The Craziest Places To Put A Hot Tub

I bet you have been in many backyards and enjoyed hot tubs either on the deck or the patio. But did you know that people put them in airplanes? Today I’d like to talk about some of the crazy places people put a hot tubs, hoping to spark your creativity prior to your big purchase. Okay, some of these will just be plain wacky, but I hope they inspire you to channel your inner Diddy.

1) The back of a yacht. Most of the elaborate yachts in the world have a sun deck with a hot tub for parties, enjoyment and relaxation. Equipped with drink holders and headrests, these hot tubs make for some great time on the water. Jay Z and Beyonce enjoy relaxing in the yacht overlooking the waters of the Caribbean, while Diddy parties with hot women popping bottles of Cristal.

2) In a limo. Many limos with retractable roofs include hot tubs to make the experience more enjoyable. Relaxing in a hot tub while rolling down the Strip in Las Vegas can be one of the most memorable nights in someone’s life. Proms, bachelor and bachelorette parties and extravagant celebrations make the perfect time to spring for the limo with the hot tub. If you own a limo company, this might be a way to make your company stand out from the crowd.

3) Hot tub on a plane. Do you remember the movie Soul Train? In that movie, there is a hot tub on the plane. It makes you think of what the future holds in the commercial airplane industry. Private jet owners are already enjoying the lavish experience of hot tubs on a plane. During long cross Atlantic flights, the rich and famous can enjoy the health benefits and enjoyment of all a hot tub can offer. So John Travolta! Even the BMW Group dressed the Boeing 787 Dreamliner with a big-screen theater, cocktail bar and gourmet kitchen, not to mention the two levels of living space that will include a sauna and gym.

Have you seen any other crazy places people put hot tubs? We would love to hear about them. And if you are in the market for a yacht or airplane you would like equipped with a hot tub, contact spasandstuff.com for the perfect option.

And remember, you don’t have to have a plane or yacht to enjoy the luxury and relaxation of a hot tub. Have your own spa experience at home.

Does Someone Want To Buy Katherine Heigl a New Hot Tub?

Knocked Up actress Katherine Heigl and her husband’s hot tub got them in a little trouble this past Monday. Word is a neighbor called the police about loud noises coming from their hot tub. The police came out to investigate and decided no crime was committed. So was their spa on the fritz or were the two of them having a little too much “fun” that night? It turns out the complaint was about the sound coming from the hot tub. Investigators showed up and found no crime to be committed.

The hot tub won this battle but will there be more in the future?

Hot tubs are normally relatively quiet and go unnoticed by neighbors, save a few laughs from the general direction. . Hot tubs relax people and encourage social gatherings and great time together. In rare instances this can cause unwanted noise if too much alcohol or too many people are involved.

So how do you make sure you’re on the right side of the hot tub noise equation? Our best rule of thumb is to invite your neighbors over for a soak every once in a while so they begin to see the hot tub as an enjoyable and much needed staple in your backyard.

perezhilton.com/2010-10-13-katherine-heigl-and-josh-kelley-have-issues-with-neighbor-over-hot-tub-noise

And if anyone knows Katherine Heigl, tell her to visit www.spasandstuff.com for her next hot tub if hers (or she) is being too loud.

Can I Get A Hot Tub?

Many people are talking about the recent State Farm commercial where three guys each make a wish to their State Farm representative. The third guy ends the commercial with a “Can I get a hot tub?” with a hot tub landing in the middle of the living room. (Watch the video) With this, we have yet another mainstream media example of how hot tubs are fun, relevant, and the stuff of people’s dreams.

As you probably remember from my last post HERE, the movie Hot Tub Time Machine brought hot tubs back to the status of national celebrity. And as Mike “The Situation” on Jersey Shore signs a new book deal and commands a salary of $60,000 per episode, he and his fellow housemates each pamper themselves with a soak in the hot tub at the end of each day. If that isn’t the essence of luxury and self-indulgence than what is?

Hot tubs are making their comeback now. And each time a hot tub appears on the television, I bet you envision yourself in one as well (perhaps not with the Jersey Shore crew though). An entertainment focal point, hot tubs are calling our names again. Whether it's for relaxation, entertainment or health, there is no doubt that with all the hot tubs you are seeing on television and in movies, that you don’t get a slight fascination or need to have one of your own.

So next time you yell out “can I get a hot tub?” just make sure you give SpasAndStuff a call for a great discount price on a top quality hot tub spa.

