.

Can a Spa Cater for all Sizes

I am 6'5" tall and my wife is only 5'2". To complicate matters even more we have 2 small kids so I am severely outnumbered by the vertically challenged!What should we be looking for to make sure that the spa that we buy suits all of us...obviously I don't want to have half of my body sticking out of the water but my wife doesn't want to wear a snorkel for fear of drowning. Help!

A. In my experience I would always recommend some variation in seating levels. Not only due to heights of bathers but also to accommodate variation in seasons. I for one do not need to be fully immersed in hot weather or if I have been in a tub for a length of time I appreciate being able to lift my arms and shoulders out. I would suggest wet testing for at least 30 minutes a time to understand what I mean.

Which Hot Tub Dealer Do I Believe?

Everyone telling you to buy there brand because it's the best, not sure which company is giving the right advice then look for a dealer through BISHTA (The British and Irish Hot Tub Association).

They make sure there dealers of whatever brand maintain the highest standards in displays, chemical advice and professionalism, seek these dealers out if you are in any doubt and you won't go too far wrong. As a consumer you also get the added bonus of having the backup of BISHTA should something go wrong with the dealer on supply, delivery, service etc.

http://www.bishta.org.uk/

You can also use the website to look for a dealer in your area ;)

Buying a Spa (Hot Tub)?

So you want to buy a spa (hot tub) but have no idea what to do, where to go and who to trust!
Every one's telling you there spa is the best and they can do the best deal, maybe you haven't even started looking yet and already your confused. This blog will give you the customer the low down on the good bad and ugly of the UK Spa industry, what's hot and what's not!

Lets start with the basics, where to research and where to go. The net is of course a great place to start as you can take time to research at your own pace and not be tempted by a salesman's great one week only deal!

Take a look at these sites for information on spas currently available in the UK market:

• Marquis Spas
• Hotspring Spas
• Caldera Spas
• Spa Crest Europe
• LA Spas
• Hydropool Spas
• Artesian Spas
• Dimension One Spas
• Jacuzzi UK
• Leisurerite Spas
• Arctic Spas

Dealers of these brands can be found here on this site Whatspa/find a dealer

Of course there are other brands so if I've missed any feel free to add them. Also you will find only a handful of makes in your local area due to the spread of product throughout the country, however there should be no real reason not to buy local to receive the best after sales service. Unless you must have a particular brand not available in your area.