[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.