Hot tub ownership? Benefits worth the hassle?

[Greg]

This place usually amazes me with the experience of others... that in mind, I have a question about hot tubs!

I would like to own one, after a long day on the dirt bike or a rough day at work, it sure would be nice to relax in a nice, jetted hot tub out in the back yard! I've heard they're expensive to operate & maintain and can be a PITA. So the question... Is the payoff worth the hassle of owning a hot tub?

Hot tub owners of RME... what do you say?

 

[skeptic]

I had one growing up, and it was well worth it. 'Course I wasn't paying the electric bill, but maintenance wasn't bad at all. When we had our back yard torn up last summer, patio poured, etc. I had a conduit run from one side of the patio back to the part of the house where we will need run the electrical. We don't have a hot tub yet, but it's in our plans.

 

[flexyfool]

Yes. Worth it. I've owned a Jacuzzi for 7 years and use it all year a least a few times each week. 95 degree summer days and -15 degree winter nights and everything in between. It helps a lot with minor back pain and to loosen up after exercise. It has been mostly trouble-free in my opinion. Routine maintenance (every week or several months): typical chemicals, filter cleaning, and replacing the water. Long term maintenance (3 years or more): foam headrests, cover, ozone generator, filters. Fails: A capacitor froze on the controller board, bulged out, and prevented the board from powering up after an outage. I probably spend a hundred bucks each year on chemicals. I've probably spent a thousand bucks on long term maintenance. I'm guessing electricity is $20 per month, but electricity is cheap in Idaho with all the hydro-power. It is far easier to keep than a pool.

 

[Caleb]

While we don't currently have one, it's in our plans to install one when we finish our patio. When we had our house built, I had 220 power ran to the spot we want to put a hot tub in at. Everything is there for it, we just need to finish the patio I have a super crappy back, so no matter how much more it will cost to operate and maintain will be well worth it for me.

 

[mighty midjet]

I have a bit of an older tub and it it kinda a hassle to keep clean. The filter only runs when the heater or the jets run. When it's up to temp the heater doesn't kick on often. It's kinda surprising how dirty it can get in a month. Detergent from the swim suits, dirt from your feet, paint chips from the deck, hair, ect. If I had a chance for a new one I would put a big emphasis on a much better filtering system.

 

[JL Rockies]

I've never been in a hot tube... I've always feared the extra DNA floating around.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

We have a 2 person jetted tub in the master bathroom and absolutely love it, it's nice to call my wife when I'm on the way home from fishing or hunting and she will have the water waiting so all I have to do is push the button for the jets. I know it's not the "same" as a regular hot tub, but it requires much less maintenance and cheaper to run.

 

[smartass_kid]

I've never been in a hot tube... I've always feared the extra DNA floating around.

you've been reading too much seventeen magazine.

 

[SLC97SR5]

I see it as a total PITA and having young kids in a neighborhood with tons of little kids it seems like a big liability.

With that said I love soaking in Ricsrx tub and I'm sure he'll chime in with a much different opinion.

 

[TRD270]

I have an "older" 1997 hot tub that is currently broken. When it worked I loved it, feels great after a day of riding/skiing what have you. That being said it damn near doubles my power bill. I want to get rid of the one I have because it is huge, it came with the house when we bought it. Cleaning and maintenance isn't bad at all. My recommendation is to buy the smallest one that will work for you. Being just me and my lady the 6 seater damn near 500 gallon tub is way to much, and costs way to much. We are looking to get a smaller one in the future, probably a 3 person.

 

[frieed]

Recommendations:
1. Get a tub that has a continuous recirculation pump for constant filtration.
2. Get a salt water sanitizer system for it.
3. If you're not really big on the jets, a 120v system works just fine.

 

[Greg]

Thanks guys, lots of great information to think about. Hopefully once we are ready to act, I can find the right one for a decent price.

I don't have to worry about small children or neighbors kids (fenced in yard), owning a smaller 4 person tub is a good suggestion in order to keep operating costs down. We have a jetted bathtub... I want a "real" hot tub, outside. For me, if the power bill is sub-$50/mo, that's fine. Sounds like the chemicals, testing water & cleaning is within reason... I don't mind maintaining it, in order to have a clean hot tub.

 

[BCGPER]

I have an 8' that I've owned for 20ish years. Can honestly say, I didn't even notice it on the power bill and maintaining it is a breeze. Mine is indoors, so that helps with a lot off the issues. If you can keep the sun and dog off the cover, that will greatly lengthen the life (good covers are $$$). If I ever replace it, I'll go with a smaller one like 6'. Unfortunately, I built the room (enclosed deck) around the tub so this one will have to come out in pieces.

 

[Greg]

Thanks BC! It will be outdoors and I should be able to keep the dog off the cover. I'll check out a 6' tub and see if it's enough... probably will be fine. It will just be me & the wife most the time, no need for something big.

 

[ricsrx]

I have had a tub since 1994... I use it mostly in the winter almost nightly. They need maintenance like a pet, you leave them unattended and its work to get your water quality back up to par. Frieed gave you the best recommendation, make sure it has a continuous circulation pump,then the main jets don't have to be on a timer for water filtration. 2nd, a good filtering system, one filter is not enough to handle my kids and their friends. 3rd, 220vac so the pump and heater can run at the same time. a small tub only needs one pump, you don't need 2 too have a good tub. 4th, keep your dog away from it, they can have your cover and side panels destroyed over night......... My favorite tub manufacture.. Hot Springs hands down. the last tub I purchased is a smaller bullfrog, it does not have the better systems that their bigger more expensive tubs have , I wasted my money. there is a lot of good advice on this thread, young girls with tons of make up should be outlawed. swim suits that have been washed are full of soap and turn the tub into a bubble bath. break out the deformer..

 

[TRD270]

there is a lot of good advice on this thread, young girls with tons of make up should be outlawed.

Amen brotha

 

[flexyfool]

I have had a tub since 1994... I use it mostly in the winter almost nightly. They need maintenance like a pet, you leave them unattended and its work to get your water quality back up to par.

This is true. When the water gets stale, it is nearly impossible to get it nice again. The pH, etc. can be brought back but the water is bad in other ways. It is smelly and foams easy. Luckily, a hot tub doesn't hold much water. I simply drain and refill it every 3 months.

 

[JL Rockies]

This is true. When the water gets stale, it is nearly impossible to get it nice again. The pH, etc. can be brought back but the water is bad in other ways. It is smelly and foams easy. Luckily, a hot tub doesn't hold much water. I simply drain and refill it every 3 months.

Ugh... that's a lot of human swill. I feel like bathing in Purell now.

 

[gijohn40]

one thing that hasn't been stated is that the cover is the most important thing in the colder months... it keeps the heat in which keeps the heater from running continuously. We even had a plastic matt that looked like bubble wrap that laid on the top of the water and then the top on top of that and it helped keep the heat in.

I would also suggest that after any big party or large group that gets in it you should change the water out.

There are some that have a small recirc pump that runs on a timer while the big pump is for the jets. this is the only way to go.

 

[flexyfool]

If you have some room on the property, you might consider putting the hot tub away from the house in a secluded area or in a gazebo. This makes a focus for an outdoor rec area or private area to get away from commotion gong on in the house. I have mine perched on the hill above the house.