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Yes. If you test the water and the alkalinity is too low, you can raise it by adding an alkalinity increaser, which likely came with your hot tub’s chemical kit. In a pinch, you can use baking soda to raise the hot tub’s alkalinity. Raising the alkalinity will prevent the hot tub water from becoming too acidic.

You can drain a hot tub very quickly by using a submersible pump rather than the hose-sized drain at the bottom exterior of the tub. A pump can move up to 30 gallons per minute, draining your hot tub in no time. Using the regular drain can take up to two hours.

Hot tub repairs cost between $200 and $500 on average. You can minimize those costs by maintaining your hot tub and keeping necessary supplies on hand. An elevated shelf in the garage is a great place to store your water care chemicals so that kids and pets will stay safe and you’ll always have them around. 

Your hot tub should be drained of existing water, cleaned, and refilled every three to four months at a minimum. Follow your tub manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning, and rinse thoroughly when finished to eliminate any residue from the cleaning products. This is also a good time to inspect your tub’s cover in good lighting for any leaks, tears, or other damage that might cause problems. 

Using your hot tub manufacturer’s suggested cleaners and methods, keep your hot tub filters clean to avoid a loss of water heat. This will help extend the filter’s useful life and efficiency. If the filter is more than two to three years old, replace it with a new one and buy a second filter to keep around as a spare.

Most hot tubs use between 1,500 watts and 6,000 watts of electricity, depending on the voltage of your heater. 120-volt heaters tip toward the low end, and 240-volt heaters tip toward the high end. Expect your pump to add another 1,500 watts. Newer, energy-efficient models use less electricity, while older models use more.