History of the Hot Tub...

The first evidence of hot water used for therapy dates back to The Ancient Egyptians in 2000 B.C.

Since then Greeks, Romans, Asians and early American settlers have tapped into natural reserves of hot water for relaxation and health benefits.

More recently, (rumoured to be in California, 1958) the first purpose-built Hot Tubs were home-made from large wooden barrels and fitted with submersible wood-burning stoves. 

These evolved during the 1960's into commercially available products, while the 1970's saw the introduction of the gel-coat fibreglass shell and later that decade, an Acrylic/Fibreglass shell which eliminated the drawbacks of gel-coat or timber construction and facilitated the inception of "The Portable Spa".
 
In 1983 Monarch Spas was founded in Melbourne, Australia. Soon after came the first Spa World store in Melbourne.

Now with over 50 Spa World stores across Australia and Europe, we are a household name in many countries worldwide.

Hot Tub, Swim Spa, Jacuzzi or Whirlpool?

Today; Hot Tub, Spa, Jacuzzi or Whirlpool are generic terms for any heated hydrotherapy pool.

The Jacuzzi is so-called because the first water jet used for hydrotherapy was invented by the Jacuzzi brothers (like a vacuum cleaner being called a Hoover).

The latest step forward is the Swim Spa or Exercise Pool - a very large hot tub where you can exercise, swim on the spot, or have a spa, without the installation, heating, cleaning and cost often associated with a swimming pool.

Acrylic Shell: Colour and Texture?

There are three main types of acrylic textures: Pearlescent, Marble and Granite

Pearlescent - Amazing looks, shiny metallic colours, often in a swirling pattern
For: Stunning looks; metallic surfaces look amazing with stainless steel jets and LED lighting
Against: Higher maintenance because dirt and marks are more apparent

Marble - Regular glossy colours such as Greens and Blues can be better suited to water.
For: Swirling blues and greens; can look great with stainless steel jets and LED lighting
Against: Higher maintenance, showing up dirt and marks, while less impressive than pearlescent

Granite - (often referred to as Quarite) is made from plastic chips ground up and formed into a sheet
For: Texture reduces slipping, marks are less visible, harder wearing, can seem more stone-like
Against: Lacks the wow factor of the other finishes, stainless steel Jets and LED's are less effective

Make sure you choose a brand of spa using a reputable brand of Acrylic, namely: Aristech or Lucite - the two largest producers worldwide.

Chinese factories are starting to copy these brands, however sheets are often cast, not extruded, making them very brittle, and prone to cracking. If the spa isn’t made from a branded acrylic, avoid at all costs as the acrylic is what keeps the spa watertight for ten or so years and can't be replaced.

A Lucite or Aristech Acrylic shell backed with several layers of fibreglass is the most expensive and strongest shell construction method; normally given a 10 yr warranty.

Cabinet Construction

There are two common methods of bonding the shell to the cabinet;

a)  Shells that sit on the cabinet
b)  Shells that overhang the cabinet

(a) Less suitable for the UK climate; water rests on the wooden plinth causing unsightly marks, and eventually rotting or splitting.

(b) An "overhang" or "lip-over-edge" shell allows the water to fall away from the cabinet for better looks and less maintenance

Today there are several cabinet construction materials available:

a) Pine or Spruce (often untreated)
b) Cedar or Mahogany
c) Plastic or Synthetic

(a) These softwoods are generally unsuitable for the UK due to damp, rotting and maintenance.

(b) Despite being a softwood, Cedar has natural anti-rot/pest properties (even untreated), and is often used in UK construction as a cladding material.

Mahogany is a hard wood - both are more suitable for British weather conditions, although if the mahogany is varnished, it will need sanding and re-varnishing every year or two, to look good.

(c) Synthetic (plastic) cabinets offer almost zero maintenance requirements. Provided the material is waterproof and UV stable, these materials can offer visual appeal, extra insulation and wont rot, ever.

