Are you planning to invest in a hot and relaxing bath experience? If that’s a yes, then surely, your mind is playing around with the thoughts of buying a hot tub.
Hot tubs are good investments worth every dollar you spend buying them. However, it comes with good costs as well when you don’t know how to do hot tub maintenance, leading to many hot tub issues properly. That is why before purchasing a hot tub, make sure that you know how this wonder works.
This article is your quick guide to hot tub ownership, knowing how a hot tub works, and the things you need to know before purchasing one. So, stick to this article until the end.
What Is A Hot Tub?
Let us kick off this guide by knowing what a hot tub is in the first place.
Typically, an above-ground spa is referred to as a “hot tub.” It is an entirely self-contained appliance that offers people a relaxing bath thanks to the heated water and jets. Although there are various hot tub manufacturers and models, and certain variations exist, the fundamental functions of all hot tubs are essentially the same. This mechanical design also enables basic hot tub functions like heating and water containment.
What Are The Basic Parts Of The Hot Tub?
In knowing how a hot tub work, it is essential to know what its basic parts are as well as how all of their functions produce a warm water bath.
Here are the basic hot tub parts and their functions:
Hot Tub Shell
The water is kept in the shell. They come in a broad variety of forms, dimensions, and colors. Most have chairs built right in through molding. Additionally, the shell features holes wherein jets can be mounted. The water is circulated by the jets.
An extra layer often aids in keeping the heat inside on the bottom of the shell.
Hot Tub Filter
Because they maintain the clarity and cleanliness of the water in hot tubs, hot tub filters have a key role to perform. Regular filter replacement and cleaning are essential.
Topside Control
The water temperature is adjusted via the topside control. It also regulates the lights, compressors, and blowers in addition to the water temperature.
Hot Tub’s Pump
Your hot tub’s pumps move the water back and forth. They assist in running the water filter and jets. They serve as the central component of the filtration system for your hot tub.
Moreover, the pum[ps also serves several functions, such as the following:
- The pumps filter and assist in heating the water while operating at low speed. A thermostat and a spa pack manage them.
- The pumps drive the jets while operating at high speed. High-pressure steam is made possible by the spa pack oxygen valve, which also controls the jets.
- The nozzle, a restricted portion of the jets, is how they suck air through it to operate. The individual seats in the hot tub are soothed and massaged by the pressurized effect created by this action.
Spa Pack: Heating Element and Controller
A hot tub heater and controller are included with the spa box. The hot tub’s controller manages every operation, including heating, heating up, and turning on the jets. The heater heats the spa as water flows through it.
Hot Tub Oxonators
Spa operators use these more frequently to maintain the hot tub water as clean as possible. They frequently are an optional thing. If you add one, you must put it in the same place as the heater.
Ozone gas is produced by an Ozonator and then injected into the hot tub’s water. The amount of sanitizing chemicals required is decreased since the ozone cleans up contaminants in the water.
Ozonators come in two varieties: corona discharge (CD) and ultraviolet light (UV). The longevity, efficiency, and size of CD ozonators are all longer. The CD Ozonator is the most popular because of all these qualities.
How Does The Hot Tub Plumbing Work?
Now that we already know the basic hot tub parts and their functions, it is time to learn how these parts work together to perform their basic functions.
Let us first look at the plumbing of the hot tubs. Circulation, filtration, and heating are the three basic components of hot tub plumbing. The water never leaves any of the three because they are all enclosed systems except for natural evaporation.
1. Hot Tub Circulation
Water circulation throughout a hot tub is known as circulation. It is crucial because it helps keep the hot tub water clean and inhibits the formation of microorganisms. Pumps are unnecessary with circulators since they use gravity to transfer hot tub water from one side of the hot tub to the other.
2. Hot Tub Filtration
Water contaminants are eliminated by filtration. Paper cartridge filters are the most often used filters. For optimal filtration, cartridge filters must be routinely washed and cleaned. They should also be changed on a regular basis based on the size of the filter.
3. Hot Tub Heating Systems
Heaters maintain the water’s temperature so you may relax in the tub and take advantage of several therapeutic advantages while sitting comfortably. Solar panels, convection heaters, or electric heaters may all be found in hot tubs.
How Does The Hot Tub Control System Works?