How Hot Tub Time Machine Brought Back Hot Tub Love

How Hot Tub Time Machine Brought Back Hot Tub Love

For many people, hot tubs have always been thought of as a sort of “party in a box”, a way to get people together for some relaxation and good times. Then came the movie Hot Tub Time Machine. What a better way to bring together the 80’s, Hot Tubs and John Cusack?

The following are five reasons Hot Tub Time Machine brought the “cool” back to hot tubs:

1) The extreme excitement when son Jacob first saw the hot tub.

You walk into your cabin in the dead of winter, tired, exhausted and ready to hit the hay. You take a look around each room, check out the kitchen, then head out to the deck to take a look at the lake. And there it is.

A hot tub.

Your whole personality shifts from tired to excitement as you change and take a dip. Are hot tubs exciting? You bet. People pay a premium for whirlpools, spas, and hot tubs while staying at hotels and rental cabins all over the world.

2) Hot tubbing is the one-time men will hang out half naked and be okay.

Men are terrified of being “uncool,” so hanging out half naked with their friends is out of the question…most of the time.

Except when it comes to hot tubs.

Men will pile into a hot tub with beer and hang out for hours. And hot tub Time Machine reminded men of this. Conclusion: Hot tubs equal quality man time.

3) The movie Hot Tub Time Machine actually brought hot tubs to the top of mind for most of those that forgot about them.

Some say hot tubs had their moment during the 80’s, when they became an object of fascination and gave the owner “street cred.” And this movie made naysayers remember why people love them so much. Hot tubs, spas and saunas are making a comeback. With many options and countless health benefits, portable hot tubs are popping up in backyards, hotels and cabins all over the country.

4) Hot Tubs bring people together.

All it takes is a new hot tub to have your home transformed into a more social, inviting place. Every one of the main characters in the movie jumped in the hot tub without a hitch. People enjoy sitting in the portable hot tub, spending time with friends, family, and love interests – just hopefully not at the same time.

5) The fact that a hot tub turned into a time machine. Enough said.

While we can’t sell you a hot tub that is a time machine, you might want to take the main focal point item out of this movie and move it into your backyard. Maybe a true hot tub time machine isn’t possible, but the fun and excitement you saw thought the movie is. SpasAndStuff.com can make your hopes of owning a hot tub into a reality. There is even a hot tub with TV so you can watch the movies while enjoying your hydrotherapy.

2010 Buyers Guide for Hot Tubs - What to Look For in a Hot Tub

Easy Access
Your hot tub purchase isn’t for just one season, so considerations for maintenance and repair should be included in your purchase. Look for easy access to equipment. Years ago, it was typical to “jam” a spa cabinet with foam, but like everything else mechanical, heat buildup is an issue, so look for insulation where its needed – like surrounding plumbing lines, but make sure there is air space for equipment and that its easy to access. No matter where you live, a better insulated hot tub will save you money. Quality hot tub insulation should not be an option or an upgrade; it should be a standard feature.

Standard Parts
Believe it or not, Exclusive is bad in the hot tub industry. What it’s really saying is that you can’t get parts from any other supplier. There are several companies that make readily available high quality parts. All manufacturers use third parties for parts; however, if purchased in volumes, the manufacturer can request custom variations to ensure repair parts are purchased from them. One company even positioned the motor frame at an angle, so that you can’t buy a standard part, so you are held up for their price.

Avoid “Blowers” and “Air Only Jets”
Although popular years ago, most good manufacturers have abandoned powered air blowers and “air-only” jets. Air blower orifices can be sources of dangerous airborne mold and bacteria, since they can't be effectively sanitized by the treated spa water. Blowers quickly cool down the hot tub water, wasting large amounts of reheating energy. They are also loud, sounding like a vacuum cleaner. Air only jets make bubbles, but they don’t really provide true massaging hydrotherapy. Modern spas have air-induction jets which mix air with water, so separate blowers are unnecessary. The addition of air can be turned on and off. When the air is on, this creates a more powerful massaging action from the jets.

Warranty
Although, the length of a warranty on the hot tub should not be the primary reason for buying, warranties are hidden "insurance policies." It is built into the price of the hot tub. Typically, the least expensive hot tubs have a one year parts and as little as a 90 day labor warranty. This is for one reason; it helps to make them affordable. Even a mid-priced hot tub should offer you a longer warranty on parts and labor. Watch for hidden costs such as deductibles, pro-rating and service call trip charges.

