Find Your Ideal Hot Tub: Spa Equipment, Features & Options
SPA EQUIPMENT, FEATURES and OPTIONS
With a size, shape, and material type in mind, learning more about spa equipment, features, and options will help you get the most out of a hot tub—without wasting money on sales ploys or marketing hype.
JETS AND PUMPS
All spa jets have specific GPM, PSI, and flow rate requirements. For the jet to perform properly, the spa's plumbing, pump horsepower (HP), and filter must be properly sized to match the jet's ratings.
Unfortunately, many manufacturers do not fully understand how to calculate Head Loss H L = (F) X (L/D) X (V 2 /2g). To compensate, they may over-jet a spa, use gimmicky jet packs, or install excessive HP pumps.
The ideal spa equipment includes a perfect ratio of jets to horsepower, balancing the Head Loss of the plumbing to provide optimal jet performance and energy efficiency.
SPA COVERS
Spa covers are not optional; they are essential. Heat rises, so a quality cover will conserve energy, save money on electricity, and protect the hot tub from dirt, weather, and unwanted visitors.
There are two styles of spa covers:
Covers with expanded styrene foam to reduce heat loss through conduction.
Covers with expanded styrene foam and a thermal reflector (survival blanket) to provide greater protection against heat loss.
Reputable dealers should always include the required spa cover as standard spa equipment rather than misrepresenting it as a free bonus or adding it as an extra charge.
STEREO, LIGHTING AND WATER FEATURES
Although color lighting systems, flowing water features and audio equipment are not a necessary feature of a spa, these options can enhance the soaking experience and be a great addition to a hot tub party. If you are considering adding these features, special consideration should be given to the placement so that you can actually see them in action. An example would be some spas have lights inside the actual jet so when people are siting in the spa you can’t actually see the jets.
Another issue to consider is that some spas have a negative edge or water feature which prevents the spa cover from properly sealing and lose a lot of heat and use more energy to heat the spa.