Avoid synthetic cabinets made from printed fibre board; these may look OK initially, but de-laminate when wet. If you are considering a synthetic cabinet, make sure you see a sample and question the material or check the warranty offered.

Insulation Techniques

Perimeter insulation creates an insulated barrier around the hot tub cabinet , locking heat inside; just like a house. This means that the pumps, heaters, and plumbing are all protected by the insulation and also enables the masses of heat given off by the pumps and electrical components to be re-used. Our pumps can raise the temperature of the spa water by several degrees without the heater being used.

Another approach is to spray a thin layer of foam onto the back of the spa shell. This leaves all pipes and pumps exposed to low external temperatures so that as the circulation pump tries to heat the water, it is then is cooled again as it travels back to the spa through cold pipes. This can also mean that when the jet pump is first used, the initial water flowing back through the jets can be cold for the first few seconds!

With the recent influx of  Asian-made spas, full foam insulation is becoming more and more prolific, despite the fact that it can harm workers using it, and the environment, due to high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds it emits when applied.

This foam can degrade into a brittle, yellow dust over time. Turning the hot tub upside-down and pumping the whole spa full of foam works well until the foam breaks down and starts to sag, or if there is a leak or other problem.

Full-foam means the spa must often be jacked up and re-filled to find the leak while the engineer literally digs the foam back out until the leak is found. This process can take several trips to site to fix a simple leak that could be repaired the same day on another spa.

Finally, rather than re-using the huge amounts of heat given off by the pumps and heater, it is vented to outside the spa, wasting energy.

Brands who sell fully-foamed hot tubs will claim that it makes them cheaper to run - read on to find out more.

Heaters

Some entry-level hot tubs have no heater at all and feed the water around the outside of the pump, cooling the pump and heating the pool. This is great if used in conjunction with an electric heater, but no use on its own; open the cover, turn on the jets and the temperature will drop rapidly.

The same is true of smaller 1.5kw electric heaters that will struggle to keep-up in colder British weather.

One very well known company claims to have the lowest UK running costs, because they fit 1.5kw heaters where most would use 3kw.

Despite offering a very high quality product and service, the lack of power on their spas fitted with smaller heaters will mean the water temperature can drop quickly in winter when using the hot tub.

Generally heater sizes for UK spas should be around 2kw for a small spa and 3kw for a large spa, while a Swim Spa will require a heater of between 3 - 6KW.  



Ozone vs Ultra Violet Light?

An ozone generator produces ozone gas which is dissolved into the spa water. This, like chlorine, bromine and other sanitisers helps to kill bacteria in the spa, meaning less chemicals are used.

Two types of ozone generator are: CD or UV (Capacitor Discharge or Ultra Violet). The generator’s CD Chip or UV Bulb will generally need replacing year or two.

Ozone’s drawback is that even with a good mixing chamber it soon escapes from the water and builds up under the cover where the gas attacks it, as well as other plastic parts, causing staining, discolouration, and disintegration. There is also significant evidence linking low level Ozone to Asthma and other respiratory problems.

A new, but very different technology called a "UV Sanitiser" also uses UV Light to kill bacteria, yet without producing any Ozone.

The filtered water passes through a clear tube where it is exposed to a specific spectrum of Ultra Violet light, so no gas or chemicals are added to the water. This light kills 99.9% of bacteria, yeasts and viruses on the first pass through the chamber. So the disinfection process occurs in the chamber only and not in the bathing area.

The "UV Sanitiser" also helps oxidise the by-products of the disinfection process. These are the by-products called "Chloramines" (responsible for "that chlorine smell", sore eyes, etc).

Spa and Hot Tub Covers

Reputable retailers will supply a thermal, rigid cover as standard. Floating "Bubble" or "Solar" covers used in conjunction with a hard cover can further improve its performance, yet are not suitable for the UK climate when used on their own.

