Winterizing Your Hot Tub

Environment Canada is calling for the snow to end sometime today with total amounts in the 20 to 30 cm range. Ready or not winter is knocking on our doorstep. So how do you prepare? Snow tires ... check, snow blower … check, drain the pool … check.  What about the hot tub?

If you have a hot tub that you want to close up for the winter it starts with the realization that hot tub spas get damaged because they aren’t properly winterized.  It also costs a lot to repair them.  Don’t let it get that far.

You have to start by turning off the circuit breaker for the spa’s electrical line and even better unplug the unit. Then remove the hard thermal cover and drain out the spa by hooking a garden hose to the spa’s bottom drain spout. Make sure that you leave the bottom drain spout open when you’re finished.

After you turn off your spa heater and  replace the hard thermal cover on the spa and turn the spa’s circuit breaker back on, or plug the unit back in. If you have an air blower, let it run for approximately 30 seconds in order to blow all the water out of the air channel under the spa seats.

Remove the cover and soak up all the remaining water from inside the spa with towels or the best way possible, making sure that you get all the water out. Take out the hot tub filter and empty the water out of the filter canister compartment.

You’ll have to get the water out of the jet piping.  You can do this by blowing air through a compressor or hose into the jets. Get out of the spa and put the hard cover back on the unit. Tie down the cover to so that wind it doesn’t get flipped up by wind.

If you have an in ground or in deck hot tub, you’ll have to attach Winter Spa Cover over the hard thermal cover. One neat trick is to place the winter cover over the hard cover and lay swimming pool type water tubes around the hot tub decking which will prevent rain or water from getting into your spa over the winter.

All that’s left to do is bury your head and wait for spring. If you go through withdrawal, there are always outdoor spas. 

Enjoying Your Hot Tub this Fall

With the weatherman promising us a few nice days before another winter, here are some ways to prolong your summer and enjoy your hot tub into the autumn.

So how can you squeeze the most out of the last days of summer. The first thing that comes to mind is relaxing in your hot tub and enjoying the hot water, crisp air and nature’s color palette. A warm beverage such as a coffee, hot chocolate or warm apple cider will keep your feed your inner warmth. If your hot tub comes with a DVD player like our Midway Series or Ultimate Entertainment Spa hot tubs then a funny movie or horror story might do be the right pick. The longer Fall nights make it ideal for stargazing or even telling a ghost story or two.  

Hot tubs aren’t only for those cool evenings. A dip in your hot tub to watch the sunrise before enjoying a full breakfast will help you start your day on the right foot. If you want to enjoy the sounds of nature, install a bird feeder nearby. The sights and sounds that you will enjoy in your hot tub might have to last you over the winter and there is no more beautiful a season to enjoy with than the autumn.

Beat the Heat in a Tradition Spa

Maybe it’s because a hot tub is traditionally built for 6-7 people. Or like most of our hot tubs it comes with 67 stainless jets.  Or that your friends will love your hot tub so much that they’ll make it a tradition to use yours. However the Tradition Spa got its name, it doesn’t matter, there’s nothing traditional about the Tradition Spa.

Powered by 2 x 5 Horsepower pumps, a 5.5 kW heater, a 150 sq. ft. filter system the Tradition Spa has a 460 gal (1741 l) water capacity and is everything that you would want in a hot tub and more. Extras like the twin trickle down and fan waterfalls set the mood for relaxation. The DEL-CD Ozone systems that will help keep your hot tub clean. In order to find your way around your hot tub in the dark, you’ll love the award winning sconce LED lit cabinet and 4 LED lit headrests. Options like a bistro table, Wi-Fi module and Bluetooth stereo with subwoofer for bass will get the party rocking. 

When winter rolls around you’ll benefit from our winter insulation package and 5” locking winter cover. As the summers get hotter you can’t bring AC, then you might want to look into getting a Traditional Spa for your backyard.  

Is it a Hot Tub or a Spa, The Lacrosse Spa is both

It’s not easy making that decision, hot tub or spa. Well, we’ve made that decision a lot easier, now you can have both.

