Are Hot Tubs More Trouble Than They’re Worth?

You get home from work and crank up the heat. In just about 15 minutes, you can grab a cold one from the fridge and slip into the soaking, bubbly depths of hot water. As the jets gives you a hot water massage, you just wonder why you never got a hot tub before…
Then, you remember that you don’t have one yet, and that’s just your imagination. At least, that’s what I imagine when I’m thinking about when I picture owning my own hot tub. I’m not thinking about maintenance, bills, or anything else, I’m just picturing how much better a glass of red wine would taste if I were sipping it from a hot tub after a hard days’ work!
Are Hot Tubs Worth It?
If that above picture sounds fantastic to you, you might just jump into thinking it’s a great idea without really considering the amount of commitment a hot tub takes. The reality is that there are a lot of other things you have to consider besides how much you’ll love using it.
Hot tubs need a good place to sit, first of all. Outside is generally better, and easier to maintain, then inside. You may need to build a concrete pad for it to sit on, and possibly a fence around it. Then, you have to get a tub that fits onto the space perfectly, and you’ll have to hook it up to power somehow. The initial installation can be a bit excessive, but remember those are only one-time fees.
Once you look at the installation, you also need to think about accessories. Do you need a lot of jets, or a cover? The cover is almost always a yes, since it keeps heat in and yucky stuff out. Ever seen a pool covered in dead bugs and pine needles? A cover keeps all that nastiness from floating below up in your hot tub. Because who can relax with dead beetles swirling around them??
Maintenance is the longest expense you’ll be looking at. Factor in the cost of keeping the water hot and buying chemicals to clean the water. Even if you hate most pool chemicals, you can get out of them for a hot tub, since the heat actually helps bacteria thrive (but only if you DON’T maintain your chemicals right!). Pool chemicals consist of either bromine or chlorine, usually, and the levels will vary based on your chosen tub type and size. Same with power and water costs.
It’s not all bad news with a hot tub! Yes, it has its costs, but there’s good stuff to look at on both sides. Let’s just take a peek at the good and bad, so you can make up your own mind if it’s worth it for you.
Benefits
- Fantastic relaxation tool
- Great for arthritis
- Soothe aching muscles and back pain
- Enjoy time outside in the water year-round
- Entertain family and guests
- Only a small space needed
Downers
- Potentially high initial installation costs
- Weekly maintenance needed (about 10–15 minutes)
- Increased water and electric bills every month
- Replacement accessories needed occasionally
How to Maintain a Hot Tub Right
How much time and money you’re going to spend keeping your hot tub going really depends on your individual choices. The larger the tub, the more time you’ll spend cleaning it every weekly. Most tubs also need new water every 3–4 months. More people using the tub means you’ll need new water every 3 months, while fewer people means 4 months might be okay.
It’s a must that you check the chemical levels and pH once per week, even if you haven’t used the tub at all that week. Maintaining the right balance of chemicals keeps bacteria from living in the hot tub, which is an unfortunately welcoming place if the chemicals aren’t balanced well.
Testing pH and chemical levels is easy. All you’ll need is a few simple water testing kits on hand. These are very cheap and can be bought in bulk. If the chemical levels are too low, add more. If too high, drain some water and fill it up again. If the pH is off, adjust it using the method your hot tub manufacturer recommends. Adding chemicals will adjust the pH, so test after you add chemicals.
When it’s time to refresh the water, you can take the time to scrub the hot tub out as well. Before you drain the water, take a long-handled scrub brush and some cleaner. Scrub the entire inside to clean it up, then drain the water. Rinse it out nicely with a hose while the drain is still open. You’ll want to get all the cleaner out. Then, fill it back up and re-apply your chemical treatments. You’re done!
Choosing the Right Hot Tub
If maintenance and cost depend on the size and type of hot tub you get, how can you choose something that’s not going to make things too hard on you?
- Check Out a Guide About the Best Hot Tubs at PoolAdvisors.net. Seriously, it might sound silly, but this one of the best ways to actually get all the facts you want.
- Consider How You Want to Use It. Do you want it for you and your significant other, for entertaining a few friends, or for solo dips? This will help you know how big of a hot tub you’ll want.
- Choose Your Chemical Types. Chlorine is common for most people, bur bromine is another choice with just as good of results and less of the chemical smell and feel that people hate about chlorine.
Voila! You’re on your way to sipping something sweet while you’re soaking in the most fantastic hot water hot tub in the comfort of your home! Or, if you’ve decided it’s not worth the effort, you can substitute a foot spa and your favorite movie.
