You've made the decision to purchase a hot tub for your home, and it's an investment you'll undoubtedly enjoy for years to come! If you think the decision-making is done because you've opted to purchase a hot tub, think again. You still have a number of small, yet important, questions to answer before you install a new hot tub on your property (inside or out). Below is a rundown of the questions you should ask yourself as you contemplate your big purchase.
Is This Safe for Me?
Hot tubs are a great way to entertain your friends and family, as well as enjoy supreme relaxation after a rough day or week at work. However, hot tubs should be used with particular attention and care. The average temperature of the water ranges from 100 F to 102 F, with a maximum recommended temperature of 104 F. While it is good for relaxation and relief of sore muscles or joints, those with heart conditions or other medical issues should consult a doctor before using a hot tub. Keep this in mind as you think of all the potential users of your new hot tub!
How are You Going to Use the Hot Tub?
Obviously you are going to be using the tub for entertainment and relaxation, but what level of usage do you expect? Are you investing in this hot tub for use on a daily basis, or infrequently as you see fit? Is this more for entertaining or do you intend to use it heavily for hydrotherapy purposes? You'll want to research the energy use of a tub you'll use on a daily basis, as well as the standby power use of a model you will use infrequently.
If you plan to simply entertain and add to the environment of your home with a hot tub, certain features (such as the number and type of jets) don't matter as much. However, a hydrotherapy tub should have lots of high-powered jets to cater to your needs.
Where are You Installing the Tub?
This is the biggest question you need to answer. Are you going to place your new hot tub indoors or outdoors? An outdoor hot tub needs to have good insulation so that it holds in the heat and saves you from constantly running the pumps and heaters to keep the water at the proper temperature. This is particularly important if you live in a cooler climate.
If you are placing the tub indoors, you need to give careful consideration to where you install. The room you choose must be well ventilated to avoid rot, mold, and mildew buildup. The physical space should be well supported (if located on an upper level), and the location and voltage of outlets is also worthy of consideration. It is also a good idea to measure doorways and entry points to ensure you can get to the tub to its desired location.
Buying a new hot tub for your home is like buying the home itself. You would never buy a home without stopping to consider whether or not it meets your needs. You should exercise the same caution and consideration when buying your next hot tub.