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How to buy a hot tub/jacuzzi

MtnBikerChk

MtnBikerChk

Squeaky Wheel
Aug 3, 2001
5,478
38
Southern New England (where there ain't no TITUS d
...it's not for my house - but it might as well be! It's for my cousin's house where we spend our weekends in the winter (skiing in VT).

So where do I start? Top on her list is energy efficiency and she's thinking 4 person model.

I'm sure there's a hot tub forum out there somewhere that I have yet to google.

C'mon Brian - you must know somethin about these guys :)
 
jacksonpt

jacksonpt

Turbo Monkey
Jul 22, 2002
6,791
59
Vestal, NY
Just a suggestion... there are good deals to be found on used ones. They are expensive when new, and frequently people don't use them as often as they think and end up selling them in very good shape.
 
K

ktmsx

Monkey
Nov 28, 2005
527
0
CT.
jacksonpt said:
Just a suggestion... there are good deals to be found on used ones. They are expensive when new, and frequently people don't use them as often as they think and end up selling them in very good shape.
Click to expand...
I agree, every person I know who has one used it a lot when it was new and then it just sits there...
 
jacksonpt

jacksonpt

Turbo Monkey
Jul 22, 2002
6,791
59
Vestal, NY
MtnBikerChk

MtnBikerChk

Squeaky Wheel
Aug 3, 2001
5,478
38
Southern New England (where there ain't no TITUS d
bigbirdie

bigbirdie

Monkey
Feb 28, 2002
153
0
CT
I have a Hot Springs 6 person tub ($7000 new). I use it every night before bed from Sept. to June (I live in CT.) I swear by them. It is outside on my deck. I keep the water between 100-104. I recommend the Hot Springs brand. They have been around for a long time and are a well known company in the industry.

Btw, the more jets, the more chances you have of the plumbing leaking.

Things to look for in a tub:
First and foremost, seating capacity. The bigger you can get the better. They do get cramped when fiiled to capacity (I should know).
Second, like I said before, the more the jets the leak chances increase.
Third, filtration. Get one with at least 3 filters.
Fourth, pumps. It should have 2 pumps. One for the air and one for the water.
Fifth is the energy efficiency part. There are usually 2 types of electrical hooks ups that you can do. 110 (standard houshold current) and 220 (typical clother dryer). The difference between the 2 are the 110 takes longer to heat the water and more energy to keep the water hot while in use; especially when the tub is outside. the 220 heats alot quicker and keeps the water at a more consistent temp while in use, but uses more electricity.
and lastly, don't fall for the gimics that usually come with the tubs (i.e. tv's, towel warmers, etc.). the cost sky rockets and in my opinion, are useless when the whole intent is to relax (or whatever your little heart desires).

The best thing to do is go to a store where they sell hot tubs. any store that knows what they are doing will most likely allow you to try out the tubs in their showroom before you buy (mine did). My wife and I spent a good 3+ hrs. trying out 7 different tubs. You really need to do this in order to see how different manufactures design their tubs and the seating and jet placement.

good luck with your search.
 
MtnBikerChk

MtnBikerChk

Squeaky Wheel
Aug 3, 2001
5,478
38
Southern New England (where there ain't no TITUS d
bigbirdie said:
I have a Hot Springs 6 person tub ($7000 new). I use it every night before bed from Sept. to June (I live in CT.) I swear by them. It is outside on my deck. I keep the water between 100-104. I recommend the Hot Springs brand. They have been around for a long time and are a well known company in the industry.

Btw, the more jets, the more chances you have of the plumbing leaking.

Things to look for in a tub:
First and foremost, seating capacity. The bigger you can get the better. They do get cramped when fiiled to capacity (I should know).
Second, like I said before, the more the jets the leak chances increase.
Third, filtration. Get one with at least 3 filters.
Fourth, pumps. It should have 2 pumps. One for the air and one for the water.
Fifth is the energy efficiency part. There are usually 2 types of electrical hooks ups that you can do. 110 (standard houshold current) and 220 (typical clother dryer). The difference between the 2 are the 110 takes longer to heat the water and more energy to keep the water hot while in use; especially when the tub is outside. the 220 heats alot quicker and keeps the water at a more consistent temp while in use, but uses more electricity.
and lastly, don't fall for the gimics that usually come with the tubs (i.e. tv's, towel warmers, etc.). the cost sky rockets and in my opinion, are useless when the whole intent is to relax (or whatever your little heart desires).

The best thing to do is go to a store where they sell hot tubs. any store that knows what they are doing will most likely allow you to try out the tubs in their showroom before you buy (mine did). My wife and I spent a good 3+ hrs. trying out 7 different tubs. You really need to do this in order to see how different manufactures design their tubs and the seating and jet placement.

good luck with your search.
Click to expand...

cool! Thanks!

Where in CT? :)
 
TreeSaw

TreeSaw

Mama Monkey
Oct 30, 2003
17,834
2,197
Dancin' over rocks n' roots!
Excellent! We have been tossing around the idea of getting one for our deck for a few years, but haven't made the plunge yet because we have no idea what to look for (other than energy efficiency). Keep us posted on the search!!!

Also, I am loving the idea of testing out a few models too!!!
 
SkaredShtles

SkaredShtles

Michael Bolton
Sep 21, 2003
68,641
14,742
In a van.... down by the river
TreeSaw said:
Excellent! We have been tossing around the idea of getting one for our deck for a few years, but haven't made the plunge yet because we have no idea what to look for (other than energy efficiency).
Click to expand...
Hot tubs are not energy efficient. Period. Some are *more* efficient than others, but they're really big electricity sinks, basically.

That said, I wish I still had a functioning one. :D
 
bigbirdie

bigbirdie

Monkey
Feb 28, 2002
153
0
CT
I don't know about you guys, but I use mine every night, from sept. to june for about 20-30 min., it's outside, running on 110, temp set at 102 average and my electric bill is only about $30 more per month. I also have a pellet stove running to heat the house, plus 2 tv.s 3 computers, lights, etc. and my electirc bill in the dead of winter is no more than $170 per month.

I don't care what anyone says, the cost of running and maintaining one is a no brainer compared to the heath benifits of using one.
 
SkaredShtles

SkaredShtles

Michael Bolton
Sep 21, 2003
68,641
14,742
In a van.... down by the river
bigbirdie said:
I don't know about you guys, but I use mine every night, from sept. to june for about 20-30 min., it's outside, running on 110, temp set at 102 average and my electric bill is only about $30 more per month. I also have a pellet stove running to heat the house, plus 2 tv.s 3 computers, lights, etc. and my electirc bill in the dead of winter is no more than $170 per month.
Click to expand...
:eek: :eek: :eek: My electric bill has never been more than $70/mo.

I don't care what anyone says, the cost of running and maintaining one is a no brainer compared to the heath benifits of using one.
Click to expand...
You're obviously a "hot tub guy." :p
 
jimmydean

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
43,804
16,030
Portland, OR
My wife and I talk about getting one all the time. But we look at used ones and think it's a great idea until we see our neighbors in theirs (not a nice site) and fear what has gone on in it before we bought it.

Not sure if there is enough bleech in the world to get the image out of my head.
 
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