Outdoor hot tub buying guide - Guide

Outdoor Spa Buying Guide

When choosing an outdoor spa, there are many things to consider. We know it can be a bit of a jungle to navigate if you're unfamiliar. So, to make it easy for you, we have put together a complete buying guide below that we think you should take 5 minutes to read through.

We will cover the following points:

• Outdoor spa or outdoor hot tub?

• How big should an outdoor spa be?

• What does an outdoor spa actually cost?

• What additional costs are there?

• Why is insulation so important?

• What does the installation involve?

Outdoor spa or outdoor hot tub?

Is there a difference? No, not really. A beloved child has many names, and this also applies to products in the spa industry. You will find that we refer to it as both outdoor spa, outdoor hot tub, and outdoor spa bath, both in the text here and generally on the website. In the end, it's one and the same thing... Anyway, moving on to the buying guide.

How big should an outdoor spa bath be?

The first two things to consider are size and number of seats. These two often go hand in hand.

Below we have listed three things to consider when choosing the size:

• How many people should my outdoor spa accommodate?

• How many loungers should there be in my outdoor spa?

• How much space do I have on my patio for an outdoor spa bath?

But what does an outdoor spa cost?

The price can vary quite a bit depending on your wishes. For example, whether the outdoor spa should be used for sitting in warm water, getting a nice massage, or having a nicer design than the neighbor's spa.

We would like to mention a small detail in connection with this.

Regardless of whether you buy an outdoor spa from us for 20,000 or 120,000 SEK, the quality is ALWAYS the same. In short, the only two differences are actually the size and the equipment.

Are there other costs for an outdoor spa?

Yes, there are. An outdoor spa bath itself is not expensive to acquire. However, you should keep in mind that operating your outdoor spa entails some small expenses. These include things like water care products and power consumption.

Regarding the power consumption for an outdoor spa bath, some manufacturers often provide a concrete consumption figure in kronor and öre – but the truth is that no one knows exactly how much it will cost. Compare the question to how much a toaster costs in electricity – it depends on how often you toast bread and how heavily you toast it.

4 tips on how to reduce your outdoor spa's power consumption:

1. If you don't use your outdoor spa every week, but perhaps every other week, it might be beneficial to lower the temperature a bit – for example, to 32 degrees.
2. Consider investing in a heat pump for your outdoor spa. On a typical summer day, you can then reduce your heating costs by up to 75%!
3. Invest in a protective cover. A protective cover provides your outdoor spa with extra insulation and protects the thermal cover and outer panels from weather and wind.
4. Ensure that the thermal cover is always in place and that it is locked with straps so it doesn't blow off. Also, check that the side skirts are properly pulled down over the outdoor spa.

Why is insulation important in an outdoor spa?

Insulation is crucial for low power consumption. – But how is good insulation defined? The outdoor spa should be properly foam-insulated, and the panels should be insulated with heat-reflecting film. The thermal cover should be safety approved and designed for sub-zero temperatures. It should be able to withstand heavy snow, and water should be able to drain off it without problems.

Outdoor spa installation - what should you pay attention to?

We have now reached the final point in our buying guide: The installation process. Once you have chosen your desired outdoor spa and purchased it, there are three things to consider: embedding it in a deck, space requirements, and power connection.

Can I embed my outdoor spa in the deck?

We often get asked if it's possible to embed an outdoor spa so that it integrates with the deck. The short answer is yes. However, there are 2 points to be aware of:

• An outdoor spa bath must stand in a pit that is level, drained, and possibly with a drain.
• There must be at least 0.5 m of free space around your entire outdoor spa, or at least on the sides with the technical/mechanical components, for a service technician to access it.

Are there any requirements for the subsurface?

Yes, there are. An outdoor spa cannot simply be placed on the lawn. An outdoor spa requires a sturdy and stable surface that can withstand the significant weight – a spa can weigh up to 4,000 kg when filled with water. We recommend building a stable wooden deck or laying tiles under your outdoor spa. Also, remember that an outdoor spa must be 100% level. -> (At least almost).

How do I connect my outdoor spa?

An outdoor spa requires 3 x 400 V / 16 A + 0 grounding in power, and if you are not an authorized electrician yourself, we recommend that you get help from one to connect the power for your new outdoor spa.

The control box to which the electricity should be connected is usually located behind the panel directly below the display. On some outdoor spas, you can relatively easily pull the cable up through one of the spa's 4 corners and then to the control box. This also helps with the appearance, as a large black cable on the deck never looks good.

ALWAYS remember to fill your outdoor spa with water before turning on the power, and ALWAYS remember to turn off the power when you are going to empty it again.

Conclusion:

Having a good basic understanding of life with an outdoor spa is the first step towards choosing the right one. The knowledge you have now gained and the next step – the fun part – is finding the model that suits you best.

Remember that we have different series of outdoor spas, and each has its own fantastic characteristics. Click here to see our range.