Advice on Choosing the Right Hot Tub

"Every 30 minutes you spend in a hot tub, you leave behind about a pint of stuff, biological stuff," says Joe Sexton II, owner of Caldera Hot Tubs in Holmen, Wisconsin. Biological stuff includes body oils, sweat, hair, dirt, and other crud. When I heard that, I knew I was done with public hot tubs forever. Yuck!

According to Sexton, water quality is the main problem with hot tubs. "If you don't get off on the right foot with the water balancing, in five years you will not own the tub," he said.

Now you're aware of the most common pitfall of owning a hot tub. Can you overcome grungy water and enjoy a hot tub for years? Definitely.

To help customers maintain clean water, Sexton's company sends email or snail mail reminders about maintenance on a weekly basis, and sends treatment packs as well. "We premeasure the chemicals based on the kind of tub and the number of gallons and we drop it in the mail every seven days with a list of instructions," Sexton said.

Besides chemical treatment, hot tubs require filtration, said Casey Staige, co-owner, with wife Melissa, of Hot Spring Spas of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Basic models use a standard paper filter, while higher-end models employ a washable filter originally used in the medical field.

How it works
Compared to the tub in your bathroom, a hot tub has many extra components. An electric or gas heater keeps the water at the desired temperature. A pump circulates the water through the filtration system and heater, and supplies the water jets. The tub itself, or shell, is typically made from vacuum-formed acrylic or thermoplastic. You'll see a huge range of colors and finishes available for the shell. The cabinet is made from plastic, which is designed to be maintenance free, or wood. Sizes range from small two-person tubs up to colossal tubs for ten or more people.

Prices and options vary greatly. Basic round hot tubs with seating for four to five people, few jets, and few options cost less than $2500. High-end models with dozens of jets, funky lighting, a built-in stereo system, and more may cost more than $13,000. The high-end models have more jets, up to several dozen, that are directed at your feet, back, neck, calves, and wrists.

But don't equate price with quality. Staige said he sells a tub for under $3000 that's been rated by J.D. Power as one of the five best-built hot tubs. And though some tubs come from Mexico, Staige said, all his tubs are made in the United States. The warranty ranges from two years on low-end models to five years and up on higher-end models.

Where to put a hot tub
When buying a hot tub, keep in mind the site, electricity requirements, proximity to the house and convenient doors, the view, and ventilation, if installed inside.

Most people place their tub outside, on a deck or patio, close to the house. If you're placing your tub on a patio, a 4" concrete slab is recommended. Many owners place the tub on their deck after some basic reinforcing. If you want to place the tub inside, you'll need to find a doorway, such as a sliding-glass door, that will accommodate it. And because of the large volume of warm water, the tub will increase humidity in the house when it's being used, so ventilating with a fan is a must.

Getting the tub into place is best left to the pros. Large tubs may weigh more than half a ton when empty, and are cumbersome as well. Dealers have specialized trailers and dollies that simplify placing the tub where you want it, and they can do it with no damage. (see photos)

If your home has limited access for the trailer and dollies, you may need to rent a crane to move the tub into place. According to Staige, a crane rental costs about $250.

Electrical and plumbing
Some small hot tubs run on 110-volt service, which is convenient if you have standard outlets nearby. Most tubs require 220 volts, and a visit from an electrician to install the service. Staige said the service call costs $400 and up. And if you choose a hot tub with a natural gas or propane heater, you'll need a gas line nearby. These are not do-it-yourself projects; call a professional.

Buyers and benefits
Who buys hot tubs? Sexton said, "Guys are the drivers; it's the guy that drives the sale."

According to Staige, his most typical customer is a couple in their 40s with kids. "I hear it quite a bit," he said. "'It just brought our family closer together.'"

Jim and Patty Fuller of Onalaska, Wisconsin, have owned their tub, which they purchased from Sexton, since May.

"It's something we've always wanted," said Patty Fuller. "My husband travels and sits in his car a lot, and wanted a hot tub for his stiff back." The Fullers have three children who helped choose the tub. "We chose by taking the children in their swimsuits to try out the tubs, to see if there was a seat appropriate for a child of three-and-a-half," Fuller said. "I'm surprised at how much I enjoy it, too," she added. "I was more reluctant. I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I do."

Steve Hansen is a freelance writer in La Crosse with hot tub envy.