Precautions for Outdoor Hot Tubs Used in Winter

A growing number of people are now using their hot tubs in the outdoor area during the chilled winter condition. Though winter is the most perfect time to soak in outdoor hot tubs, there are a few precautions users should take to make sure the smooth operation and energy efficient performance of their hot tubs. 

Keep the heat or freeze protect system on – In almost all modern varieties of outdoor hot tubs an Automated Heat or Freeze Protection system works to get functional as soon as the temperature of tub water starts to fall down at night.  Some of the tubs also have a timer set automated heat button fixed on the control box which can be switched to the auto heat mode in order to prevent the water in the tub and the jet piping from getting frozen.    

In case there is not timer or automated heat and freeze protection in your outdoor hot tubs, you should think of keeping it operational using low speed heat option for 24 hrs until the risk of freezing point disappears. If you want to implement it, you can ask a professional electrician to fix a timer on the electric wiring that provides power to your tub. In this way, you will be able to save a significant amount of money. 

In some outdoor hot tubs, a thermostat dial can be found on the heating system.  The users can set this dial at the optimal or high heat position. In spite of this, if you find that the hot tub does not keep hot enough, increase the dial running duration. If the tub gets extremely hot, change or reduce the thermostat setting. However, the dial running time should be kept unchanged.  

Properly heat up your outdoor hot tub: To keep your utility bills down and maintain the temperature of your hot tub water, you will have to follow a controlled environment approach. Don’t let the tub get extremely cold and go up in heat on demand.  Most of the outdoor hot tubs function around a perfectly controlled environment. It will keep down the risk of a frozen tub and increased expenditure for paying your electric bills. So, it is advised to maintain the temperature of the tub water consistently and regularly during the cold winter days. 

It requires more time and more energy to heat up your hot tubs when it is highly cold outside or inside. So, outdoor hot tubs should run for longer time during chilled winter days to attain the same heat as experienced in the summer months. 

Drain your hot tub and use a hot tub cover for thermal insulation: It is not at all easy to drain your tub and keep it perfectly clean even when it is too much cold outside. So, its better to clean the tub and refill it in the middle of December when the temperature is mild and continue using chemicals or sanitizers in it to avoid draining it again in the coldest months. Again, you will have to use hot tub cover for trapping and heat inside and maintaining thermal insulation with low energy consumption and utility bills.  

For 100% safe and natural soaking experience round the year, consider purchasing from the highly insulated varieties of wood fired hot tubs or outdoor hot tubs from Northern Lights. We also offer a great variety of custom pieces of cedar wood accessories like enclosures, stairs and side shelves to compliment your outdoor hot tubs and enhance your experience as well. Contact us online to know about the pricing of our traditional and modern hot tubs today!