What You Should Know Before Buying a Hot Tub
If you’re seriously considering purchasing a spa, you’ve come to the right people! At Spa Man, our mission is to make everything about your hot tub experience exceptional. We’ve compiled a brief list of common questions our customers have about hot tubs below to help you determine if this purchase is right for you.
Where will the hot tub be installed?
Wherever you plan to install your spa should have a weight-bearing load capable of supporting the weight of your spa, its water, and the people using it. The maximum filled weight of a portable spa can be as much as 6,000 lbs (2,722 kg), and a swim spa can be close to 20,000 lbs (9,072 kg) in addition to the weight of the occupants that use the spa. The spec sheets for all Bullfrog Spa models on our website specify each spa’s filled weight and hot tub dimensions. It’s important to note that the space should also be big enough to fit the spa, cover (when opened), and steps if needed. Need help? We’ll scope out your potential installation location for you and help you determine whether it will be adequate for your new hot tub.
How do I clean and maintain a hot tub?
Bullfrog Spas are designed to keep ongoing maintenance simple. Depending on how often you use your spa, you can expect to do one or more of the following on a regular basis:
Before each use: Check the water quality before every use. That means using the appropriate testing strips to measure alkalinity and pH levels. If the results of these tests are off, balance the chemicals before using the tub.
After each use: Close the cover. One of the best ways to protect your spa is by keeping it covered when it isn’t in use. This will also ensure that your water doesn’t need to be topped-off often.
Once a month: Clean the spa filter by removing the filter, lightly spraying it with a hose, and allowing it to dry completely before putting it back in the spa. You can also soak filters in a filter cleaner to ensure the removal of all dirt and debris buildup.
Every 4-6 months: Every now and then you’ll need to drain your spa, clean it, and fill it with fresh water. Depending on how many people use the hot tub and how often they use it, you should drain and refill your spa every four to six months.
While this is the ideal maintenance cadence for a healthy spa, its certainly not required. At a minimum, your hot tub should be maintained once a week with sanitizer being added weekly and pH balance, alkalinity measurements, etc. performed every other week.
Our team of hot tub experts is here to help you understand the ins and outs of caring for your spa. We provide hot tub maintenance through our customizable maintenance program for hundreds of customers’ personal residences and vacation rentals, so everyone can enjoy their spa without worrying whether the water is actually sanitary.
What are the maintenance costs?
You can expect to spend a few hundred dollars a year in maintenance costs if you’re maintaining the spa yourself. Here is a breakdown of the items your spa will need for optimal function each year:
Sanitizers
Oxidizers
Clarifiers
pH Balancers
Foam Suppressors
New filter
New water
What kind of jets do I want in a hot tub?
Bullfrog Spa’s patented JetPak® technology means that you can choose from up to 16 unique massages. Not only are they interchangeable, meaning you can place the JetPak in your favorite seat and switch it out with a different massage later, but you can also adjust the intensity of the massage. You won’t find this level of personalized massages in any other hot tub brand. We’ve listed the unique JetPak® massages here.
Should the hot tub be hard-wired or can it be plugged into an outlet?
While some kinds of hot tubs, like inflatable hot tubs, can be plugged into an ordinary outlet, the power requirements for most hot tub brands like Bullfrog Spas are higher and therefore must be hard-wired in by an electrician. Depending on the electrical requirements for your spa, our team can assist with minimal wiring or recommend a master electrician to complete the work before we install your spa.
What are the electricity costs?
Bullfrog Spas are the most energy efficient spa in their class. With 90% less plumbing than other brands and a 100% closed-cell, full-foam design that insulates the spa completely to prevent heat escape, you’ll use up to 28% less energy compared to other leading spa brands. Although there will be an average increase of $20-$30 in your electricity bill, investing in an energy efficient spa will lead to substantial savings in the long run.
How long does it take to heat up a hot tub after filling it up?
You can expect the average spa to heat up 3-5 degrees per hour.
Does the spa come with a cover?
Yes! When you purchase a spa from us, we will install your spa with a cover, cover lifter, and steps.
Do you sell saltwater spas?
No. While a saltwater spa may sound more appealing than a traditional spa, in reality they are often more expensive upfront, require just as much maintenance, and will likely need additional service due to the salt’s negative impact on the tub’s components.
Chemical Impacts: Saltwater tubs still contain chlorine because of the cell or cartridge used create a reaction (electrolysis) with the salt, of which chlorine results.
Maintenance Impacts: No matter which hot tub you buy, you will have to regularly test the water, balance the chemicals, and rinse filters. Because salt affects the pH of the water, a saltwater hot tub is more likely to have higher calcium levels than traditional hot tubs, meaning you’ll need to be more vigilant about regularly maintaining your hot tub by adding calcium remover to balance your spa water. And, where you can simply rinse the filters of a traditional spa and buy a new filter at least once a year, you must replace a saltwater spa’s cartridge every few months.
Salt Impacts: In addition to the eventual build-up of calcium residue in the tub, the saltwater is also fairly damaging to the tub’s components over time. Salt is corrosive and can damage elements such as the heaters, pump seals, bearings in the jets, and any stainless-steel fittings.
Have more questions we can help answer? Contact us today or head over to our Granby showroom! While we know Bullfrog Spas are incredible, don’t take just our word for it. This great article highlights the pros and cons of the brand and gives great insight into what you can expect when you buy a Bullfrog Spa.