One very important part of a hot tub is the pump. That is what sets it apart and makes it what it is, a hot tub capable of offering relaxing hydrotherapy massages. But then, at the heart of the pump is the hot tub motor. This is what supplies the necessary force needed by the pump to run the jets and circulate water through the entire hot tub or the wet end component of the pump.
So, without a functional hot tub motor, you do not have a functional hot tub. It can be said to be the engine of the hot tub, controlling how much power is generated to control the speed at which water moves through the jets. Or you can see it as the strong yet tender muscle behind the massages you enjoy while soaking in your hot tub.
All the same, the hot tub motor is a very important component that affects the quality and type of experience you get from using your spa. So, when next you are choosing a hot tub, consider looking out for the motor horsepower, its speed, and voltage.
Now, over time, just like every other component that is being used from time to time, a hot tub motor can become faulty. Hence the need for repairs or a replacement if it cannot be repaired. And if you are planning to replace a bad hot tub motor, it means getting a new one. The option of repair or replace is something that has to be carefully weighed out, putting into consideration several factors which ultimately boil down to the monetary cost of doing either of the two. The cost of replacing a hot tub pump and motor ranges from $200 to $1,200.
How exact the cost depends on the type of pump installed in your hot tub – the circulation pump type with a single-speed motor or the ones that have two speeds. The single-speed type will cost between $200 to $500 to purchase a new one. While the cost of replacing a hot tub pump with dual speed is between $750 to $1,200.
Repairs on the other hand are almost similar in terms of cost. A budget of about $200 to $500 should be sufficient to handle repairs on your hot tub pump if you think it is worthy of repairs.
What you need to know about hot tub pumps or motors
That outer strong and powerful look and feel you might observe about a hot tub, well, it might not be exactly that quality of experience you are hoping to get. Pay attention to and observe the pump or the motor installed in it. That is how best you know the quality and power of the experience you will get.
You might see hot tubs and find them very attractive because they come with dozens of jets beautifully arranged and put in place by nice rings. That is something nice of course, and comfortable too. But it is no guarantee that it can offer you an amazing massage. It all lies in the pump and the motor. That is the unit that supplies the force for your massage.
Is it worth repairing a hot tub?
Most hot tubs are generally hard-wearing and long-lasting. However, there may come a time when you are faced with a big repair bill. Depending on the size of the bill and the age of the hot tub, you will have to ask yourself whether it is worth fixing your hot tub or not.
Is having a repair done good value for money or are you just throwing good money after bad? If you are having a bit of a dilemma as to whether your hot tub is worth fixing or not, then this post is for you and hopefully, it will help you make the right decision.
Whether or not a hot tub is worth repairing is a decision that is dependent on the expenses the faulty hot tub is likely to create at present and over time as it is used, and how much a new fully functional hot tub would cost and the cost of repairing the old one. A faulty or bad hot tub not worth fixing when the cost of repairing is going to be more than the value of the hot tub itself or is very much almost the price of a new hot tub of almost similar size.
If after repairs, a hot tub is likely to develop other faults, maybe because it is old and worn out or issues arising from other smaller faults aside from the one that is been considered at the moment, then such a hot tub is not worth fixing as you are likely to have to spend a lot more money on it soon when the faults manifest.
But then, on a long-time basis, if one wants to go deep in weighing out the facts to make a well-informed decision, there are some things to be considered before considering if a faulty hot tub is worth fixing or not. They include the age of the hot tub – how old it is in comparison to the lifespan, the kind of technology used in the hot tub, and how much of a repair is to be done.
- How old or how much of the lifespan has been used up? The life span of hot tubs, in general, falls between the range of 5 to 20 years. Depending on whether the hot tub is a cheap one made of cheap and not very reliable materials, it can have a minimum lifespan of 5 years, that is a lifespan of between 5 to 15 years. Whereas, an expensive hot tub whose high price is likely because it is made of expensive durable materials, is likely to have a lifespan of between 10 to 20 years.