The purchase cost of a proper hard cover is often far less than a year‘s running costs without one!

Our extra-strong covers taper to the sides to that water runs off, preventing formation of puddles or unsightly water marks; and are included in the purchase price of our hot tubs. They insulate so well that in winter, frost often forms on the spa cover before the ground!

Fitting a cover lifter to larger spas can make cover removal and replacement a one-handed operation - ideal on cold evenings!



Pumps and Power

Pump performance is generally quoted in HP or Horse Power. This is an area of the market that is prone to ambiguity, as the number litres per minute the pump produces determines how good it is.

BHp is often used, (and misquoted as HP) to artificially inflate the perceived power of a pump; 2.5Hp is often referred to as 4.8BHp and 3.0Hp is often referred to as 5.2BHp. Our pumps are equivalent to what are often referred to on US-made spas as "56 Frame 5Hp Wet End Pumps".

Older hot tubs use a two speed pump. This is so the same pump can filter/heat the water (on the low speed) and power the jets (high speed). These pumps are typically less reliable and far noisier than single speed pumps due the motor being adapted to work on two speeds.

Circulation (or circ') pumps are small pumps often fitted to more up market hot tubs and normally run 24/7. These little pumps are just used for heating/filtration, not for powering the jets. Their small motors and 24hr operation, not only save energy, but reduce chemical consumption with permanent filtration. These can have a short life span as they run 24/7/365 without a break so are normally given just a one year warranty.

Monarch now use a circulation pump that is only slightly larger than an average circulation pump. While the power consumption of the pump is barely higher than normal, the inlets, outlets and actual pump are much larger in diameter.

This promotes increased flow rate meaning that the same level of filtration can be achieved during just 8 hours per day (most run 24/7), saving energy and extending component life - that's why these pumps are warranted for a full 3 years, and cost less to run.

Diverter Valves

Diverter valves are an essential feature. Generally there is one diverter valve per pump.

Say for instance that a hot tub has 4 seats and 1 pump, with a diverter valve fitted. If there are only 2 people using the spa, the water can be diverted into just 2 of the seats, boosting pressure to the selected seats. If there are 4 people using the spa, the diverter valve can be set to the middle position where each seat receives equal pressure, and everyone gets a massage.

Diverter valves enable the user to change the water pressure from 0% to 100% and anywhere in between, so you can have a relaxing tickle, or a pummelling massage.

Our tubs use manifold plumbing, meaning that each individual jet is pressurised equally. This helps to reduce friction between the water and pipes, reduce the use of 90deg angles, and generally improve the flow of water through the spa. This in turn extends component life and reduces problems.

Electricity Supply

Most of today's hot tubs use electricity to operate and run the spa. All our spas must be installed by an NICEIC or other "Part P" registered electrician in accordance with BS7671 and any other relevent codes of practice. Ask to see their card to ensure the person is qualified and competent to carry out the electrical works safely. You should also receive a certificate signing-off the completed work.

Spas generally come in a variety of power configurations:

a) 13Amp (saves "hard-wiring" costs, but lacks power),
b) 16Amp,
c) 20Amp,
d) 32Amp,
e) 40Amp,

All configurations other than (a) will require a dedicated cable running through (or around) your house from the consumer unit (fuse board) to the spa. While more costly in terms of labour and materials, these supplies ensure you have all the power you need to keep the spa hot in any weather, without restricting the operation of pumps or blowers.

13Amp spas either use heat recovery (see heaters, above), so don't have a heater, or use load shedding to keep the total current drawn by the spa under 13amps.

Load Shedding means when pumps are activated at the same time as the air blower, the heater will simultaneously switch off, keeping the load under 13amps. This is great for ½ hour sessions, but in winter or for longer sessions, you’ll have to turn the pumps/blower off to re-heat the spa.

SEE OUR PRE-DELIVERY GUIDE FOR HELP FINDING A PART-P APPROVED ELECTRICIAN NEAR YOU

Concrete Base, Paving, or Decking?

