So, you want a Hot Tub or Spa. Great!

Expert Advice on Selecting a Hot Tub

You’re ready to invest in an easy-maintenance outdoor hot tub! Let your family enjoy pleasant relaxation, socializing, restorative bubbling hot water soaks and gentle water-jet massage treatments right in your own back yard. A well-constructed hot tub with all the features you desire is an excellent investment and this is the perfect season to get one.

Today’s easy-to-install, pre-made, high-tech hot tubs in a range of designs have come a long way since legendary inventor Roy Jacuzzi first added air jets to a standard bathtub. The following tips will help you choose the advanced technology, comfort, styling and durability that is right for you.

1. Plan Your Purchase
Begin by visualizing how your back yard will look and function when the hot tub is installed. The many models of hot tubs offer a wide range of different seating, jets and other features. Talk to your local dealer, who is experienced and knowledgeable about back yard design and hot tub installation, and will help you choose from many different options. Find good advice in the free planning guides for buying and placing a hot tub, offered by leading retailers and manufacturers on websites such as www.Jacuzzi.com or www.Sundancespas.com .

2. How Can I Protect My New Hot Tub?
Be sure that the bottom of the hot tub you choose has a weatherproof ABS plastic pan, which best protects the spa framework and components from moisture and other environmental elements.

3. How Can I Conserve Energy After My Hot Tub Is Installed?
Choose a model with full-foam insulation surrounding the hot tub for maximum heat retention. By conserving energy your hot tub will be less expensive to operate over time.

4. How Big Should My Pumps Be?
Many manufacturers talk about the horsepower of their pumps. Horsepower can be measured using a "service factor/break horsepower" or a "true rating" system. The first describes the initial thrust as the pump first engages, but immediately the pump output falls to a lower, continuous horsepower level. When a spa manufacturer claims they have a 6-hp pump, they are describing the initial thrust, not the horsepower the pump delivers as it runs. Efficient plumbing, better jets and flow control are more important than horsepower. A lower horsepower pump in a more efficient spa will produce just as much jet power as a higher horsepower pump and save on the electrical bills. And remember, you are looking for a comfortable but strong massage, and not looking for acceleration up a mountain road or a punishing hot water experience!

5. What About A Circulation/Filtration pump?
Today's finest spas feature a small circulation pump that continuously filters the water to keep it clean and clear. It also provides the necessary flow to allow the heater to constantly maintain your set temperature. Spas without circulation pumps must rely on the low speed of a larger horsepower pump turning on periodically to provide filtration and the flow required for heating. The circulation pump is the most efficient method to provide flow for filtration and heating while reducing operating costs.

6. What Will I Need For Electrical Hook-up?
Most Sundance spas or Jacuzzi Hot Tubs will need to be connected to 240V electrical service. There are built in options for breaker size depending on the model you choose. Most commonly the 3 pump 240v spas can be adapted for 30amp, 40amp, 50amp, or 60amp (check with Vintage Hot Tubs for the specification of the your spa or down load the Pre-Delivery Guides Jacuzzi - Sundance )
In both lines some hot tubs offer the option of operating on either 120V or 240V. While connecting to 120V (15amp) can be less involved, most customers prefer the benefits of the 240V (30amp or 40amp) spa, which include quicker heating time and better temperature maintenance during cold weather use. This is because the heater output is four times as great in a 240V spa versus a 120V spa. If you choose to connect your spa to 120V service, you must be certain that it is a dedicated circuit, not shared by any other appliance, and has amperage rating appropriate for the spa you select.

7. What Are the Best Hot Tub Jets?
Avoid hot tubs with poorly-designed jets that blast you with uncomfortably strong water pressure. Look for a jet system such as leading manufacturer Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs’s high-volume, low-pressure approach, designed to deliver just the right intensity for an invigorating, yet low-key, massage, or Sundance Spas Fluidix Intelli-Jets offering full directionality, control, and with no moving parts .Ask you r retailer if the jets used in their spas are designed by the spa manufacturer or purchased from a second source. Jets that are designed by the actual spa manufacturer are more likely to provide a more balanced and comfortable Hydro massage.

