You may have been weighing the factors of owning a hot tub this past year. With most of us staying home more, the benefits of having a hot tub in our own backyard are pretty convincing. You know there are many benefits a hot tub could add to your life. However, it is important to weigh in some additional factors that owning a hot tub brings to the table. The truth is, owning a hot tub means accepting a few responsibilities along with the joys. You want to go into any significant commitment with your eyes open, right? So let’s examine 5 realities of owning a hot tub.

1. Will a Hot Tub Impact My Utility Bill?

The good news is, owning a hot tub should not mean that your utility bills will go up. Most people find they drain and fill their hot tubs four or five times per year, but your regular water usage throughout the rest of the year shouldn’t change much. As far as your power bill is concerned, there are several factors at play. Namely, how often your hot tub is used, how large it is, and the time of year. If you are using your hot tub during the winter, for example, you could see a small increase in your bill. Most people don’t find their bill goes up more than $25 per month, if at all.

Even if that small increase is a consideration for you, there are energy-efficient measures you can take to lower the cost. Investing in an extra insulating cover, turning the temperature down in between uses, and adhering to a regular schedule of maintenance are all simple ways to cut your hot tub related power bill costs significantly.

2. What About Using the Hot Tub in Winter?

Winter is a wonderful time of year to soak in the hot tub. It is true that your hot tub will have to work harder at that time of year to maintain its constant 102-104 degree temperature. However, there are a couple of things you can do to make it not have to labor as much. First, an insulated cover will do a remarkable job of maintaining the consistent temperature you want.

A poor hot tub cover will cost you money by having your heater running more. If you see steam billowing out from the edges of your hot tub on a 30-degree day, you do not have a good insulating cover. If there has been a heavy snowfall, and the only place it has melted is on the top of your hot tub cover, that is not a good cover. There should be no leaking steam, and that snowfall should not be affected by what is under your hot tub cover. Invest in a good insulated hot tub cover. You will not regret it.

Another thing you can do to enhance your hot tub usage in winter is to try one of the floating thermal blankets that are available on the market. This extra layer of insulation is an additional level of protection to keep the heat where it belongs. Also, even if you are not using your hot tub as regularly in the winter months, be sure to keep an eye on your filters and chemical balance to be sure all is as it should be.

3. What’s Involved in Regular Maintenance?

There is no getting around the fact that hot tubs do not clean themselves. One of the smartest things you can do is to create a regular cleaning schedule for your hot tub and stick to it. Do you know what is required and when to do it? Let’s have a look.

• Every three months or so you will need to drain and refill your hot tub. It is an important step in maintaining clean, balanced water and preventing possible damage to the hot tub.
• Remove and clean the filters every month. 
• The shell of your hot tub will be scrubbed well a few times a year when you drain it. Also, you should clean the shell above the waterline every two or three weeks just to maintain its pristine condition.
• Shock your hot tub water at least once a week, more often if it is heavily used.
• Test your water often – at least two or three times a week and before each soak.
• Skim and remove debris after every use.

That isn’t so bad, is it? In reality, the normal tasks involved in maintaining a hot tub are not particularly demanding. You just need to take care to have a task plan to keep a regular schedule.

4. What If the Water Looks Funny?

Don’t panic. It’s a fact of hot tub ownership that one day you will remove the cover and find your water looks less than inviting. However, it is an easy fix. Here is a simple checklist to set things right:

• Check your filter. Some debris may have built up in it and need to be removed.
• If your hot tub is being heavily used and people are wearing lots of sunscreen, body lotion, or other products, you may need to use a dose of sanitizer after each use. Start doing that and you may see a difference in the clarity of your water.
• A water clarifier can consolidate any small particles of debris your filter doesn’t catch. Add some into the water after the sanitizer and it should improve the situation.
• If your water is still looking a bit cloudy, you can shock it. This means adding in an ample dose of extra chlorine or non-chlorine water sanitizer. This usually does the trick to restore your water to the clarity level you want.
• Is your water chemistry out of whack? Get in the habit of testing it 2-3 times a week and before each use. If you keep up with it, things should stay in balance.
• If it has been 3 or 4 months since you have drained and cleaned the hot tub, it may be due for this regular maintenance task.

5. What Not To Do In Your Hot Tub

Now let’s talk about some preventative steps you can take to make sure some unwanted issues never occur. There are a few things that you should NOT do in your hot tub that will save you much aggravation if you avoid them.

• No glass in the hot tub. Broken glass is a spa owner’s worst nightmare and requires a lot of time to fix. First, turn off the pump. Next, drain the tub and let it dry. When dry, thoroughly sweep and vacuum the hot tub with a shop vac at least twice. Refill the tub, then re-balance the water. 
• Make-up, body lotions, sunscreen, and bath products are things that will gunk up your filtration system and affect the clarity of the water. Encourage users to shower before enjoying their soak.

• Electronics, pets, and small children shouldn’t be in your hot tub. The wisdom of not taking your smartphone or iPad into water is probably a lesson you’ve learned the hard way before. Pets and small children under 5 should not use hot tubs. Being small, they are not able to regulate their body temperature as well as adults and can overheat quickly.
• Over-consumption of alcohol is also a bad idea in the hot tub. If someone is under the influence of alcohol they are more likely to slip, fall asleep, or suffer some other mishap while using the hot tub. Enjoy your soak and have that drink once you are out of the water.

So, how does all that sound?  The benefits of hot tub ownership are seemingly endless. A place to enjoy more family time and to gather with friends, increased stress-relief, better sleep, and a beautiful focal point in your backyard are just some of the reasons to get a hot tub. When weighed against these 5 easily managed realities of owning a hot tub, there is no doubt that you should take the plunge. Become a hot tub owner, you won’t regret it!

Aqua Pools has been serving satisfied customers in the Chicagoland area since 1974, and we are proud to carry the very finest hot tubs available on the market.  We carry a full line of hot tub products, accessories, and high-quality chemicals. Also, we provide many services to help you maintain your hot tub for years to come. Your relationship with us only begins with your purchase. Our professional staff is available to you to answer any questions or concerns related to your hot tub. Contact either of our two convenient locations in Homer Glen or Worth and get to know us better!