Ergonomics
At some point you may want to sit up higher and cool down, especially in summer. Look for a higher seat, which typically doubles as a step, and possibly a flat surface on the upper edge of the spa. These areas can allow a person to cool off, while still staying in the conversation. Those rounded edge shells are a poor seat for those that are looking to relax and cool down. Also drink holders can be useful to help minimize spills in your hot tub.

Phony Awards
As we currently understand it, there are NO valid awards given to any hot tub manufacturer. The so-called awards are nothing more than paid advertising. Consumer's Digest logo used on brochures, NSPI awards, and “Star Ratings” from Pool and Spa are offered to advertisers who spend enough money with these organizations. Typically they never even look at the product.
The consumer will be better served ensuring the hot tub they purchase is approved for sale in their country by an agency such as ETL, TUV, or UL. These ratings means the entire hot tub has passed the various tests, from shell strength to electrical wiring. This is commonly not the case on hot tubs imported from China.

There are many high quality hot tub manufacturers in the USA. Do your best to compare the list of features you will receive for the price you will pay. And check the reputation of the company you are purchasing from. There are better retail stores and better online stores. You will typically get your best deal from a reputable online hot tub dealer.

Common Myths in Hot Tub Sales

Open Cell Foam vs. Closed Cell Foam: Many hot tub salesmen will profess they have a particular type of foam insulation, typically closed cell foam insulation. This is not really an identifying feature, but for hot tubs, an industry standard. The fact of the matter is everyone who uses foam insulation in the hot tub industry uses closed cell polyurethane foam. Open cell polyurethane foam does exist, but in the form of "foam rubber", great for cushions, but for insulating hot tubs, not so much. The reason closed cell is used for insulation is that the foam is a cluster of trapped air cells that act as a poor conductor of heat. The quality and amount of foam insulation are factors that will effect your hot tub electrical usage.
For example, when a lesser quality closed cell foam is exposed to the chemically treated water of a hot tub, in many instances the foam's cells can "open" and allow water saturation. This can lead to a hot tub that weighs significantly more following a leak, and when the "dead air" inside the foam is replaced by water, a lowering of your hot tubs "R factor" occurs.
Horsepower equals Value?
This may be irrelevant, for what really matters when evaluating a pump's performance is the "head" of the pump, a rating that has more to do with flow than actual horsepower. So unless you salesman is familiar with flow or the nozzle math, he will be little help. Try to compare GPM (gallons per minute) and note the quantity and sizes of jets. Too many jets on too small of a pump will equal week hydrotherapy .
Power consumption:
Most hot tubs are used heavily in the first ninety days and then use tapers to "normal" after that. As a result, your first few months are a poor representation of the total cost of hot tub ownership. Also, higher priced tubs do not necessarily translate to lower costs of operation. Yes they may have higher quality components, but they may have little impact on energy efficiency. The best way to determine the average cost is to do the math...
A rule of thumb is to take each appliance that the hot tub uses and read the label, e.g.
115V 2.0 HP motor @ 3.6 amps draw
Now using the Volts x Amps = power (watts)
That translates to 115V x 3.6 amps = 414 watts or .414 KW
So at 10 cents per KWH and if you run the hot tub pump 8hrs a day
.414KW x $.10/KWH x 8 H = $ .3312 per day or $ 9.93 per 30 day month
Now that is just one component. Remember, you are told that "This hot tub will only run you $10 a month in electricity”. It is only partially true, for that one component (say one pump during daily filtering) will cost you $10/month in electricity to filter, but remember there is cost associated with lighting, heating, summer VS winter, and more pumps during use with the cover off.

Top 10 Reasons to Own a Hot Tub

1. Relaxing: think of how you can relax in a nice warm quiet bathtub. Now move that hot tub of water outside for the fresh air. Then make it larger, deeper, add the massaging actions of hydrotherapy jets and add a heater. Hot tubs are all that and more.

2. Muscle Massage: The best hot tubs offer you a variety of seat depths and designs. You should find a variety of jet styles and jet positions in each seat and the jets should be adjustable. The hot tub pumps will also typically have low and high speed, and you should be able to turn the air on/off to increase/decrease the strength of the hydrotherapy jets. This allows you to pick just the right seat, with just the right jets, at just the right strength, to massage away those stresses of the day.

