Hot Tubs – All About Home Spas

A hot tub can be either home made or pre-manufactured. However, all hot tubs have one thing in common. They hold luxurious warm water than can be used for massage, soaking, relaxation or hydrotherapy. Many hot tubs come with massage jets. They're usually located outdoors, but may be sheltered, to provide both protection from the elements and privacy for bathers. Most hot tubs fall into two basic categories: those made from wooden slats or staves, and one piece tubs made from plastic. They may also be referred to as spas. Homemade hot tubs have also been created from kids' pools, plastic and metal stock tubs, and old wine vats.

Normally, hot tubs are heated using a heater that runs either on electricity or natural gas. Some do also use a type of submersible wood-burning heater, and others have been created to use solar powered hot water systems. Some hot tubs can also be found at natural hot springs, but the water can be very hot – even dangerously so, and must be combined with cooler water for bathing.

It's important to make sure that the water in a hot tub has been sanitized. Many different types of microorganisms breed happily in a wet, warm environment. To prevent damage to the tub, it's also important to maintain the right water chemistry. Most hot tubs use a pump and particulate filter, as well as sanitizers based on chlorine, bromine, or other minerals. This may be supplemented with another type of sanitization, such as an ozone generator, silver and copper ion generator (ionizer) or UV sterilizer. If water sanitization has been poor, it may need to be "shocked" with potassiun monopersulfate or granulated chlorine. If this is done, don't use your hot tub for a while after you start the shock.

To keep the water chemistry in hot tubs within the correct range, chemicals may need to be added, or the water may need to be otherwise treated. It's important that the water in a hot tub have the right pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness. If the water is of the wrong pH, the sanitizer may not work properly. Hard water can cause calcium build up in the pipes. Other water chemistry problems can cause the pipes for your hot tub to corrode, causing leaks and pressure troubles. Deposits of calcium and magnesium can also form in the tub's water heater if water chemistry is not maintained.

Insulating your hot tub effectively will improve its energy efficiency greatly, saving you money on heating it. Depending on the type of hot tub, the best way to insulate it will vary. Some spa manufacturers fill the entire cabinet around the tub with foam, some insulate directly under the tub, and others insulate the interior of the cabinet. Few studies on the effectiveness of insulation types have been done.

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