Spas + Hot Tubs
Shopping for Spas
Spas, Hot Tubs and Jacuzzis are words that attempt to describe the same product. A stand-alone unit (no plumbing required) will provide a hot water, muscle-soothing experience, combined with massage-like jet action to invigorate the body.
When shopping for a Hot Tub there are many things to consider. We will attempt to walk you through the shopping process and hopefully provide you with information you can use.
Questions to answer before leaving home.
1) Where is the Hot Tub going to go?
Answering this question will help you limit your Hot Tub shopping to units that will fit your location.
Indoors
For Hot Tubs to be located indoors, the Hot Tub selected must fit into a doorway, approximately 30-32 inches wide and 78-82 inches high. Your door may be different so please measure before coming to the store. The Hot Tub must also be able to be moved inside the house to the final location. Please measure all doorways prior to shopping in order to save you time by only looking at units that will fit.
Outdoors
Outside placement of a Hot Tub is usually not restricted in size, but because most Hot Tubs range from 6'x 6' to 8'x 8', you may want to measure your deck or patio to determine how large a unit you can reasonably fit on your site.
2) What site preparation must I do?
Since most Hot Tubs are placed outside, the homeowner must provide a level surface on which to place the Hot Tub. A concrete slab works, as well as a properly constructed wood deck (2x10's, 16" on center, no span larger than 8' between support posts. In addition, a flat surface constructed out of pea-gravel will suffice. Just try and remember the unit weighs 600 to 1,000 pounds (empty) and for a safer delivery both for the unit and the delivery personnel, please do not attach any railings until after the Hot Tub has been delivered.
3) For what purpose are you investing in a Hot Tub?
- Therapeutic – Someone in your immediate family has a specific ailment that would benefit from hot water therapy. If this is the main reason for your purchase, it is very important that the family member sit in any unit you are considering purchasing (wet if possible, but dry for sure) to ensure they are receiving therapy from the unit where they need it most.
- Stress & Relaxation – Largest category of Hot Tub buyers. Looking for a quick daily or every other day retreat from the hectic pace of their lives. Great for families looking to spend some time together without the interruption of television, telephones, and instant messaging.
- Social – Party, Party, Party. Primary emphasis is on a large tub, lots of water, room for entertaining, and a place to socialize.
4) What are the electrical requirements?
Most Hot tubs will require a 220 dedicated line with a GFI disconnect located outside between the breaker box (inside the house) and the spa (outside the house). This 220 line will pull between 40 and 60 amps.
If your house does not have enough electrical power to support these requirements, there are other portable Hot Tub units that simply plug into a regular household outlet (softub.com).