Ahhhhhh… You just can’t beat the feeling of unwinding at the end of the day in your very own spa. Those leisurely soaks can seem a lot more attractive in the winter, especially on those days when you just can’t seem to warm up. Keep yourself, your family, and your friends safe while staying warm by keeping your spa at the right temperature during the colder months.
How Hot is Too Hot?
There are many safety warnings related to hot tub use, specifically due to the water temperature. This is because when you’re enjoying a relaxing soak in your hot tub, it’s tough to gauge your own body temperature due to your head and shoulders being exposed to the air temperature and your body being submerged in the hot water. Plus, because you’re submerged, you can’t perspire to regulate your body heat as you normally would when you’re overheating. This is why it’s important to limit your time in the spa, in addition to keeping a comfortable water temperature.
The water temperature in your hot tub should never exceed 104°F, a limit recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Many newer hot tubs have pre-installed safety settings that keep the water from going over this temperature.
Ideal Spa Temperature for Winter
As far as what temperature your hot tub should be in the winter…that’s more a matter of preference. Many spa owners prefer to keep their spa temperature between 102°F and 104°F, though even 100°F is safe and comfortable for a healthy adult. If you’re curious, try soaking at different temperatures to see what you prefer.
Keep in mind that in the winter, you definitely want the water temperature to be warmer than your body temperature (usually 98.6°F). Also, the cooler the temperature is set at, the smaller the distance between the water temperature and freezing temperatures. In instances of extended power outages, this could create the difference between your water freezing, and thereby causing damage to your hot tub, or not.
Of course, there are many reasons you may want to give special consideration to the water temperature. Your doctor may recommend certain temperatures or time limits depending on your health. The temperature should be lowered for children’s safety in the hot tub, as well as for women who are pregnant to enjoy a safe and relaxing dip in the spa.
What Temperature Should the Spa Be When It’s Not in Use?
Many people want to conserve energy around the house in as many ways as possible, and if that’s a priority for you, your spa doesn’t have to be an exception. Instead of turning the temperature down when you’re not using the hot tub, then turning it back up when you want to soak, it’s best to find your ideal temperature and keep the water consistently set there. Besides the energy saved by not having to crank the heat higher every time you use the spa, you also won’t have to wait every time for the water to warm up to your desired temperature, which could take a couple hours.
For Infrequent Hot Tub Use
If you will use your hot tub for less than two hours total per week, you can turn the temperature down – no more than 5°F below your preferred soaking temperature – when it’s not in use. Setting the water temperature any lower will cause your heater to work harder and longer than necessary, as well as increase your operating costs. A couple hours before you want to enjoy a soak, set the temperature where you want it.
Spa-Free Winter?
Even if you won’t be using your spa much over the winter, you should still maintain the water at a warm temperature to avoid freezing and damage. If you’d prefer to close your hot tub for the winter, schedule an appointment with Zagers’ spa professionals to make sure everything’s done right – that’s the best way to make sure your spa will be ready when you’re ready to enjoy it again.
Hot Tub Winter Tips
No matter what season it is, keep basic hot tub safety in mind: limit your soak to no more than 30 minutes, and be sure to stay well-hydrated.
In the dead of winter, it’s normal to see the water temperature drop a degree or so while the hot tub is used for an extended period of time. Sometimes the heater can’t keep up with the heat loss. If you’d like to decrease heat loss overall, you might consider making some changes to make your spa more energy efficient.
We highly recommend using a thermal spa blanket to help keep heat in the tub. Finally, make sure your hot tub cover is in good shape so it will keep heat from escaping; a damaged hot tub cover can cause a lot of wasted energy because the heater will run constantly to maintain the set temperature.
Do you have any other questions about hot tub use in winter? Comment below!