HOT TUBS

MYTHS & MORE

A Hot Tub is viewed by many as an unnecessary addition to ones patio, terrace or garden. What’s the point? It’s not for us! What a waste of money. The novelty will soon wear off

Well, writing as a convert, let me dismiss a few of the myths surrounding Hot Tubs.

They really are a piece of affordable decadence! If you rate value for money by the enjoyment you get from an investment then a Hot Tub has to be a serious consideration. Prices start at around €5,700 for a basic model and can rise to as much as €12,000 for an ‘all bells and whistles version’.

NEWS FLASH: JULY 2009 PRICES SLASHED BY 20%.......NOW FROM €5,700 inc IVA

What else can you buy that is always available, 24/7, 365 days of the year, that gives so much sheer pleasure?

Firstly, for those who don’t know, let me describe what we are talking about. A Hot Tub, Spa or Jacuzzi is a way of relaxing in a hot bath made from moulded fiberglass, with seats and head rests, and usually sited outside of the house on a terrace or patio. There are also water jets that massage various parts of the body. Sizes range from 2 to 7 or 8 seats and the whole thing is housed in an insulated wooden cabinet and fitted with an insulated cover that is easily removed.

Hot Tubs are enjoyed in many other parts of the world, particularly Australasia and the USA and, perhaps perversely, Scandinavian countries!

Unlike a bath, Hot Tubs are kept hot all of the time, except when the owners are away from the house for a week or more, and most users keep their water at a constant 37/38 degrees centigrade in the winter and a little cooler in the summer months. Unlike a bath therefore, there is no need to plan ahead or to waste time filling it up or turning on a heater. Just take off the cover and immerse yourself in a beautifully warm spa bath.

Hot Tubs work on the basis of re-circulating water so there is no need to plumb them into the water system and the clever ones need only an external 13amp socket, with an isolator for safety. Just like a pool, they need treating with chlorine or other similar product from time to time depending on usage. And, again, depending on usage, the water will need changing perhaps every few months. This entails simply draining the water using the built in drain hose and refilling with water from a hose-pipe.

Much of the advertising surrounding Hot Tubs emphasis's the health benefits.These there certainly are. Hot water dilates blood vessels increasing the oxygen flow to organs, muscles and joints so, many users find that aches and pains are eased and relaxation is rapidly achieved. It is felt by many, including the medical profession, that using a Hot Tub helps with problems such as Arthritis, Bursitis, Rheumatism, Fibromyalgia, soft tissue injuries and many other health problems.

But, in my opinion the feeling of absolute and instant relaxation is worthwhile even when the user is in excellent health.

As usual there are a few words of caution when considering what Hot Tub to purchase.

As with most products these days, there are Hot Tubs on the market made of inferior materials and using ‘cheap’ manufacturing techniques and it’s virtually impossible to recognize these without getting inside the wooden cabinet! Not many purchasers are inclined to do this!

The thickness of the insulation is clearly critical to the running costs as the more heat that’s lost the more electricity you need to maintain temperature. Some Hot Tubs look extremely ‘flash’. With TV screens, surround sound speakers, CD player and as many as maybe 60 or 70 water jets, not only is there much more to go wrong, but with that many jets you will need 3 or 4 pumps and the electricity consumption could be as high as 50 Amps! Apart from the daily running costs which will be considerable, many homes in this part of the world will not be able to support this large a drain on the power system.

So buy with care from reputable retailers, ask as many questions about build quality as you can but remember to take the answers with a pinch of salt, ask about running costs and if possible do your own calculations…..Watts /Volts = Amps! This is a very unusual product where simplicity of construction and clever design provides the highly important benefits of Reliability and day-to-day Economy and all for a cheaper capital outlay!