• By Andrew Astonville
• Published 09/19/2012

Hot tubs are becoming increasingly popular not only for their health advantages, but also because they are a much more affordable as well as space efficient way to relax in the garden than swimming pools.

The following guide will give you some need-to-know information to help you find a hot tub supplier that will give you the right buy.

Therapeutic Benefits of Hot Tubs

There are some excellent healthcare advantages to being able to soak regularly in a hot tub – here are their main therapeutic benefits:

· Relieves muscle aches and pains.

· Hot water and massage stimulates the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain killer.

· Reduced blood pressure.

· Helps to raise the level of antibodies and white blood cells in your body, which in turn destroy toxins and increase the growth of new tissue.

· Relieves arthritis and chronic pain.

· Decreases blood sugar levels, which is beneficial for those who suffer from Diabetes Type 2.

· Hot water causes the body to perspire, which expels toxins.

· Relieves tension headaches and stress.

· Helps induce a deep soothing sleep, which is ideal for those suffering from insomnia.

· Since you lose around 90% of your body weight when immersed in water, the weight on your heart is reduced by as much as 10% to 20%.

Tips When Buying a Hot Tub

If you’re considering buying a hot tub, here is some key advice to help you make the right decision:

· It’s best to opt for a reputable hot tub supplier with a good track record of for supplying quality products and reliable support. Online research can help with this, and it’s best to ring up at least three to find out how keen they are to meet your needs.

· A BISHTA (British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association) accredited company is the best route as they have stringent policies and guide lines with regard to manufacture, installation and water hygiene.

· The type of hot tub and its price will depend on your needs and priorities – decide whether you want it just for fun and entertainment or for therapeutic reasons.

· Consider your home’s space limitations as well as the seating requirements, since this will significantly impact the hot tub size that will suit you best.

· The hot tub will need to be placed on a level, self-draining base which is sturdy enough to support its weight plus the people in it.

· Make sure the hot tub’s foot area – it needs to have sufficient space to fit everyone in comfortably. It’s also good is to have seats of varying depths to accommodate people of different sizes.

· Choosing a hot tub with controllable jets is a good way forward as you will then be able to regulate the pressure from the pumps.

· Good lighting in and around the hot tub is important not only for aesthetic reasons, it will help avoid accidents when people are getting in and out.

· Your budget needs to include installation and electrical running costs.

· The best time to buy a hot tub in terms of getting a good deal is during the off-season months, since demand is slower and retailers are keen to move their stock.

Key Hot Tub Maintenance Facts

Cleaning

Sanitising your hot tub regularly is essential to keep it free from bacteria and other substances that would affect the safety of bathers as well as the clarity of the water. Microbes grow prolifically in hot water, so this factor is important.

Generally, it’s fine to keep the same water in your hot tub for up to twelve weeks, although this timescale is also dependant on the frequency and number of people using it.

While chlorine is the primary sanitizer used for hot tubs and pools, bromine is another option for people who don’t want the chlorine smell to enter their hair. Another excellent choice would be an ozone generator, since unlike chemicals, ozone does not irritate the eyes and skin, nor does it have a pungent smell. These generators only work however when the water is circulating – ozone does not continue to work residually over time like chlorine. This means they are ideally used in conjunction with sanitising chemicals, particularly for shock treatments (which are needed every so often to blast out bacteria).

Filtration

In addition to using sanitising agents, a hot tub’s filtration system is vital for maintaining sparkling water, as it weeds out debris and allows the water to stay clearer for longer periods.

Bear in mind that while filters can be reused for up to twelve months before they require replacing, they need to be cleaned regularly. It’s always wise to have a spare set of filters and rotate them, since they last longer when dried out after cleaning.

Your hot tub supplier can explain how long the filter cycles need to be activated per day – this will be reliant on its size, frequency of use, volume of bathers and temperature.

Cover

Make sure that your hot tub has a cover when not in use. This helps to keep out debris, reduce evaporation and minimise your heating costs. Covers are also an important safety measure – you can buy models that are strong enough to withstand children and pets.

Conclusion

Armed with the above tips, and with the help of a reliable hot tub supplier, you will be well on your way to finding a model that will suit your needs perfectly.

About the Author: Andrew Astonville is an independent advisor on finding the right hot tub supplier.