Other than the hot tub process that involves all the major hot tub functions, there are also certain types of controls need in to allow hot tub smooth hot tub operation.
Hot tub control systems function differently than those used in regular swimming pools. Hot tubs typically have two controls: flow rate and temperature.
More recent spas contain controls for features like bubbling, lights, and music.
The amount of heat applied to the water is managed via temperature controls. Flow controls control the speed at which water flows through the spa. A control panel serves obvious purposes, such as turning on and off other features.
1. Controls On The Top Side
While using the hot tub, you can reach the topside controls, which are situated inside the tub’s body. These are the most typical for present hot tubs and are quite practical.
2. Controls On The Spa-Side
Controls for the spa’s side are situated next to the hot tub’s heating element and pumps. They do the same tasks and frequently have a remote control. High-end systems that employ this concept incorporate the remote within the tub’s structure and wire it in after installation.
What Are The Different Types Of Hot Tubs?
Although all traditional hot tubs function the same, you might wnat to check out all the types available for a hot tub.
Inflatable Hot Tubs
Anyone interested in trying out the hot tub way of life should start with an inflatable hot tub. Although they can be fun, they have very few lights and whistles. Jets exist, but they only generate bubbles when heat is turned off.
Although it is permitted, using inflatable hot tubs outdoors is not advised below a particular temperature.
Portable Hot Tubs
Prefabricated hot tubs are another name for portable hot tubs. Since moving this hot tub would involve a lot of hard lifting, the label “portable” is somewhat misleading.
Portable hot tubs are available in a range of sizes and materials. They typically cost a little less and use less energy than other types. You have the choice of putting one in the ground or putting it on the floor, and whether to put it inside or outside of your house. It might also have decking built around it to give it a more distinctive appearance.
Air Jetted And Wet-Jetted Hot Tubs
The mechanics of these two kinds of hot tubs are the fundamental distinctions.
- Hot tubs with air jets use air jets to draw in outside air, warm it up, and blow it into the hot pool. This allows you to take pleasure in a continuous flow of rolling water.
- Hot tubs with water jets, on the other hand, collect the water and blast it out of the jets under high pressure.
Wood-Fired Hot Tubs
A wood-burning hot tub operates on the idea of gravity. Inside a wood burner, there are pipes all throughout. Water rushes upward from the pipelines at the base into the tub as the fire inside them warms it. Cooler water enters the furnace through the pipes from the tub’s bottom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions to guide you in knowing how a hot tub works.
Do Hot Tubs Require Electricity?
No wires or power are required for wood-fired tubs, just dried firewood. However, most electric hot tubs are made to work with 240 Volt electricity supply. These hot tub electrical systems need to be professionally hardwired by a certified electrician and need a 40 to 60 Amp breaker.
Since electric tubs need energy to operate, your maintenance expenses will be influenced by how frequently you use your hot tub and the electricity expense in your area.
How Does A Hot Tub Keep Warm?
High-quality hot tubs contain insulation panels on its side and hot tub covers to keep the hot water as warm as possible. Additionally, they have heating elements that use less energy and less time to add heat when needed.
Why Can You Only Spend 15 Minutes In a Hot Tub?
Nausea, dizziness, and lightheadedness are some symptoms experienced by hot tub owners who go beyond the ideal time of 15 minutes when soaking in the hot tub. It is important to stay on this level as the heat is far from the body temperature and may cause health concerns to hot tub users.
What Are The Disadvantages Of A Hot Tub?
Here are some of the common disadvantages 0f having a hot tub:
- Some purchasers experience sticker shock when they learn the hot tub’s initial price. Depending on the size, type, and features, a brand-new hot tub can potentially cost thousands of dollars.
- Even while the cost of a new hot tub may include installation, there can be other unstated costs.
- Some obtrusive critters that can ruin your outdoor area might also come with maintenance. Any type of water feature can create an inviting environment for backyard pests like mosquitoes. Like this, mice can settle into a hot tub installation and become an infestation that needs to be controlled.
Conclusion
Now that you know what hot tubs are as well as how their basic functions work, then you are now ready to be a hot tub owner and purchase one. Make sure you choose a high-quality hot tub that suits your location and your need. Refer to this article when you go shopping for your new hot tub!
