Prolonging Life By Way of a Hot Tub

There are many benefits that come along with using a hot tub. The most notable is the stress that is released while in the act of enjoying your very own hot tub. As if lowering stress levels was not enough, it has been said that the heat that is put out by the hot tub actually opens the bodies blood vessels, otherwise known as vasodilation, causing blood pressure to be decreased. Aside from the serious health benefits, the enjoyment that one gets from laying around in their own hot tub is worth more than anything to some. They are well suited for an intimate night with the significant other, or a casual night of hanging out with friends. Once thought to only be affordable to the higher echelon of society, hot tubs are affordable for almost anyone in todays world.

 

Selecting A Spa Cover

The type of cover that you need to select for your spa depends on your location. The cover needed for a spa located in colder temperatures requires a cover to retain heat. A spa located in warmer temperatures may only need a cover to keep out rain. The biggest factor to consider for a spa cover is insulation used to prevent heat loss.

Function

The function of a spa cover is to preserve heat and lower the cost of operating the unit. The selection of a spa cover will need to serve a specific purpose based on this and other factors. You need to consider a specific style or design that will seen when your spa is not being used.

Shape

The specific design of your unit will dictate the shape of your spa cover. Designs for a spa can be made in the shape of an octagon, be a perfect square, have one cut corner or be a rectangle or round. You will need to select your cover based on the shape of your spa.

Insulation Efficiency

The insulation efficiency is based on a numerical calculation called the R-value. The higher number for the R-value, the better the insulation factor of the cover. A cover with a better insulation factor means a spa will retain heat in the cold for a longer period of time. This will also keep the costs for heating your spa down.

hothot tub covers will vary. The density of a standard cover may range from 1 pound to 1.5 pound and up to 2 pound. The pound for the density refers to the amount of raw material that is used when the cover is made. This foam will be the same thickness for each density. This means that a higher foam core density produces a stronger cover.

Foam Core Thickness

The thickness of spa covers will vary based on each product. Spa covers are thinner at the sides that in the middle to allow for rainwater to run off the cover and not pool on top. This is called the slope of the cover. The thicker the foam core the more pronounced the slope.

Additional Information

Some types of spa covers are hinged. This allows you to open one side of your spa without the need for the whole cover to be removed. This is a feature that you need to consider when you are ready to select your spa cover. You can easily research options for a spa cover by looking at various products found on the Internet.

Maintaining a Hot Tub or Spa

A hot tub is an incredibly fun product. However, it can also be a dangerous or expensive adventure if not maintained properly. To ensure optimum fun, be sure to check the water every couple of days. There should be nothing standing out to your eye. Chemically test the water with test strips twice a week. If something is wrong, immediately adjust to avoid damage. When checking chemical levels, ensure that your sanitizer contains the correct amount of free chlorine or bromine. This will reduce the hardness of the calcium in your water and keep your pipes healthy. When not in use, use econo-mode before hopping in. By cranking up the temperature right before you dip into the water, you make sure no to waste energy. Depending on the usage, change all of the water every 3, 4, or 6 months. If anything looks wrong, change immediately.

 

By following these tips, your spa or hot tub will continue to be extremely fun and low maintenance for the life of the product.

The Importance of Testing Hot Tub Water

Hot tub water should be tested on a regular basis. On average, it is recommended that the water be tested at least two times per water cycle. Typically, depending on the size and usage of the hot tub, a water cycle lasts roughly three months. The importance of testing the water cannot be overstated. Imagine having a couple hundred people in a normal sized residential swimming pool. The would be the equivalent of having two to three people in a hot tub. One of the most important factors to maintaining appropriate chemical levels in a hot tub is the pH level. Ensuring that the pH level is within recommended range helps fend off cloudy water, algae, and bacteria to name a few. Chemical levels also have much influence over the metal parts in the hot tub. Improperly maintained chemicals levels will almost certainly cause corrosion on any metal parts that are in the hot tub.