Draining your hot tub if you won't be using it in summer is, as mentioned earlier, a good idea. However, leaving it exposed to the sun isn't. The problem is that the sun's UV rays can be exceptionally damaging to acrylic. It's so detrimental that leaving the tub exposed can void your hot tub's warranty.
Yes, you can leave a hot tub empty. It is essential to drain the hot tub thoroughly to ensure no water remains in the pipes and hoses. If water remains in the spa, the pipes could freeze in the winter.
Simply lower the temperature of your hot tub to roughly 85°F or turn off your heater altogether. Leaving your air jets running will help circulate the cool water throughout your hot tub quickly and efficiently.
Usually, 10 to 14 days. It will not freeze overnight. Leave the cover securely fastened in the event of a power outage and keep the cabinet door shut. Additionally, you could put a light bulb or space heater in the cabinet around the mechanicals to buy a few more days.
Alternately, don't drain it and leave it empty for extended periods. Water left in the pipes and equipment can grow bacteria biofilm, which is difficult to eradicate. Plus, without water, seals and gaskets become dry and begin to leak. Therefore, make sure to not leave your hot tub sitting empty.
Your hot tub will not freeze overnight unless the water stops circulating and you live in the Arctic. If your hot tub loses power, and assuming there is a cover and reasonable insulation, you will have at least a few days before water starts to freeze.
Tip : Keep a hose in your house during the winter months, so it's easier to fill up your hot tub when needed. You will need to thaw the outside water spigot with hot water to unfreeze the tap, and then hook up your hose and fill up the hot tub.
If your spa will likely go unused during the winter season, however, draining it may be a good idea. Draining your hot tub for the winter months can eliminate operating costs, prevent algae growth, and save you from having to do aggravating maintenance in the freezing cold!
Draining Your Hot Tub For Winter
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.
Once it's empty and you've removed the sump pump, your spa is ready for surface cleaning. Spray your hot tub shell with hot tub cleaner, diluted white vinegar, or diluted bleach. Pay special attention to nooks and crannies where mildew, algae, or bacteria could be hiding.
Setting Hot Tub Water Temperature in the Summer
As a rule of thumb, many users keep their hot tub set at temperatures ranging between 97-99 degrees.
You should plan to drain your spa completely for a thorough cleaning every three to four months. You should drain and clean your hot tub more often if you're using it regularly, or having a lot of guests in it, or both. The time it takes to drain your hot tub is usually about an hour.
Yes, you should leave your hot tub on all of the time. Hot tubs are designed to always be switched on and it's more economical to keep the water hot than it is to heat it up from cold each time you want to use it.
Hot tub water contains dangerous chemicals that makes it bad for anyone to drink or use. As a result, it will definitely not have a positive effect on your plants either. In fact, the chlorine and the mixture of salts and cosmetic products that the water contains can even end up killing your lawn.
Place your submersible pump in the hot tub footwell or deepest point. Run the hose to your drain. Turn the pump on and let the spa drain. When the hot tub is empty, turn off the pump, remove it from the spa, detach the hose, and return it to storage.
We've mentioned water temperature above, and you may be wondering, “what is the ideal water temperature?” We suggest keeping your hot tub between 97 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. This is because the colder it is outside, the longer it will take for a hot tub to heat up.
Your hot tub comes equipped with a drain spigot, which is located on the outside of the tub, near the bottom rim. (Some models have two spigots, a primary and an auxiliary. The primary spigot is the one you'll use to drain the hot tub; the auxiliary one is for bleeding the internal lines.)
Water care is something you can easily manage yourself, and with normal use, your hot tub water will last up to 12 months before it needs to be drained and refilled.
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.
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.
*A hot tub can be left without power up to 3 days without risk of freezing, IF you follow these tips: 1. Keep hot tub cover closed and locked in place.
For a Fully-Foamed hot tub to start to freeze the temperature needs to be below 28 degrees F for at least 36 Hours straight. Even if it does get that cold if your hot tub & pumps are still operating, the water is circulating and will not freeze.
The maximum temperature of any given hot tub is almost always 104 degrees. 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.