3. Joint Pain Relief: The full body heating effect that you get in hot tubs feels great. I think we all know that the application of heat is a common treatment for various aches and pains. Why not do it while you float away stress in your very own hot tub spa.

4. Improve Sleep: Relaxing in a hot tub raises the body temperature and enhances your ability to fall asleep. Evening soaks help to promote restful, uninterrupted sleep, which allows you to face the next day fully refreshed.

5. Limbering Up: The hot water in hot tubs decreases muscle tension, which allows greater flexibility. You can also stretch better when you are buoyant in the water.

6. Gathering Place: Flip open the hot tub cover, start the jets, and watch how family members and friends migrate to the hot tub for a soak. What a great way to enjoy some "quality time" with the children or grandchildren.

7. Post-Op Therapy: We hear from many folks every year who are buying hot tubs to help them recover from surgery, often for back or leg problems. Some folks are fortunate enough that their insurance company will pay for a hot tub if they have a prescription from their doctor. Hot tubs provide hydrotherapy rehabilitation which may help patients get back on their feet faster.

8. Starting the Day: Imagine a morning refresher that includes a soak in your very own hot tub, while listening to the birds chirp and watching the sunrise...coffee optional.

9. Lifestyle Statement: Your new hot tub can be part of a backyard Showcase. Turn on the LED lighting and fountains, and the hot tub becomes a centerpiece for backyard parties. Even if no one gets wet, a hot tubs beautiful appearance and soothing water sounds become the center of attention.

10. Entertainment Zone: Invite friends and family members to watch home movies while relaxing in the hot tub. This is particularly fun if you have a hot tub with built in TV, such as our BellaGrande SLT. Of course you'll want a best quality hot tub stereo too, with a built-in sub-woofer.

Spas And Stuff offers great discount hot tub prices every day. Please also see our beautiful, quality outdoor kitchens for your backyard, as well as our very popular indoor infrared saunas.

Building Cheap Hot Tubs for Sale - Part 2

We offer this list, because as the saying goes, price is remembered only for a while, quality is remembered forever.
(click here to read Part 1)

Helpful Hint: check out a company by searching their name along with the words rip off, or perhaps scam. You may be glad you did.

Car or Marine Stereos instead of Proper Spa Stereos
Car stereos and most marine stereos are not suitable for hot tubs because they have cooling vents in the chassis. These vents can let moisture in that will ruin the stereo (an outdoor hot tub is a moist environment). But these stereos are attractive to cheap factories as they are very inexpensive. A common practice is to tape over the vents and hope the stereo does not overheat in the hot tub. Spas And Stuff uses proper hot tub stereos, designed for spa installation, with a sealed chassis and heat syncs for cooling.

Extruded Acrylic instead of Cast Acrylic
Continuous Cast acrylic is the industry standard for the best hot tubs. Less expensive brands use extruded acrylic to save money. Although they appear to be the same from an aesthetic standpoint, extruded acrylics are much thinner than cast acrylic. They are also prone to crack easier and will fade over time. Spas And Stuff hot tubs use cast acrylic.

Frame Construction
For best quality, a hot tub frame should be made from construction grade lumber, as ours are. We also use pressure treated lumber on all parts of the frame that would come in contact with the ground. Lesser brands will use cheap 2x2’s that are commonly used for strapping in construction and not for structural purposes. 2x2’s are generally cut from the center of the log and are more prone to warping. Some companies market steel frames. Although they look nice, they are made from a very thin steel. Properly built wood frames are stronger than steel and will not bend or rust.

Screws (non-coated or capped)
Our screws are coated to JS500 hours salt spray exposure standards to ensure that they will not rust. Many manufacturers use coated deck screws that will rust in a short period of time, and that will look terrible on your hot tub cabinet. We also cover our screws with a decorative cap to ensure that they match the hot tub cabinet.

Heater Element
Our heating elements are made form an 825 incoloy element to resist corrosion from chemical imbalances in the water and reduce the chance of calcium build up on the element. Incoloy heater elements last longer and operate more efficiently than standard heating elements.

Hot Tub Cover Quality
An area that is often overlooked when purchasing a hot tub is the quality of the "free cover." Check the specifications to ensure the hot tub cover has a vapor barrier, adequate skirt length, thick marine grade vinyl, at least a 1.5 lb foam density, and that it is tapered to provide for water runoff. Even a well insulated hot tub can cost more to heat if the cover isn't good quality.

