If you're considering getting a hot tub, or you've recently purchased a spa, you've probably got lots of questions about how they work, when to use it and if there's some important things you need to know about hot tub ownership and maintenance. By getting a hot tub you're entering uncharted waters (pun definitely intended!).
Even if you've owned hot tubs before or have friends with them, there are always going to be some questions you need answers to, about how to look after your hot tub, water chemistry, maintenance and more. Some even ask if hot tubs are expensive to run. The same applies to swim spas. The main thing is... there's no silly questions.
One of the most common questions our team gets asked is "should I leave my hot tub on all the time?" Quite simply, the answer is yes... your hot tub is designed to be left switched on constantly and works best when it is left on all the time. Your hot tub is at it's most efficient if left to run 24/7.
Why is it better to keep the hot tub running?
Some customers want to know if they should use a hot tub in winter or switch it off... this is of course personal to each family's unique circumstances, but we think that winter is the best time to own a hot tub! They also want to know why it's best to keep their hot tub running constantly.
1. It's cheaper!
One of the main reasons for keeping your hot tub on constantly is... cost! Once your hot tub is up to the desired temperature, it only requires a relatively small amount of electricity to keep the water at that temperature. In the summer this is very much the case, as long as your hot tub is well insulated and the cover is in good condition and is airtight around the surface of the spa.
Obviously during the winter, the ambient temperature is going to be much colder so that spa's heating system has to work harder to keep the water at your chosen temperature. That being said, if you turn the hot tub off regularly and back on again, it will take hours and hours to heat back up which you'll definitely notice on your electricity bill!
2. Better water, better tub health!
Two more important factors are at play here and they're to do with the health of both your hot tub and the water. If you turn off a hot tub completely, the pumps stop moving and water can settle. In the winter, if you've not COMPLETELY drained the water out of the pumps and pipework, it could freeze which can split the plastic pipes inside the spa, causing leaks which can be expensive to fix. Similarly, a frozen pump could seize and be fatally damaged, requiring an expensive replacement.
When it comes to the water, if your hot tub is turned off but the water is still in it, it will settle because the circulation pump is off. This means the chemicals will congeal and sink to the bottom, which is nasty, hard to clean and even dangerous to your health.
If it's cold and you're using the hot tub less frequently, we recommend leaving the spa running but turning the temperature down.
3. They're built for year-round use
Ultimately, your new hot tub is built to be used 365 days a year, regardless of the weather and ambient temperature. Whether it's turning the temperature down to relax in the summer months, or warming yourself up when its snowy and cold outside, a hot tub is a great companion for you and your family all year round.
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