8. Should the Hot Tub Jets Mix More, or Less, Air with the Water?
The air/water mix controls the intensity of your hot tub massage. The best systems offer a half-and-half ratio of 50% air to 50% water that is ideal for soothing hydrotherapy. Air introduced around the jets softens the flow, even when the jets are powerful enough to reach deep muscle tissue.

9. What Kind of Seating Comes with a Hot Tub?
Hot tubs come with or without a lounge seat, a soaking seat that sits under a waterfall and various types of form-fitting therapy seats. Spas with barrier-free configurations allow you and your guests to move around the spa easily. Some models offer partially-submerged transition seats to ease the movement in and out of the water. “Get in and test different models; the choice depends on what's best for your body type. We encourage consumers to bring their bathing suit and test experience the hot tub for themselves to see what seats feel best at either our Victoria or Langford stores” advises Drew Christy of Vintage Hot Tubs.

10. How Big Is the Back Yard or Patio?
How large is the space for your hot tub? With limited room or a narrow access gate, look for a model less than 30” tall or a model with a small footprint. If your access to power is an issue consider an easy-to-use “convertible” model. Convertible spa packs can be wired to work effectively with either 110v or 220v. In Canada all spas or hot tubs, with heaters, must be “hard wired” (There are a couple of portable tubs that do not use a heater but rely instead on the heat generated by the motor- under certain circumstances these can be plugged in.) Be sure to consult your local codes before installing the wiring for your spa. Your retailer should always recommend you speak with a licensed electrician. For both safety and insurance reasons the final hook-up of your hot tubs needs to be completed by a licensed professional.

11. Should the Hot Tub Have a Cover?
Yes. Save energy by making sure that your hot tub comes with an insulating cover—one with locks to prevent kids from playing in the hot tub when adults are not supervising.

12. What Styles Are Available for the Outside of the Hot Tub?
The best choices for the “skirting” (the cabinetry that surrounds the hot tub and enhances its overall look) include advanced, weather-resistant synthetic materials designed to coordinate with your landscaping and that require no maintenance.

13. How Will I Know If the Hot Tub Is from a Quality Manufacturer?
Look for a manufacturer that has been in business a long time. Many top manufacturers have been around 30 years or more, so a consumer knows that the company has a long track record of standing behind their reputable products. Is the brand name of the Hot Tub the manufacturer’s or is it licensed? The licensing of well know names is becoming more common in almost all consumer goods. Unfortunately the licenser usually does not back or even endorse the product. Brands such as Jacuzzi® and Sundance Spas are the property of the manufacture and are used only to identify “real” Jacuzzi® /Sundance Spas products. Other original brand names include well known lines such as Hot Springs™ and Artesian Spas™.

14. What Special Hot Tub Features Will I Enjoy?
It’s fun to choose from a vast range of optional hot tub features. People love sparkling water features and waterfalls that enhance the beauty of the hot tub experience. Try out the special, soothing aromatherapy systems in a range of healing fragrances.
There are many accessories designed to enhance your enjoyment of your spa.
Cover lift systems- eliminate the potential struggle with your spas cover as you get in and out.
Surround lighting – adds not only an attractive finish to the hot Tub installation, but also provides added safety at night.
Steps, risers and decking- can dress you spa easily and affordably.
Entertainment options- everything from simple radio to high-tech stereos with subwoofers, MP3 plugs and docking stations for your iPod™ that can be operated from the hot tub’s floating remote control system, to TV is available. When deciding on the addition of audio/visual electronics consider the long term viability. While the audio components are fairly common and built to last, will you use them? As for TV, is this a feature that will be worth the initial out lay? Ask your dealer about replacements. If you still want a video component for your Hot Tub area, consider a separate stand alone unit. These all weather screens are tough and can handle the extreme environments thrown at them by the outdoor and confided indoor areas around your spa. As well, a separate video unit will not compromise the integrity of your spa.

15. Where Can I Find More Information?
For more helpful backyard design tips and suggestions, visit www.VintageHotTubs.com