Plumbing Shortcuts

1. Smaller piping - allows for okay pressure if the hot tubs are built with smaller jets, but you may not have nice water flow overall.
2. No clamps on jets - Just gluing the water hose to the back of the jet mount.
3. No glue on jets - Just clamping the water hose to the back of the jet mounts...our hot tub factory both glues the hose on and then clamps it, to prevent water leaks.
4. No silicone on spa jet mounts - fast method, use only preformed silicone rings to seal the jets mount to the spa shell. Our spa factory uses both liquid silicone and silicone rings. It takes longer, but practically eliminates the chance of a leak.
   

Hot Tub Water Testing
This is very important, especially if you are buying factory direct hot tubs. Our factory water tests every hot tub to ensure it does not leak and that everything works correctly. That means when you start up your new spa, it should work properly. In contrast, lower quality mass production factories may only water test every 10th or 20th hot tub.

Spas And Stuff offers great discount hot tub prices every day. Please also see our beautiful, quality outdoor kitchens for your backyard, as well as our very popular indoor infrared saunas.

Building Cheap Hot Tubs for Sale - Part 1

While Spas And Stuff has always offered great discount prices on hot tubs, sometimes we see some really cheap hot tub prices out there. While price and quality are not always a precise correlation, we thought it may be helpful to offer a list of ways a hot tub factory might cut corners in order to offer what appears to be a deep discount price. These are in no particular order, and there are so many, that we will break the information into multiple posts. As always, buyer beware, and sometimes a deal truly is too good to be true.
Foreign Made Hot Tubs
This scenario is so common, and for whatever reason, the quality of the parts and the workmanship does not seem to be the same. We get several calls a year from folks that purchased a cheap hot tub, made in (you know where) and it no longer works. Worse yet, that can't find a compatible part for replacement. When planning to purchase a hot tub, ask if it is made in the USA or Canada.
48 frame pumps instead of 56 frame pumps
48 frame pumps cost less, but take more electricity to generate the same amount of horsepower. The result is that you will likely have a higher monthly electric bill and that discount hot tub price may not seem so cheap over the years. Our 220 Volt spas come standard with 56 frame pumps.
Fixed Spa Jets instead of Adjustable Spa Jets
Fixed spa jets simply snap in place and cannot be turned on/off on an individual bases. Spas And Stuff hot tubs are only equipped with jets that can be individually turned on/off with a simple quarter turn of the outer ring of the jet. They cost more, but offer the bather greater control and variety in their hydrotherapy.
Chrome plated Spa jets instead of Stainless Steel
Chrome plated jets will quite possibly have the chrome peel over the years. On our more upscale hot tub models, we use stainless steel jets...they cannot peel.

Thin Hot Tub Shells
This can be caused by using thinner acrylic, minimal amounts of material to strengthen the shell, or a combination of both. While the spa may look shiny and new, a weaker spa shell may show signs of warping when filled with water, and of course there is the chance of cracking over time.
Spas And Stuff shells are manufactured using only thick acrylic sheet, as well as more than the recommended thickness of Acrylobond (the material that strengthens the shell).
Hot Tub Insulation: Type and Amount
Hot Tub insulation is a very big topic in that you can find many variations in the market. Some portable hot tubs have nothing but about a one quarter inch layer of expansion foam spayed on the backside of the spa shell. Cheap to purchase, but using your hot tub in the winter may prove to be ridiculously expensive. Another technique is to insulate the inside of the hot tub cabinet with board or sheet insulation. This idea is reasonable in theory, but to be truly effective, the fit has to be perfect, as well as the sealing of the cabinet. Anyone who has lived in a cold climate has probably experienced the electrical outlet that seems to be letting in cold air...the insulation was not well fitted or sealed around the outlet.
Spas And Stuff uses waterproof expansion foam on the backside of our spa shells. It is sprayed on to be several inches thick and provides an average R30 insulating value. We don't put less on spas for southern climates and more for hot tubs that will be in winter climates. They are all built the same way...the right way.
Hot Tub Water Testing
In a mass production hot tub factory, or simply to keep the price down, some factories will only water test some of their spas. Spas And Stuff hot tubs are all water tested for a minimum of two hours. This ensures that all functions operate correctly and that there are no leaks in the plumbing. You'll know your spa was water tested when you unwrap it, as you are likely to find some remaining water from the plumbing down in the foot well.
Hot Tubs Sold Without an Ozone System
A common way to cut the initial price of a hot tub is to not include an Ozone Generating system. Some places charge $250.00 or more for this as an upgrade. Ozone will naturally kill bacteria in your spa water. It is not currently possible to safely add enough ozone to eliminate the need for other sanitizers such as chlorine or bromine, an ozone generator will help reduce the amount you will need and help keep your spa water crystal clear. Spas And Stuff automatically includes an ozone generator on every spa.
Hot Tub Warranties
There are four common ways we have seen companies try to make their hot tub warranty look better than it actually is.
1) The labor component is much shorter than the parts component, for example, 3 years parts, 1 year labor.
2) Pro-Rated Spa Warranties. For example, the pump may have a 3 year warranty, but the factory will only pay one third of the price of the new pump if the broken one is 2 years old.
3) Deductibles, where the owner pays the first "x" number of dollars of the warranty repair.
4) Not covering Technician trip fees. This is where the spa tech charges a fee just to drive to the home. Depending on the distance, these may be as much as $100 or more.
Our Spas And Stuff http://www.spasnstuff.com/hot-tub-warranty-and-service-wholesale-hot-tubs-cheap-portable-hot-tubs.html is very favorable for our customers, as we do not take part in any of the aforementioned.
Check back soon for Part 2

