Heating a hot tub to a safe and comfortable temperature of 100 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit usually takes about four hours; it may range from three to eight hours. Generally, water heats up at 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit per hour.
A hot tub will always heat up faster with jets. This is because it disburses the heated water throughout the tub more efficiently and breaks up any cold pockets hanging around in the pipes. And you can also put a cover over the hot tub with the heater and jets going to trap the heat inside.
If your hot tub is located inside, and the air temp is around 76 degrees, it will take about 4 hours to heat up your spa to 100 degrees. The lower the outside temps the longer you will have to wait before your spa is ready. Therefore, by leaving the cover on while it's heating up you can help it warm up faster.
Temperature Limits
It is important to ensure that you stay under the recommended Maximum Temperature for Hot Tubs, which is 40°C/104°F. By exceeding the 40°C/104°F recommended temperature limit, you are putting your body at risk – let's all stay safe so we can carry on enjoying our tubs!
So, what is the ideal hot tub temperature when not in use? A good rule of thumb to follow is always keeping your hot tub's temperature 5 degrees below what it usually is.
The condition of your hot tub's components such as the water heater, pump, cover and even the jets affect how quickly your hot tub will reach its ideal temperature. If some of these components are wearing out or damaged, it can take much longer to reach the temperature you desire.
Regular hot tub shocking is inevitable to keep your water clean and safe for use. Dead skin and other elements like hair may end up dropping in the hot tub, leaving the tub in a mess. It is essential to shock the hot tub frequently – at least once every week.
The maximum safe recommended hot tub temperature is 40°C, as anything higher than this can be dangerous, posing serious health risks to users.
The majority of hot tub users prefer a water temperature in the range of 100°F-102°F. 104°F is the standard maximum temperature, which some users also prefer. Always consult a physician before getting in the hot tub while pregnant.
Even considering these factors, a 110v hot tub will heat by one degree every 30 minutes to one hour. 220v hot tubs heat faster, at around one degree every 10 to 20 minutes.
Don't walk away or allow yourself to be distracted while filling the tub as it will fill more quickly than you think – it only take about 30-45 minutes to fill most tubs depending on the water pressure in your area.
One question we sometimes get asked is should I leave my hot tub on all the time? The answer is yes! Hot tubs are designed to be left on permanently and this is how they work best. Of course, they'll need to be drained regularly but for the most part, they are left on 24/7.
Winter is a wonderful season to use a hot tub. The hot water & massage breathes life back to frozen feet and aching joints. Instead of winterizing the spa for the cold, why not make the most of your investment and enjoy it? New, energy saving hot tubs stay hot and ready all winter, without adding to your electric bill.
Health Benefits
The heat widens blood vessels, which sends nutrient-rich blood throughout your body. Warm water also brings down swelling and loosens tight muscles. And the water's buoyancy takes weight off painful joints. A dip in the hot tub might also help your mental state.
You should put chlorine in your hot tub at least once a week. However, some people prefer to add a small amount after each use. Finding the best water care routine will depend on how often and how many people use it. Chlorine levels should be between 1.5 and 3.0 ppm.
Chemicals in your hot tub water can be a delicate balance. So it's crucial to maintain the levels of pH, Alkalinity, and Chlorine or Bromine, also known as sanitizers. You should wait 12 hours before entering the hot tub when you've added either chlorine or bromine to allow it to take effect properly.
After NON-CHLORINE shock wait 10-15 minutes before entering. After chlorine shock it can take up to 24 hours to clear. Therefore it is recommended to use non-chlorine shock. It is always recommended to test with a PH strip again before entering.
According to CPSC staffers, the use of hot tubs at water temperatures above the normal body temperatures can cause drowsiness which may lead to unconsciousness and subsequently result in drowning.
If your hot tub won't heat the water properly, it could be the heater element or low flow from your pump. Most heating failure result from corrosion caused by low PH in water supply. Any PH below 7.0 damages the heating element and trips the GFCI breaker.
The pump units heat the water by approx. 1ºC – 1.5ºC an hour. To heat the water from cold can take 24-48 hours.
On the other hand, most hot tubs have a minimum temperature of about 85 or 90 degrees. There are exceptions, though. Some hot tubs, such as those which use AnyTemp® spa technology, can reach temperatures as low as 62 degrees.
Modern manufacturers advertise the cost to run their hot tubs at about one dollar per day, with $50 per month at the high end. The energy cost of a hot tub varies based mainly on the heater, which usually draws between 1,500 watts or 6,000 watts. The pump is another prime energy user at 1,500 watts.
Although we recommend using your hot tub as normal during winter, some users will prefer to winterise (drain and turn off) their spa. This needs to be done thoroughly to ensure no issues occur when the hot tub is empty.
It is recommended that Lay‑Z‑Spa water is changed regularly, and at least once every 1‑3 months. The frequency of water changes should reflect the degree of use of the hot tub, as well as the results of chemical testing.