The summer Olympics are in full swing and you felt motivated to head to the gym to channel your inner athlete. Sounded like a good idea after watching the plethora of athletes making it look easy on the television, but now you can barely walk due to your sore muscles. SpasAndStuff.com is here to help you with that issue. Hot tubs are a great way to relax your overworked muscles and help relieve the soreness.
The best way to help heal muscle soreness after a tough workout is to fully relax your muscles, and hot tubs can help you achieve this relaxation. Spending just 30 minutes in a hot tub after working out can help decrease muscle inflammation, helping you recover quickly.
Hot tubs are a great way to promote healing throughout the body by helping you flush the toxins out of your muscles. Warm water combined with increased oxygen and circulation promotes healing inside and out. Research has also shown that the jets in a hot tub help raise antibody levels and white blood cells in injured areas, which help them heal faster by destroying injured cells and stimulating the formation of new, healthy tissue.
Improving nerve function and relieving stress are additional reasons hot tubs are a great place to bring your sore muscles. The increase in circulation due to the warm water can speed the healing of muscles and allow you to fully relax all your muscles.
Next time you overdo it at the gym and try to lift way more weight than you normally do, head to your nearest portable hot tub to help speed the healing from your sore muscles. If you work out on a regular basis, having your own personal hot tub to relax in after each hard workout will give you a tranquil paradise for your muscles. Make sure you grab a water to stay hydrated while relieving your sore muscles. Even if you’re not standing on the podium, your body will feel gold medal worthy at the end of the day.
Showing posts with label outdoor hot tubs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label outdoor hot tubs. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Hot Tub Therapy in the Snow
As fall begins to take over and the warm days of summer are slowly disappearing, everyone begins to pull out their winter gear and anything that makes them think of warmer days. Your hot tub should be one of the main focuses of getting ready for winter, as it offers a supreme winter escape from the cold weather and snowy conditions. Using your hot tub in the snow is one of the greatest times to enjoy all of the amazing, warm, soothing health benefits of owning a hot tub.
Many people particularly look forward to using their hot tub or outdoor spa during the cold months. You can find snowy hot tub pictures in our customer pictures section. While this time might be one of the most enjoyable to use your hot tub, there are some things you can do to prepare it to ensure it operates properly in snowy conditions. You want to ensure your hot tub has the maximum energy efficiency, especially if you live in an area that has freezing conditions.
One of the main things you can do to protect your hot tub in the snow is to prevent the water from freezing in the piping system. This can cause major damage and is easily preventable. Most portable hot tubs and spas have a system that is designed to prevent the water from freezing in the pipes. Modern hot tubs have a freeze protection system built in. It typically functions by turning the pumps on and circulating the water if the system senses the water temperature is too cold. The circulating water should not freeze and your pipes will be protected until a service technician can repair the cause of your hot tub water not heating.
Despite the icy and cold conditions, there are ways you can help your hot tub remain energy efficient. The colder the temperatures are outside, the longer it will take to heat up the spa. At www.spasandstuff.com, we sell hot tubs that are perfect for Northern snowy climates. With high R-Value expansion foam in the hot tub cabinet, and a thick cover to hold the heat in your spa, they are very energy efficient and should not be a big cost on your energy bill.
One of the best things you can invest in is a quality insulating cover. Make sure you remove any standing snow on the cover during the day, as they are not meant to hold excessive weight. If you have ever shoveled a driveway you know that snow gets heavy! We sell the perfect tapered cover, as they are tapered for rain and snow runoff. Hot tub replacement covers can be a great investment if you live in a snowy climate. Old, heavy, water-logged covers have very little insulating value.
We suggest cleaning your spa prior to the cold, snowy months, which will help get you through until the end of winter. So take these easy steps to winter ready your hot tub and you will be enjoying one of the most exhilarating moments of being a hot tub owner—sitting in the spa while the snow falls around you.
Many people particularly look forward to using their hot tub or outdoor spa during the cold months. You can find snowy hot tub pictures in our customer pictures section. While this time might be one of the most enjoyable to use your hot tub, there are some things you can do to prepare it to ensure it operates properly in snowy conditions. You want to ensure your hot tub has the maximum energy efficiency, especially if you live in an area that has freezing conditions.
One of the main things you can do to protect your hot tub in the snow is to prevent the water from freezing in the piping system. This can cause major damage and is easily preventable. Most portable hot tubs and spas have a system that is designed to prevent the water from freezing in the pipes. Modern hot tubs have a freeze protection system built in. It typically functions by turning the pumps on and circulating the water if the system senses the water temperature is too cold. The circulating water should not freeze and your pipes will be protected until a service technician can repair the cause of your hot tub water not heating.
Despite the icy and cold conditions, there are ways you can help your hot tub remain energy efficient. The colder the temperatures are outside, the longer it will take to heat up the spa. At www.spasandstuff.com, we sell hot tubs that are perfect for Northern snowy climates. With high R-Value expansion foam in the hot tub cabinet, and a thick cover to hold the heat in your spa, they are very energy efficient and should not be a big cost on your energy bill.