Spas And Stuff can help you build your own personal paradise at home, an our big discount prices save you money. We also offer beautiful, quality outdoor kitchens for your backyard, as well as our very popular indoor infrared saunas, including red cedar models with the latest in carbon fiber heater technology.

Hot Tub Spa Installations

Two common questions when talking with people who are first time hot tub buyers are; where can I install one, and how difficult are they to install?

HOT TUB SPA LOCATIONS
A hot tub needs to be placed on a strong, flat, level surface. Strong for obvious reasons, level because otherwise the water will look crooked in your spa, flat because you don’t want your spa warping under pressure, which could cause problems over time. If you don’t have a sturdy deck or concrete slab, and you want a simple solution, you may consider our spa pads. They can even be easily moved in the future, should you decide to move your hot tub to a new location.

There are a lot of creative options when it comes to where you can install a hot tub. Just remember to think about the potential need for service. A portable hot tub has all of the equipment contained inside the cabinet. That means a hot tub service person would need access to the sides of the hot tub in order to perform a service call. Some hot tub manufacturers insist the homeowner leave eighteen inches of clearance on all sides of the spa, so a service person can have easy access.

Having offered those service related precautions, Spas And Stuff can proudly state that we have been selling the same brand of hot tubs for over four years, and we have had to schedule fewer than twenty warranty service calls for our customers.

At Spas And Stuff, we tell owners they may place their spa as they please, but if they block access, it will be their responsibility (and possible expense) to make the spa accessible. That may mean draining it and sliding it away from a wall. You can also pre-plan for situations like this. For example, if you plan to mount your hot tub flush into a deck, plan for service person access either with comfortable access under the deck, or perhaps removable deck panels around the hot tub. In general, our spas have most of their equipment on the same side that you find the topside electronic control panel. Our BellaGrande SLT (hot tub with built in TV and stereo), is a bit more elaborate, with major components on at least two sides of the spa. You can see many different examples of how our customers have located their portable hot tubs in our customer hot tub pictures section.

HOT TUB SPA INSTALLATION
The simplicity of installing a portable hot tub is often a surprise to many people. As mentioned, they are completely self-contained, so all they really need is to have the electrical connection brought to them. We realize many people like do-it-yourself projects, but we must recommend having a licensed electrician connect the 220 volt line to your new spa. That is unless you are purchasing a 110 volt spa with an attached GFCI cord that plugs into any typical home outlet…then you have a plug and plug and play hot tub. The factory takes several steps to ensure they are manufacturing the best quality hot tubs, including the fact that they fill every hot tub with water, and run it through several hours of quality control tests to ensure all operations function properly and there are no leaks. So once in place, connect the electrical line to your hot tub, use your garden hose to fill it with water, and then let it heat up and enjoy your hot water hydrotherapy.

Let Spas And Stuff help you create a personal paradise in your own backyard, at great discount prices. Please also see our beautiful, quality outdoor kitchens for your backyard, and our very popular indoor infrared saunas, including the Canadian red cedar models with the latest technology in carbon fiber heaters.