There are many ways to integrate your spa with its surroundings by using a terrace, walls, screens and plants. If your garden slopes, this is an ideal opportunity to sink the spa slightly so that you can step down into it.

A concrete base for a spa should be at least 100mm thick, preferably reinforced with welded mesh. Swim Spas or larger spas may require up to a 200mm thick base with reinforcing.

In some instances, properly laid patio slabs are sufficient for all but the largest spas. This means compacted hardcore, with a mortar bed, surfaced with at least 1" thick slabs. If you are concerned about subsidence, you must use a concrete pad and pave/deck over it.

Decking should be 8” floor joists if there is any kind of span. Otherwise, 4 joists with suitable supports of an adequate spacing should suffice. As an alternative, simply deck over a concrete pad.

The only drawback of sitting your spa directly onto concrete is that the pad can absorb heat, just like a giant night storage heater. So make sure your spa has an insulated base if you opt for this foundation.

See our pre-delivery for more info on foundations, bases, and electrical supplies... ...or you can use our slide show of customer installations around the world as inspiration for your own grand design!

Where to buy your spa?

Showrooms and independent dealers:

Buying a hot tub from a showroom means you get to see one similar to the model you are interested in, maybe see it working, and possibly even try it out. Generally though, the wet-test model is the most expensive, and unless this is what you are buying, you will not really know what another model is like. Showrooms are a great way of getting an idea of your requirements and budget before you buy.

Surprisingly, buying from a showroom does have its disadvantages:

1. Showroom rent, staffing, power, and other overheads are all paid for by you, when you buy a spa

2. The sales person is either the owner, or on commission, so you may get pressured into a decision

3. Once you have been to a few showrooms its easy to become bamboozled by the different sales pitches, selling points, and occasional misinformation.

3. Showrooms that are independently financed, and not part of a large chain are more likely go bust

4. If a retailer goes out of business, (not uncommon in the UK), your warranty will often go with then. Some manufacturers will offer some form of support to the purchaser in this instance so check the warranty card.

Even more surprising is that buying a spa online has many advantages over a showroom:

1. Under distance selling regulations, you get a cooling off period, not the case with a showroom

2. You can save over 50% of the purchase price of a spa by dealing direct with a website

3. Web companies have lower overheads so can be more financially stable than a showroom

4. A website MUST have factually correct information on it; unlike a salesman, it can't misinform

5. Websites enable you to quickly compare prices and specifications, at your leisure, without pressure

6. Spa World offer a 7 day, no quibble, money back guarantee - click here for more information.

Auction sites such as eBay:

Unfortunately, many spas for sale on auction sites are imported direct from unbranded Chinese sanitary ware factories, and many fail UK safety approval.

Despite some quality Asian-made products being sold in the UK with proper support, most are sold at auction; without installation, warranty , spares or backup, by private sellers with no real business. Such products are often worthless with little or no resale value.

Once your eBay feedback is left and your spa breaks down, there is nothing to make the seller stick to their obligations. Read our eBay buyer's guide for more info on how to spot these dodgy products from the well-made and well-supported ones.

TIP: Distance selling regulations that entitle buyers to a cooling off period and return policy DO NOT apply to auctions - so you get better rights from a website than you do at auction, or from a showroom!

Always check a seller's feedback - are they selling many hot tubs? Is this their core business? If not; will they be in business or selling spas much longer?

Prudent spa buyers should avoid:

Delivery

Try to avoid companies offering Kerb Side delivery - this means an articulated truck will arrive, while you try to unload a 200-400kg spa without damaging it. Then you will need to somehow move it to your garden, connect it, fill it, set the control system up and commission the water without any help or safety instructions.

