question about spas/hot tubs

[wdfifteen]

Gas or electric heat? I have both NG and propane within 8 feet of the site, so that is appealing. Electric will be a bit harder to supply to the site.
Any suggestions on brands and features?

[billybek]

I miss my hot tub.
Especially the time machine function.....
I have natural gas within feet of where my tub was located but had an electrically heated tub.
Don't think I have seen a nat gas tub.

[Paul T]

AFAIK, all of the off the shelf models run on electric, whereas most custom jobs use a pool type heater that runs on NG or Propane. Custom is really the way to go if you can do it, because you can keep the water temp relatively low when not in use and then crank it up 30 mins prior to use and it'll be good to go. Less wasted energy and easier on equipment, but obviously a lot more $ then a fully enclosed unit. The all in one jobs use a very small electric heater and stay up to temp all the time. My knowledge is limited though, and there may be much more newer tech out there today than I'm familiar with...good luck, you will enjoy either way!

[ckelly78z]

Our "Hot Springs" spa has been one of best purchases that we made 25 years ago. We run ours on 110V, which means that either the jets run, or the heater with a circulation pump operating when the heater is running. If we would have set the same tub up for 220V, then both the heater, and jets could run simultaneously. We keep it at 105 degrees, so even with the cover off running the jets on a 20 degree day, it is still warm enough after an hour of operation (no reason to rewire the house for 220V). In 25 years, we have replaced the cover twice, and had to get a new pump once.

Ours is an all in one unit, with rigid insulation that doesn't fall out when moved, and could honestly be placed anywhere you have 110V, even a rooftop, or backyard.

[mgatepi]

I have owned a few Hot tubs and let me tell you the only way to go is a Hot Springs with the ACE water care system. It is pricey, but if you want clean clear water without a lot of maintenance it is the only way to go!!! You will hear lots of stories from non HS owners and believe me they don't know what they are talking about. Most people don't understand a salt system with the ACE. It is by far superior than anything on the market in regard to clean, clear, smell and the feel on your body.

[berettafan]

I think the bigger question regarding hot tubs is can you afford the requisite Corvette?

[mgatepi]

Hmmm I don't own a corvette....perhaps this is your dream?

[RKDinOKC]

Get a big cast iron pot and use gas logs all around it. Do the area up alike a head hunter grass hut villiage with totems. When friends come over for tubbing, sneak off and come back dressed as a head hunter with a big scary mask and poke at them with a sharp stick or start slicing potatoes and carrots into the tub.

[Nine, Frau!]

I have a 140 gallon softub and dream of an 08 Corvette. This is my fourth softub and have loved each one. I'm down to the smallest one now. I'm guessing Corvette ownership will be equally awesome.

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by RKDinOKC

Get a big cast iron pot and use gas logs all around it. Do the area up alike a head hunter grass hut villiage with totems. When friends come over for tubbing, sneak off and come back dressed as a head hunter with a big scary mask and poke at them with a sharp stick or start slicing potatoes and carrots into the tub.

This sounds more like a Bugs Bunny/Elmer Fudd episode !

[cabmandone]

To me, natural gas hands down. Best thing is, if propane gets to a point where it's cheaper than NG, just get a conversion kit for the gas valve and swap it over, not a hard thing to do.

[Rednine11]

I have never seen one setup on propane. sounds like a good idea actually. after having a couple small 110 units and buying larger 220 units I would never buy another 110

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by RKDinOKC

Get a big cast iron pot and use gas logs all around it. Do the area up alike a head hunter grass hut villiage with totems. When friends come over for tubbing, sneak off and come back dressed as a head hunter with a big scary mask and poke at them with a sharp stick or start slicing potatoes and carrots into the tub.

A more doable tactic would be to get a bunch of plastic vegetables and just leave 'em in the tub for when you having the guests over for dinner.

[wdfifteen]

[QUOTE=Paul T;9865057]AFAIK, all of the off the shelf models run on electric, whereas most custom jobs use a pool type heater that runs on NG or Propane. Custom is really the way to go if you can do it, because you can keep the water temp relatively low when not in use and then crank it up 30 mins prior to use and it'll be good to go. /QUOTE]

This is a feature I like. We may only be in it once or twice a week, or we may be in it every day. We haven't lived with one yet. I know when we rent cabins with a hot tub we're in it with cigars and martinis or bottle of wine all afternoon.

_

Of course that would be difficult to do every afternoon, but we would try.
If we turn out to be twice a week users gas seems better, let it cool until we want to use it and crank it up. According to web sites I've visited, electric raised the temp of a small spa 2-5 degrees per hour, while gas raises it 1-2 degrees a minute. If we use it every day we would maintain the temp all the time, and electric would be better. But we don't know how we would use it until we live with it a while.

[ted]

ours is 500 gallon, 220v.
Its always 101 degrees, filter and heater run an hour twice a day.
helps to have a spa step and a cover lift.
https://www.spadepot.com/CoverMate-III---Side-Mount-P9338C49.aspx?zmam=55673001&zmas=1&zmac=1&zmap=AC1066&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp6OI4bqy2AIVF9VkCh1_7gaVEAQYBSAB EgJdt_D_BwE

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by ted

ours is 500 gallon, 220v.
Its always 101 degrees, filter and heater run an hour twice a day.
helps to have a spa step and a cover lift.
https://www.spadepot.com/CoverMate-III---Side-Mount-P9338C49.aspx?zmam=55673001&zmas=1&zmac=1&zmap=AC1066&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp6OI4bqy2AIVF9VkCh1_7gaVEAQYBSAB EgJdt_D_BwE

Something tells me our climate might be just a bit different. I'm guessing in our part of the globe that heater might run just a bit more.

[Cajundaddy]

It depends.

If you build in-ground it will not maintain temp well and require a LOT of BTU to get it ready. Gas is the only way to go here. A fully insulated elect spa can be kept at 102F all the time so it is always ready to jump in. It will stay hot for about $20/mo. I have owned both and greatly prefer the ready-to-go variety. I am not a planner so when I want to get in I pull the cover back and get in. I want the spa very close to my back door so it is just a few steps from warm house to hot spa.

Hot Spring, Caldera, and Sundance all do this very well. Give em a look.

[dad911]

We have a Sundance, 10+ years. Use it more in the winter, we usually drain it in the summer. As I recall the hot springs claimed more insulation/efficient. Only problems were simple, like a mouse chewed a sensor wire, easy to debug/fix.

[VincentVega]

its ~20 something and I run mine thinking I'm keeping it from freezing. Normally set to 80 and comes up to ~100 in no time when I want to use it. Too cold out for me to use, what a waste of power. Never heard of a gas one, you need electric for the pumps anyway. I had a fun course in spa plumbing this year. Note, keep squirrels out of your hot tub.

[Charles Freeborn]

I've got a cute little 2 person... 3 if, well.... anyway here it is:
The Rendezvous 2 person hot tub
Electric heat.
It's got an "Economy" mode which only heats to temp twice a day (I have it set to 7am and 7pm)
When I'm winding down from a morning workout, or at the end of the day it's good to go. Easy to override and have hot 24/7, or in "sleep" mode when we're away - continues to filter on schedule but lowers temp to 85º.
Total water contents is 150 gals or so... very economical.