Hot Tub or Spa and what about Portable?

After several years in the business, I realize that people often aren't sure whether they want to purchase a hot tub or spa. There can often be extra confusion when they hear the popular industry terms; portable hot tubs and portable spas. What is the difference?

Hot Tub or Spa
If I may start with a bit of honesty, I don’t know if there is truly a difference in the use of the terms these days. Based on many conversations over the years, I believe the term hot tub was originally used for the classic round wooden hot tubs we have all seen in the movies. Early models may not even have had water jets, but instead were simply an outdoor hot tub full of hot water.
It is my understanding that the term spa has become popular when referring to the more modern models, which are very upscale. They may have multiple pumps, dozens of water jets, sometimes air jets, blowers, fancy lighting packages, stainless steel accented jets, high quality stereo sound systems, and even spas with built in hi-definition TV’s. What a list! Can this simply be called a hot tub, or does it need a specialty name, like spa?

In reality, the terms seem to be very interchangeable. Some folks say hot tub, some prefer spa, and of course to complicate the matter further, there is the registered trademark of Jacuzzi, which can often be thrown around as a generic term. I get frequent calls from folks wanting to purchase a “Jacuzzi spa.” I quickly discover they aren’t necessarily interested in a brand, but a hot tub with any number of the upscale features one would find in a “spa.”

Portable Hot Tub or Portable Spa?
Believe it or not, the official industry terms for the hot tubs offered at Spas N Stuff, are "portable hot tubs" and "portable spas." Although portable hot tubs may weigh six hundred to eight hundred pounds, they are completely self-contained. All of the spa equipment is housed within the cabinet. You’ll find pumps, the computer for controlling the system, the heater, all water and air hoses, insulation, and in the case of the deluxe models, the specialty hot tub stereos and the spas with a built-in waterproof TV.

When positioning a spa, once it is on a concrete pad, portable spa pad, deck, etc., the only connection required is the electrical line. No plumbing is required; simply fill the hot tub with a garden hose. If you want to move the portable hot tub at a future date, perhaps to a new home, simply drain it, disconnect the electrical, and it can be relocated like any other large piece of furniture. You will likely need a small crew with some equipment for the move, but the hot tubs are considered portable. In most areas of the country, that means they don’t get taxed as a typical home improvement.

So buy a hot tub (or spa if you prefer that name) today and enjoy a backyard vacation every day.

Should I Purchase a 110 Volt Hot Tub or a 220 Volt Hot Tub?

The question often arises from hot tub shoppers, whether or not they should purchase a 110 volt hot tub or a 220 volt hut tub. We have answered some of the most common hot tub sale concerns below.

The most common question is “which is better?”
While there are certainly more expensive hot tubs and cheap hot tubs in both 110 volt and 220 volt, the Spas N Stuff hot tubs for sale do not vary in quality, only features.
Neither unit is better, but 220 volt hot tubs are able to use more features than the 110 volt hot tubs, due to the larger electric circuit that they are connected to.
Regardless of the model, our outdoor hot tubs use the same quality of thick acrylic sheet, the same brand of electronics, heaters and pumps, the same expansion foam insulation, framing, cabinet material, and so on.

110 Volt hot tub difference #1…Heater Strength
We use the exact same heater in our 220 volt mid-size and small spas as we use in the 110 volt models. In a 220 volt hot tub, the heater is set to operate at 4 KW or 4000 Watts. That same heater in 110 volt hot tubs is set to operate at 1 KW or 1000 Watts. This is to help the spas total power consumption remains within the 15 amp limit of a typical household 110 volt outlet. This will mean that the spa will take longer to recover heat loss. Our portable hot tub spas automatically start to reheat when the temperature drops 1 degree F. Although 110 volt hot tubs have the same amount of insulation, the spa will need to run longer to recover from heat loss due to the heater operating at the lower 1000 watts.

110 Volt hot tub difference #2…Pump Strength & Jet Quantity
The 110 volt spa pumps simply are not as strong as the 220 volt spa pumps. This means they cannot pump as much water in terms of gallons per minute. To prevent the jets in the portable hot tub from feeling week, we cut back on the total number of jets. For example, our Avalon 220 volt spa has 28 jets, while our 110 Volt Avalon spa has 15 jets.

