Q: How do I maintain my new hot tub?

• <div><p><a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/hot-tub-repair-cost.htm">Hot tub repairs cost</a> between <b>$200 and $500</b> on average. You can minimize those costs by <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/6-hot-tub-tips-soak-maximum-enjoyment.htm">maintaining your hot tub</a> 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&rsquo;ll always have them around. </p><p>Your hot tub should be drained of existing water, cleaned, and refilled every three to four months at a minimum. Follow your tub manufacturer&rsquo;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&rsquo;s cover in good lighting for any leaks, tears, or other damage that might cause problems. </p><p>Using your hot tub manufacturer&rsquo;s suggested cleaners and methods, keep your hot tub filters clean to avoid a loss of water heat. This will help extend the filter&rsquo;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.</p></div>

Q: Does everyone need to winterize their hot tub?

• <div><p>No. In fact, some owners prefer to &ldquo;summerize&rdquo; their hot tubs and use them primarily over winter to enjoy the contrast of cold and hot water. It&rsquo;s possible to keep the tub filled and running year-round, and some pros may even recommend this method compared to the work and risks of a full winterization every year.</p><p>However, keeping the hot tub running will require additional resources. You&rsquo;ll use more power and more chemicals to keep it in good shape. Weigh the pros and cons of your situation before making a decision.</p></div>

Question 1

At what temperature will hot tub pipes freeze?

Accepted Answer

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For a fully-foamed hot tub, freezing typically occurs when the temperature drops below 28 degrees Fahrenheit and remains at or below this level continuously for a minimum of 36 hours. If your hot tub and pumps are still operational, however, the water circulates, and this continuous movement helps prevent freezing, even in very cold conditions. This circulation, along with the insulation provided by the foam, helps maintain the water temperature and prevent it from freezing during extended cold periods. Still, if you’re not planning to run it regularly, be sure to winterize the hot tub properly to prevent damage from freezing.

Question 2

How do I maintain my new hot tub?

Accepted Answer

•

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.

Question 3

Is it more cost-effective to leave a hot tub running all the time?

Accepted Answer

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Generally, it is more cost-effective and energy-efficient to leave your hot tub on all the time rather than turning it on and off. Reheating a hot tub from a cold temperature consumes a significant amount of energy, so maintaining a constant temperature is usually more economical, especially with frequent use.

For daily or weekly use, it's recommended to keep the water at a constant, reduced temperature, such as between 80 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and then increase it to your desired temperature before getting in. If you know you won't be using the hot tub for an extended period, you can lower the temperature to save on energy costs. However, if you use it very infrequently, you can turn it off completely, as long as there is no risk of the water freezing.

Question 4

What is the best thing for cleaning a hot tub?

Accepted Answer

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The best thing with which to clean a hot tub is whatever the manufacturer recommends; in most cases, this is a gentle surface cleaner and a soft cloth. Recommended hot tub cleaners can include specially formulated cleaning agents, mild dish soap, baking soda, vinegar, or diluted bleach. For your hot tub exterior, choose wood or vinyl cleaner (depending on the casing material).

You should never use household cleaning products, harsh chemicals such as undiluted bleach or acids, or abrasive cleansers or cloths, as these can scratch or etch your hot tub’s coating or shell and cause permanent damage.

Question 5

Does everyone need to winterize their hot tub?

Accepted Answer

•

No. In fact, some owners prefer to “summerize” their hot tubs and use them primarily over winter to enjoy the contrast of cold and hot water. It’s possible to keep the tub filled and running year-round, and some pros may even recommend this method compared to the work and risks of a full winterization every year.

However, keeping the hot tub running will require additional resources. You’ll use more power and more chemicals to keep it in good shape. Weigh the pros and cons of your situation before making a decision.