The Lacrosse Spa at 225 IN (5.71M) X 87IN (2.2M) X 56 IN (1.42M) is large enough to easily seat 8-12 people. Powered by dual 2 HP pumps, dual 2 speed swim pumps, 2 x 5.5 kw heater, a 150 sq.ft. Filter system, an Ozonator, your also covered for the winter months with a 5" locking winter cover and our winter insulation package.

You’ll enjoy a warm massage by our 74 Stainless jets with LEDs while relaxing on a headrest. And when the sun goes down LED fiber optic colour lights located in the spa and hot tub and 4 corner sconce LED entry lights will make sure that you find your way around in the dark.

That’s not all with impressive options like an iPod dock with Bluetooth, two speakers & subwoofers and spa aerobic equipment optional, you’ll have to lock the door to keep the neighbors out.

So if you’re still on the fence about owning a hot tub or spa, come on down. You can have both at a great price.

Impressive Sound and Size are Two Reasons Why Should You Consider the Orlando Spa Hot Tub

There are many models of hot tubs to choose from so why should you choose the Orlando Hot Tub? If you have a large family or your friends and neighbors are frequent visitors, then you’ll need a bigger sized hot tub that can get in as many people as possible. Along with some other models that we carry such as the Pearl Island or Twilight, the Orlando SPA -222  at 92.5” (2349mm)  X 92.5” (2349mm)  X 39.5” (990mm) is large enough to comfortably seat six people and size won’t be an issue.

If having the right sound system is more your thing, then you won’t be disappointed by its impressive sound system. It starts with the ClearPlay ™ Bluetooth stereo. The ClearPlay™ Sound System lets you stream and listen to your music wirelessly using Bluetooth technology. And to listen to your music, the spa is equipped with two directional tweeters, an 80 watt satellite amp and subwoofer and two Hi Fidelity LED lit speakers. With its state of the art sound system you won’t miss out on any of the great music that keeps your backyard party going all night.

And if those features don’t blow you away, the Orlando SPA comes with 2 trickle down and fan waterfalls, twin Roman fountains, an award winning sconce LED lit cabinet and a bistro table with LED light. Why settle for just another hot tub when you can have the impressive features that come with an Orlando SPA?

Energy and Money Saving Tips for Your Hot Tub

If you want to save energy and money when it comes to your hot tub, here are a few tips:

By starting your spa or hot tub with its cover on, you won’t lose as much heat. Think of it, because heat rises just like the heat rising in our home, by insulating the attic or keeping the cover on our spa, we can prevent up to 85% of heat from escaping through the roof. Also replace your cover if it’s ripped and cracked from age. Water will accumulate in the cover decreasing its effectiveness, wasting energy and money.

Another effective way to save hot tub heating energy is by creating a windbreak around your spa. By cutting wind exposure with shrubs, privacy panels, or fencing, as well as spa enclosures you can significantly reduce heat loss.

You can also take advantage of using off-peak heating. Since many power utilities offer reduced rates during off-peak hours, when demand is lowest, you can benefit from using those time slots to heat your hot tub. If your hot tub has a timer circuit that allows you to program off-peak heating your hot tub can maintain its heat for several hours after the heater is turned off by correctly insulating your spa and getting a good cover.

With the price of everything these days, everybody wants to save a few dollars more. These are some helpful tips for reducing energy to heat up your spa but there are many others. Check back regularly for more useful tips. 

What to Do with Your Hot Tub When You’re Taking a Vacation

You might just be getting around to taking a summer vacation. And when it comes time to pack your bags and head out there are a few things that you might do to keep your hot tub safe. If you’re leaving for a vacation in the summer or your tub is located inside your house, shocking the water with a small amount of chlorine, closing and locking the cover before turning it will ensure that it will remain in good working condition when you get back home from your vacation.  It will also sterilize the water eliminating the spread of germs and bacteria. It’s important to test the pH levels and add the correct chemicals before you close the cover.

Closing the cover will keep the sunlight out of the water and make sure that algae don’t grow. It will also keep it cleaner by keeping leaves, dust and debris out of your pool. Keeping the hot tub’s water temperature low by turning off the power will reduce the likelihood of algae and bacteria growth while allowing the chlorine to last longer. As a bonus, you’ll also save some money on your electricity bill which will help pay for that vacation that you just took.

Once you get back from your vacation, just turn the power on and your hot tub will be clean and ready to use.