110 Volt hot tub difference #3…Heater Cycles
On all of our hot tubs, the pump that pumps the water through the heater is a 2 speed pump (high and low speeds). In many 220 volt spas, the heater can operate on whether the pump is on low or high speed. In the 110 volt hot tubs, the heater can only operate if the pump is on low speed. Again, this is due to the 15 amp supply of a typical household 110 volt outlet. If you are using the spa and the water cools by 1 degree and the pump is on high speed, you will see a heating indicator light on the electronic display, but the indicator will show the heater cannot turn on. When the pump is turned on low speed, the heater will be “allowed” to turn on by the computer controlled electronics system.

Can 110 volt hot tubs be converted to 220 volts?
In the case of our spas, the answer is yes. The heater will then operate at the stronger 4000 or 5000 watts. The pump will still be a 110 volt pump, so its operation will not change.

Outdoor Hot Tub Spas with Built in TV’s

Having a rather unique outdoor TV hot tub for sale for the last few years, we get a number of common questions that I would like to address for my readers.

Can I get a truly good quality TV built into an outdoor spa?
The answer is yes. But, as always, do your research. If the offer is for a “free TV with hot tub purchase,” your senses should tingle. Ask precisely what you are getting. How big is the TV in the hot tub spa?; is it actually in the hot tub, or mounted on the side?; is it on a motorized up and down drive?; if not, does it even go up and down?; what is the resolution of the screen?, is it an LCD screen?; does it come with a waterproof remote control?; and so on. Make sure you see the hot tub pictures before purchasing. You will get a better sense of the quality and if it will fit your needs.

Is the TV waterproof…and how?
In the case of the BellaGrande SLT (stereo, lights, television), the TV is waterproof to IP66 standards. That means you can use your TV hot tub with confidence, knowing that the water won’t damage the screen.
We incorporate a 20”, 720P hi-definition LCD TV in our BellaGrande SLT. That’s plenty of screen to enjoy television programs or DVD’s while relaxing or socializing with friends in your outdoor spa.

Does the TV in the hot tub work in snow?
Speaking only of our own TV hot tub model, the answer is yes. All of our outdoor spas are properly insulated with expansion foam for even the coldest northern climates. The TV stays warm and protected in the cabinet when not in use, so it will be ready to watch even in the chilly winter months.

Does the TV spa have a remote control?
The TV comes with a standard remote which is not okay for a hot tub environment. We include a waterproof programmable remote with our TV hot tub prices. The remote controls the TV, DVD, and Stereo functions. It can even be programmed to control other components like a satellite receiver.

Is the spa stereo waterproof?
Again, in our case, the answer is yes. Some manufacturers cut corners by putting car stereos or even marine stereos in their cheap hot tubs. Those units have air vents in the chassis for cooling. Since they are being put into spas, these manufacturers tape over the air vents to protect from water penetration, but risking overheating. Our spa stereos (stereo/DVD models in the TV spas) have a sealed chassis and use heat syncs for cooling. They are more expensive, but very durable and reliable in the field.

Introduction to Infrared Saunas

Infrared saunas are becoming more and more prevalent at gyms, spas, and home residences. The infrared technology produces heat through electromagnetic radiation heaters with temperatures reaching between 120°F and 150°F. In comparison, traditional or conventional saunas do not directly heat the body but rather warm the temperature through steam or air, up to 195°F.

One of the reasons infrared saunas are gaining popularity is because of the tolerability. Especially in the case of first time users, infrared provides the same sauna benefits of a traditional version, without the intense and sometimes unbearable heat and thick air.

To understand how the heat works, we can compare it to the sun. Infrared radiation is very similar to sunlight. Picture yourself lying in the park or on a beach. Your body is warmed by the light of the sun. If you move under a tree or umbrella where shade is present, your body temperature automatically lessens. Infrared Saunas work the same way. They are made with infrared heaters producing rays to directly heat your body.

Now, after reading the similarities of infrared saunas and sunlight, you might have concerns about the dangerous effects. The good thing is that infrared saunas are unlike UV or atomic radiation. They do not produce harmful rays like the sun but rather beneficial and safe heat. The heat increases your circulation, relaxes your muscles and tissues, and cleanses the body by creating sweat.

So, if you love the benefits of a traditional sauna but cannot take the high temperatures, Infrared saunas are a great alternative. Check out the many infrared sauna options that Spas N Stuff has available. We make shopping easy, right from the comfort of your own home! www.spasnstuff.com