Hot Tub Help!!

andycook · andycook's Garage

We are thinking of purchasing a new hot tub for our sunroom. Does anyone have any insight or advice as to what to buy or what to stay away from. Past experiences? Are they expensive to run and maintain. Thanks in advance.

Joeaksa · 03-31-2006, 06:18 AM

Get a very good insulated cover and that will save on heating costs. I made a device that allows you to open the cover and get it off of the hot tub with one hand, in one movement and love it.

Find what you want then look one size larger. You do not want to be crammed in one, even if she is cute. More jets and pumps the better. Had one for years and love them... so do the ladies!

Big Ed · 03-31-2006, 07:02 AM

Try this forum, was invaluable to me in my search. Saved me big $$ too, as I learned what real world prices could be had (over $3K under list for my particular tub).

Hot tub forum

Good luck.

Big Ed · 03-31-2006, 07:04 AM

I almost forgot your question about cost to run. Dealers told me to expect $40 a month increase in my electric bill. It went up about $100/mo.

Joeaksa · 03-31-2006, 07:29 AM

I keep mine about 95 degrees unless I am going to get in it, then crank it up to 102 a few hours beforehand.

Mine is on a timer and runs only at night, after 9 pm when the electricity is cheaper here. My bill is about $10 a month higher but then this is Arizona. You guys in ME will be a lot higher.

Tim Hancock · 03-31-2006, 07:56 AM

Ours gets used daily, we just flip one side open and rarely use the jets. I wish we had a smaller one because we rarely have more than two people in it. IMO, the smaller and simpler the better.

Steve Carlton · 03-31-2006, 07:58 AM

Just be sure to keep it properly stocked. Other than that, I'm useless here...

Joeaksa · 03-31-2006, 08:03 AM

Steve,

Does she have any friends???

JonT · 03-31-2006, 09:31 AM

Make sure you go to several retail stores and physically sit in them and feel if you fit in the chairs and how the jets feel. As funny as it sounds I can't stress it enough. Some chairs are too small and the jets just don't feel good. I have a Sundance with a lounge chair and love it. Seats 6 comfortably.

Moses · 03-31-2006, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JonT
Make sure you go to several retail stores and physically sit in them and feel if you fit in the chairs and how the jets feel. As funny as it sounds I can't stress it enough. Some chairs are too small and the jets just don't feel good. I have a Sundance with a lounge chair and love it. Seats 6 comfortably.

I wouldn't buy anything but a Sundance. Great pressure, sturdy hardware. The chair jets blow so hard you have to brace your feet to stay in the chair. This is mine;

JonT · 03-31-2006, 04:06 PM

Moses--my Sundance is very similar--same layout. I think the model is the Cameo. The chair in the top left corner with the 12 jets is fantastic for back massage. The lounge chair is great for reading mags while relaxing. I've got a tv I set inside the house next to a window with the sound ran out through outdoor speakers. Great fun.

Vipergrün · 04-01-2006, 06:16 AM

I have one of the "Cold Nights" series by Gulf Coast Spas. They have 24x7 phone support and their product has been top notch so far. I keep mine at 102 ALL THE TIME and filter 2x daily. My bill increased 40-50 and that's living in Colorado. The extra insulation and thick top really helps.

Paul K · Paul K's Garage

Have you looked at Bullfrog spas? Kinda cool system- interchangeable 'jetpacks' and a different delivery/circulation system. I think we'll get one when the new deck is finished.

http://www.bullfrogspas.com/

Cheers,

Paul.

dad911 · 04-01-2006, 07:42 AM

Sundance here also, same layout as moses. Replaced a cheaper, less powerful Coleman.

andycook · andycook's Garage

Thanks for the input guys. I just bought a Viking supreme 5 person. 1 year old, half price delivered. Under $2500. Seemed like a good deal. Nice tub. 30ish jet, 5 HP motor, 4 pumps, yada yada yada...

More questions...Do any of you have your hot tub in an enclosed room? I am building a 12x14 sunroom and the intet was to sink the hot tub into the floor. That way you can step down into it rather then climbing up into it.

I would be installing two 100cfm exhaust fans in the ceiling, along with a big ceiling fan. The room will have 3 Full length functional windows and a 6' patio door. Room is going to be finished in V-Matched pine with ceramic tile flooring.

I was going to insulate the ***** out of the area around the tub under the floor. Maybe 12-14" of R-15 completely surrounding the tub.

Last item, does anyone know if an LCD TV will be affected by the moisture in the room. I wanted to mount a 20" lcd up on the wall and put in a new surround sound system.

Again, thanks for the advice. Any info on the plans I mention above will br greatly appreciated.

Maybe when I get this done, I can finally work on my Porsche again!!

fastpat · 04-08-2006, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Moses
I wouldn't buy anything but a Sundance. Great pressure, sturdy hardware. The chair jets blow so hard you have to brace your feet to stay in the chair. This is mine;

Oh, man, cupholders!

dad911 · 04-08-2006, 08:17 AM

If you sink it, you will need access for the internals. Is there a basement underneath? Typically one side has to remain open. I would think the smell of the chemicals may be an issue indoors. Also consider a drain, so you don't have to pump the water out to empty it.

I like it in the outdoors. We use ours more in the winter. Nothing like sitting in the tub during a snowfall.....

Moneyguy1 · 04-08-2006, 08:24 AM

Joe..

YOu have off peak pricing in PHX?

And here we are in the state's backwater, paying the same per KWH no matter what time of day.....

Rats!!

fastpat · 08-05-2006, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Moses
I wouldn't buy anything but a Sundance. This is mine;

I meant to ask you, Moses, which of the Sundance models is this, the Cameo 880? Did you have to build a supporting structure, or is that a part of the tub system?

Hugh R · 02:24 PM

Three words..."Vaseline Petroleum Jelly"