Nothing beats a relaxing hot tub dip in the middle of a Midwestern winter. To many people, the winter months are the best time to enjoy the hot tub. Operating a spa during the winter months can be tricky as the water temperature needs to be well above the freezing point to prevent damage. Following a few tips can help prevent costly and time consuming repairs. We put together a simple list to help keep any hot tub clean and free from winter damage during the cold season.
- Prepare – Get Supplies
Before anything else, make sure you have everything you need to maintain the hot tub. This includes: extra filter cartridges, plenty of sanitizer, chemicals, test strips, and anything else needed to last through the winter. It’s better to have all of the supplies beforehand and not have to worry about braving the winter roads in the middle of January.
- Protect the Pipes
Like most exterior spigots on a home, winterizing exposed pipes is going to prevent repairs in the spring – repairs that will take away relaxation time in your hot tub. One of the major risks of operating a hot tub in the winter is that water can freeze in the pipes. Most spas have a freeze protection system. This will need to be activated before the weather is consistently below the freezing point. The freeze protection system helps maintain a higher water temperature when the spa is not in use. If the hot tub does not have freeze protection, set a timer to cycle every 15-20 minutes.
- Keep it Covered
Continued use of a hot tub during the winter months can be expensive. A well insulated cover is essential for reducing the energy requirements of the hot tub during the winter. It is a good idea to use a thermal blanket under the top hot tub cover to help retain the heat, reduce chemical use, and decrease moisture build-up on the cover. To safeguard against harsh weather conditions, and remove snow before it accumulates, it is also recommended to use a vinyl protectant.
- Keep an Eye on the Water Level and Temperature
If the spa is not going to be used every day, still keep an eye on both the water temperature and the water level. When the water gets too low, the pump and heater may stop working which will cause the water to freeze. As the weather gets colder, the longer it will take for the spa to heat up. Remember, it is less expensive and more efficient to maintain the water temperature on a daily basis than it is to let it get extremely cold and reheat it for every use.
- Turn off Air Jets
Lastly, running the air jets in the winter uses a huge amount of energy because they force cold air into the spa water. This in turn lowers the water temperature – raising the cost of heating it.
Have a swimming pool or hot tub related question? Contact Zagers Pool & Spa by email or phone at 616.896.1717 today!