One of the best things you can invest in is a quality insulating cover. Make sure you remove any standing snow on the cover during the day, as they are not meant to hold excessive weight. If you have ever shoveled a driveway you know that snow gets heavy! We sell the perfect tapered cover, as they are tapered for rain and snow runoff. Hot tub replacement covers can be a great investment if you live in a snowy climate. Old, heavy, water-logged covers have very little insulating value.
We suggest cleaning your spa prior to the cold, snowy months, which will help get you through until the end of winter. So take these easy steps to winter ready your hot tub and you will be enjoying one of the most exhilarating moments of being a hot tub owner—sitting in the spa while the snow falls around you.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Cooling Down in Hot Tubs
The hot weather has arrived around the country, and many hot tub owners discontinue use of their spa during the summer months. SpasAndStuff.com thinks they are missing out on an amazing opportunity to enjoy your hot tub even when it is over 100 degrees outside. Hot tubs can be the best place to cool off during the hot summer months.
Hot tub owners can do a few things to keep the water cooler in the summer months. Start by turning the temperature down below 85 degrees. Your heater won't even cycle on. You can also remove the cover, turn on the jets on low, with the air flow open, and the hot tub should cool down a bit, at least to the level of ambient air temperature. To maintain the colder water, keep your hot tub covered on hot days so the sun doesn’t directly heat the the spa water. If possible, you may uncover your spa during the night to take advantage of the cooling effect of the cooler night air.
When it’s all said and done, you have a miniature soaking pool that is easier to maintain, and is the perfect size for a refreshing soak if you don’t have the space for a large, costly in-ground pool.
Another great benefit of cooling down your hot tub is the cost savings. Since you are setting your spa temperature very low, your spa heater will probably not cycle on at all, significantly reducing the monthly cost of electricity to run your hot tub. So as soon as the temperatures rise, run out to your hot tub and great ready for "summer mode." A cool hot tub, some ice cold lemonade and your closest friends and family sound like the perfect summer investment to me.
Just another reason to jump on the bandwagon and buy one of the great hot tubs from SpasAndStuff.com! With the numerous uses for a spa, you are truly running out of excuses, aren’t you? Let’s enjoy a refreshed, invigorating experience, while staying cool during the dog days of summer.
Hot tub owners can do a few things to keep the water cooler in the summer months. Start by turning the temperature down below 85 degrees. Your heater won't even cycle on. You can also remove the cover, turn on the jets on low, with the air flow open, and the hot tub should cool down a bit, at least to the level of ambient air temperature. To maintain the colder water, keep your hot tub covered on hot days so the sun doesn’t directly heat the the spa water. If possible, you may uncover your spa during the night to take advantage of the cooling effect of the cooler night air.
When it’s all said and done, you have a miniature soaking pool that is easier to maintain, and is the perfect size for a refreshing soak if you don’t have the space for a large, costly in-ground pool.
Another great benefit of cooling down your hot tub is the cost savings. Since you are setting your spa temperature very low, your spa heater will probably not cycle on at all, significantly reducing the monthly cost of electricity to run your hot tub. So as soon as the temperatures rise, run out to your hot tub and great ready for "summer mode." A cool hot tub, some ice cold lemonade and your closest friends and family sound like the perfect summer investment to me.
Just another reason to jump on the bandwagon and buy one of the great hot tubs from SpasAndStuff.com! With the numerous uses for a spa, you are truly running out of excuses, aren’t you? Let’s enjoy a refreshed, invigorating experience, while staying cool during the dog days of summer.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Salt Water Hot Tubs are more Popular than Ever.
Salt-water hot tubs are all the rage!! This very popular and growing trend is virtually chemical-free. Many clients ask us questions about the difference between salt-water hot tubs and regular chlorine hot tubs. We are here to clear the fog about these hot tubs, and why they might be the right choice for you!
The following are some of the differences between a salt-water hot tub and a conventional, chlorine-based tub:
A few skeptics have compared salt-water hot tubs to the ocean. The salt in a salt water hot tub is only 1500 to 2100 ppm of sodium, while the ocean has tens of thousands of ppm of salt.
SpasAndStuff.com offers the Gecko in.clear® salt bromine generator that uses sodium bromide to produce free bromine in spa water using a chemical reaction similar to that used in a saltwater chlorine generator. A big feature of the bromine salt generator is that the salt content in the water is much less than a salt chlorine generator. With the in.clear® system, it is around 1,400 ppm, compared to a salt chlorine generator system, which is more than 2,000 ppm. The lowered salt level is an important benefit because not only is it a less expensive option, but it also reduces the potential for corrosion, which is a concern in saltwater environments under certain conditions.
So if you're planning to buy a saltwater hot tub, saltwater spa, check out our options at Spas And Stuff, where every day is a Sale!
The following are some of the differences between a salt-water hot tub and a conventional, chlorine-based tub:
- Our Salt-water hot tubs use Bromine instead of chlorine, which has fewer odors, a more neutral smell and tends to be less harsh on the skin and eyes.
- The water feels better. Saltwater spas are much like soft water and it seems they may be less drying to the skin.