We will:

-Deliver your spa, position it, fill it, configure it, commission it and start it heating
-Provide a full set-up service, with a chemical starter pack, and accessories
-Demonstrate the spa; water maintenance, usage and safety procedures
-Leave you to enjoy your new spa
-Provide a full warranty service and after-sales support that's just a phone call away


Warranty and after sales service

UK legislation dictates that any supplier must warrant their products for a minimum period of 12 months. However if you buy a product from an individual, not a business, or the business closes down the following week, you may not have any warranty cover at all.

Look out for "Parts-Only" warranties; meaning you have to remove, return, re-fit the part and that’s after you have diagnosed the problem and located the part yourself. Make sure you scrutinise the warranty to make sure it includes on-site parts and labour.

Spa World stock a complete range of spare parts used over the last 10 years, so that even after the  warranty has expired, we can still visit you and keep your spa in perfect working order for many years to come.

Our skilled and qualified service team cover mainland England & Wales and can often be on-site the same day if you have a problem.

Spa World is manufacturer-owned, so dealing direct keeps prices low, with a high level of customer service.

Spa World, part of the Monarch Group (since 1983) is a global brand, with outlets world-wide, we are owned by the biggest spa manufacturer, and have 50 retail stores, in Australia. If you buy a spa from Spa World, you get the same peace of mind that our half million customers worldwide benefit from every day; knowing that their spa and its warranty are in safe hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will a hot tub cost to run?

A well made hot tub, running 24/7/365 in the UK climate should cost between 50p and £1 per day or (£30 per month) for electricity and around £0.30 per day (£10 per month) for chemicals. Larger models, those used more often, those in colder or exposed locations will use more electricity. Hot tubs without an Ozone or UV system will use more chemicals.

BEWARE: Some unbranded Asian-made spas have no insulation at all and an open bottom. These can cost over £2 per day in electricity alone, while some companies make ridiculous claims on running costs:

One company claims that because their spas cost $X per day in the US, based on an exchange rate of Y, they cost £Z to run - This is nonsense!

The electricity price per unit in the UK is much higher than the US and the climate is much colder. Compare running an American car in the UK and look at the MPG, not to mention the price of fuel!

We fully test all the products we sell. Our spas can cost from as little as 50p per day to operate making them some of the most energy efficient currently on sale in the UK.

We are currently testing our new 2008 range of products, which should be even more efficient than last year's models. See our running costs compared to the competition here.

Is Maintaining Spa Water Complex?

New methods, technologies, and treatments are making testing and maintaining hot tub water easier every day.

Most of our customers are confident and competent after we have demonstrated what to do. However any customers that struggle just call us for over-the-phone advice. It's all part of the Spa World service.

Do ALL hot tubs Need Chemicals?

Currently there is not a hot tub in the world that does not need chemicals. The use of ozone or UV will reduce the amount of chemicals you use, however YOU MUST ALWAYS TEST AND BALANCE THE WATER before anyone uses the hot tub, swim spa or any other outdoor pool.

Chlorine and Bromine are still the products of choice for the industry, despite many new types of chemical coming on to the market. Some have made often dubious claims of low maintenance and no more water testing.

The only government approved system is to either use Chlorine or Bromine, tested regularly.

We have heard good reports about a product called "Pristine Blue" which doesn't contain any bromine or chlorine, but DOES come with test strips, pH and TA adjusters so if you really can't use bromine or chlorine, this could be the next best thing - we will update this space once we have researched and tested the product further.

Can a hot tub be dangerous?

The simple answer is: Yes, however; so can most things if they are not installed, maintained, operated or supervised correctly.

A spa needn’t pose a risk to anyone if they are designed and manufactured by a reputable brand, correctly installed and wired, and full of water that is safely balanced.

Provided that you stick to the above guidance, and check with your doctor first if you have children, are over 50, or have any medical condition, then there is nothing but an oasis of relaxation to be concerned about.

You can download our chemical trouble-shooter and maintenance guide from this website, or just call us if you have a problem or question. We promise not to sell you anything unless you want us to!