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Properly maintaining your hot tub will prevent serious issues from occurring down the road. You should replace the filter once a year, regularly look for and repair small cracks in the shell, and test the water quality every few months. You can do this yourself for less than $100 per year.

You can also hire a hot tub service to service your hot tub annually to identify problems early, which could save you money in the long run. They cost about $100 to $200 per call.

To refill a hot tub after winter, start by opening up the tub and giving it a quick cleaning. If you use antifreeze, drain out the water then grab a hose and thoroughly clean the tub shell out, spraying water into each jet of the tub. 

Reconnect the hot tub and turn the power back on. When it’s time to fill the tub again, insert the hose into the filter well (if available). Avoid trapping too much air in the water lines, which can cause the pump to lock up when it starts again. Add the necessary chemicals and start the heating process. It will take some time—most of a full day—for the water to heat up again.

How often you change the water in your swim spa depends on how often you use it. Most manufacturers recommend changing the water every three to six months. If you use your swim spa throughout the seasons, it’s a good idea to set up a quarterly deep cleaning schedule. The ideal instructions should be in the owner’s manual.

Though a hot tub has many benefits, there are a few cons. Mainly, hot tubs require a lot of maintenance. You’ll need to deep clean yours quarterly, test the pH at least once or twice a week, and add sanitizing chemicals once a week. They also have relatively high ongoing costs since you’ll need to pay for electricity and repairs.