- Salt-water can actually be better for your spa since you do not have to use powders to clean it. Since the Bromine keeps it clean and bacteria free, fewer harsh cleaning agents are required for regular upkeep.
- Hardware on chlorine hot tubs may face more risk of corrosion when exposed to sunlight, than on Bromine sanitized spas. This occurs in only certain conditions if the unit is placed in a sunny area, please keep this in mind.
A few skeptics have compared salt-water hot tubs to the ocean. The salt in a salt water hot tub is only 1500 to 2100 ppm of sodium, while the ocean has tens of thousands of ppm of salt.
SpasAndStuff.com offers the Gecko in.clear® salt bromine generator that uses sodium bromide to produce free bromine in spa water using a chemical reaction similar to that used in a saltwater chlorine generator. A big feature of the bromine salt generator is that the salt content in the water is much less than a salt chlorine generator. With the in.clear® system, it is around 1,400 ppm, compared to a salt chlorine generator system, which is more than 2,000 ppm. The lowered salt level is an important benefit because not only is it a less expensive option, but it also reduces the potential for corrosion, which is a concern in saltwater environments under certain conditions.
So if you're planning to buy a saltwater hot tub, saltwater spa, check out our options at Spas And Stuff, where every day is a Sale!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Hot Tub Resolutions
New Year’s resolutions are all the rage every year. And every year, they are forgotten by February 1st. We at SpasAndStuff.com think resolutions need to be more fun. So the following are our version of your top five New Year Resolutions for Hot Tub Owners, or those planning to buy a hot tub:
- In 2011, we will not try to fit more than 12 people in the hot tub at one time. Big crowds equal big messes, so try to limit your hot tub guests to the nearest and dearest in the New Year. You never really liked your cousin Bobby that much anyway.
- I will replace any old hot tub parts before they completely break. If you see something wearing down, replace it before it begins causing bigger problems somewhere else.
- Cleanliness is important for any hot tub to be happy. Hot tubs love being taken care of. And they get awfully mad when they are dirty. So make sure you rinse and change your filters every often.
- Cover your hot tub when it is not in use. For one, you don’t want your hot tub to get dirty during its down time. See #3. And two, you don’t want any Hot Tub Gang Members to use your tub when you are not home.
- Use and abuse your hot tub this year. Use the hot tub during parties, when you get home from a hard work out, when you need some serious relaxation time and for a nice evening with your wife or girlfriend. Hot tubs were bought to be used so enjoy it with every last ounce of joy in 2011.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Friday, March 19, 2010
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.
Friday, February 19, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Outdoor Hot Tub and Spa Electrical Safety Considerations
Outdoor hot tubs and spas are wonderful products, but they do require electrical current to run. Besides the obvious, hazardous implications of mixing water and electricity, there are other safety precautions to consider when enjoying your spa.
Around the hot tub
- Think about installing outlets with covers that protect connected plugs
- Do not touch any electrical appliance around the spa or hot tub while your body is still wet
- Do not place cords or plugs in close proximity to your tub as well as damp pipes and puddles.
- Do not try to be a hot tub repairman (unless that is your profession of course). Make sure a licensed, electrical professional addresses any repairs or electrical concerns.
Electrical appliances
- Do not leave any tools or appliances running unattended or left for small children to find
- Do not move around with appliances while they are plugged in and turned on
- Check for cracked or broken wires because they can quickly become hazardous
- Do not carry appliances or tools by their cords.
Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
A ground fault is an unintentional, electrical path existing between an electrical current's source and a grounded surface. Currents sometimes "leak", enabling electricity to escape to the ground. If a person's body approaches the leak, it can facilitate its connection to the ground, in turn providing shocks, burns, and electrocutions.
GFCIs were created to circumvent such hazards from occurring. A GFCI continuously monitors a home's wiring system, and finds sources losing current (or leaking). When a GFCI senses a disparity in regular electrical currents, it cuts the power to that specific circuit. A GFCI can be the difference between something feeling like a "static shock" and a painful electrocution.
Around the hot tub
- Think about installing outlets with covers that protect connected plugs
- Do not touch any electrical appliance around the spa or hot tub while your body is still wet
- Do not place cords or plugs in close proximity to your tub as well as damp pipes and puddles.
- Do not try to be a hot tub repairman (unless that is your profession of course). Make sure a licensed, electrical professional addresses any repairs or electrical concerns.
Electrical appliances
- Do not leave any tools or appliances running unattended or left for small children to find
- Do not move around with appliances while they are plugged in and turned on
- Check for cracked or broken wires because they can quickly become hazardous
- Do not carry appliances or tools by their cords.
Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
A ground fault is an unintentional, electrical path existing between an electrical current's source and a grounded surface. Currents sometimes "leak", enabling electricity to escape to the ground. If a person's body approaches the leak, it can facilitate its connection to the ground, in turn providing shocks, burns, and electrocutions.
GFCIs were created to circumvent such hazards from occurring. A GFCI continuously monitors a home's wiring system, and finds sources losing current (or leaking). When a GFCI senses a disparity in regular electrical currents, it cuts the power to that specific circuit. A GFCI can be the difference between something feeling like a "static shock" and a painful electrocution.
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