Generally, hot tubs have a lifespan of between 5 and 20 years or so. Less expensive hot tubs will last less time as they are made from cheaper materials and components and more high-end hot tubs will last longer due to the quality of their manufacture and assembly. So, if your hot tub is near the beginning of its life then it may well make sense to invest in repairing it and you could reasonably expect it to last many years without any more large bills, hopefully. So, knowing how old or how long you have used your hot tub will give you an idea of how much longer you can expect your hot tub to keep functioning properly with little or no breakdown after the repair is finished.
If your hot tub has topped or passed its expected lifespan, then you are likely using your hot tub on borrowed time and the idea of repairing it when it breaks down is not a good one. instead, it should be replaced. But if your hot tub is still fairly new and well within the expected lifespan, repairing it is a good decision as you should have at least another reasonable number of years out of it.
- What kind of technology is your hot tub using? You might be wondering what has this got to do with the repair decision. Well, think of it as how energy efficient your hot tub is. Yes, does your current hot tub save energy, or is it the main reason for your enormous electric bill? Will it gather up more expenses over time than a new hot tub? As time goes by, year after year, discoveries are made and applied and technology advances more and more into more efficient forms.
As a hot tub is used, it ages over time, meaning most of the parts will not be functioning as they did when it was brand new. With more efficient ways of conserving energy coming up over the years, an old hot tub becomes increasingly inefficient or better put, performs below expectation when compared with new brands and models. Just consider how much you would be saving by getting a new, more energy-efficient hot tub model.
- How large or small is the repair?: If you have just a tiny repair to do on your hot tub, it would make perfect sense not to think of buying a new one at all because it will cost you very little to keep it up and running again. Knowing how large the needed repairs on your hot tub is will give you the basic idea of which will cost more, repairing or replacing the hot tub. If all you have to do is change a faulty jet in a hot tub, whether it is a new one or a hot tub that has exhausted most of its expected lifespan, it makes perfect sense to do such repair. But if the cost of repairs is almost or more than the worth of the hot tub, then it is not worth fixing at all; replace it.
How long do hot tub motors last?
When it comes to hot tub pumps, just like the hot tub itself, they naturally last from between 5 to 10 years. Whether or not they reach or exceed the expected lifespan depends on the maintenance level. Good maintenance that goes into the hot tub and pump has a lot to do with the longevity of the pump.
How can I expand the life of my hot tub pump?
As the heart of a hot tub, a dead pump means a dead tub. Knowing water is what the pump works on, maintaining a healthy and clean hot tub water is the best way to take care of the pump and ensure it lasts for a long time. Unbalanced water can be corrosive and cause the pump to gradually wear out. It can also cause scales to build up, blocking some pathways in the hot tub plumbing system and thus, affecting the performance of the pump.
Another way to expand the life of your spa is to keep the filter in good working condition. Keep a clean filter always to ensure it does its work of removing debris well. A dirty filter will not function properly and debris will eventually pile up in it, obstructing flow.
Debris can even block the impeller of the pump from turning, and since that is the part responsible for pushing the water in the desired direction, there will be no flow. So, it is very important to clean your hot tub filter regularly and check for any debris that builds up in the hot tub.
Lastly, install your hot tub pump at a location where there is less dirt and water. At such locations, dirt and debris can get sucked in, blocking the flow within the pump. Imagine the motor running constantly and nothing is flowing anymore. It will overheat and burn out leaving you with a bad pump. So, you will want to install it in a dirt-free location where it can run without water entering the parts of the pump unit that is supposed to dry.
How do I know if my hot tub pump is bad?
If you have issues with water flow in your hot tub, it might not necessarily mean it is caused by a bad pump. It can be caused by a dirty and clogged filter. So troubleshoot first by removing or cleaning the filter to see if flow improves.
A bad or faulty pump will have the following signs:
- Foamy water in the hot tub may be due to the pump not working correctly.
- Noise from the pump with no water flowing. This could be humming, whining, or grinding noise as this can be the noise of worn-out bearings that need replacing.
- There is no water coming out of the jets.
- Water leaking from the pump shaft.
- Water will not be hot, since the water is not flowing to circulate heat from the water heater.
