Hot tubs require special care

With water temperatures hovering around 100-degrees Fahrenheit, hot tubs require a bit more attention than swimming pools, according to Tim Perez, a sales associate for Olympia Fireplace & Spa in the Twin City Town Center.

“At higher temperatures, the chlorine burns off faster,” he said. “You’re going to need to replace any sanitizing agent you use more often as the temperature increases.”

The levels of the spa chemicals used to clean the pool, such as chlorine or bromide, should be checked at least once a week, if you’re using the hot tub on a regular basis, according to Perez.

“Ideally, you should shower before you get in, to rinse off the body’s oils,” Perez said. “But realistically, a lot of people aren’t going to take the time to do that.” Spa customers with sensitive skin sometimes opt for a hydrogen-peroxide-based water treatment, called Soft Soak, according to Olympia Fireplace & Spa’s manager Rich James.

“It has a soft-water feel to it, and it doesn’t leave any smell or that residue feeling that chlorine sometimes can,” he said.

Regardless of the agent used, keeping the water pH balanced is important, not only for health reasons, but for the longevity of the tub, according to Richie Coryell, a service technician at Thurman Electric & Plumbing in Chehalis. “If it’s not balanced, it can shorten the life of the pump and the heating element,” he said.

Every three to four months, the spa should be completely drained and refilled, according to James.

“Many times, people use it to water their lawns in the summer,” he said. For safety concerns, the water’s temperature should not exceed 104 F, according to Perez.

“That’s the max temperature these tubs will go,” he said. “Anything over 104 F, and you can start to dehydrate yourself.”

While the water’s temperature can be controlled for personal preference, a tub is usually between 101 F to 104 F, Perez said.

On an average, customers can expect to see a $10 to $25 increase in their energy bill, James said.

“You can generally expect that your electricity is going to go up,” he said. But to help conserve energy and keep the spa clean from debris, a cover is imperative.

Spa covers can also prevent sun damage as hottubs should never be exposed to direct sunlight for a long period of time, according to Coryell. “It can crack the acrylic,” he said.

For additional cost, customers can add features such as external lighting and a stereo, complete with an AM/FM radio and compact disc player. “It’s marine grade so that the speakers can get wet,” Perez said.

With hot tubs ranging from $4,000 to more than $11,000 at Olympia Fireplace & Spa, customers shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions, James said.

“We do wet tests so that people can sit in them and try them out,” he said. “Why shouldn’t you? It’s like a test drive — I drove my car before I took it home.”

By Robin McGinnis

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