Summer is here, and you might be wondering if it is a good idea to still use your hot tub due to the warmer temperatures. Well, if you don’t have a pool and wish to use your spa, it’s not a bad idea. However, you need to know that there will be some slight changes in how you use the tub.
The hot tub temperature in the winter shouldn’t be the same as in the summer. Generally, the hot tub temperature ranges between 98 and 102 degrees. In the summer, the temperature of your spa should be lower. Some go as low as 82 degrees, depending on the summer temperature. However, we recommend a temperature range of 84-86 degrees.
There is a lot to learn about this particular topic. If you want to know more on how to use your hot tub efficiently during the summer, this article is for you.
Can you keep your hot tub cool in the summer?
Summer time comes with an accompanying heat. The sun lasts longer; the nights are shorter; and temperatures are usually higher. It is also a time for beach and poolside fun.
If you have a hot tub, you will discover that you don’t need to use it to its maximum. The temperature outside is usually warm enough. And the answer to the above question is yes, you can!
There are some ways spa owners can keep their hot tubs cool in the summer. I know this might sound like an oxymoron: a hot tub becoming cool? Yes, that’s possible. Let’s dive right in.
- Filling it with cool water: Filling your hot tub with cool water is a perfect way to keep it cool. Water temperatures just below 98.6 °F (37 °C) will keep your body cool, even if only by a few degrees. Simply letting cool water into the hot tub is a very simple way of cooling your tub.
- Setting the temperature: If your hot tub is the one that allows you to modify the temperature settings, then use this feature.
- Some hot tubs have a sleep mode configuration. In this mode, the hot tub will only heat the tub 20°F above the set temperature. This it can only do during filter cycles. To use this feature effectively, set your tub to the lowest possible temperature and then put it in sleep mode. This will allow your spa to still run its normal filter cycles and, at the same time, keep the water cool.
- Some other tubs come with an inbuilt “Summer Mode”. This mode causes your 24-hour circulation pump to be cut off for 8 hours. This enables your tub to cool down significantly. It can take it down to a comfortable temperature in the 80’s.
- Turn off the heater: This is a simple trick that works well. It is possible to turn off your hearing element without interrupting the tub’s filter cycles and water circulation. As water readily circulates, it loses heat faster while creating a cooling effect.
At what temperature should you keep a hot tub in the summer?
In ideal situations, most hot tub owners keep their tub temperatures between 99°F and 102°F. But during the summertime, it is recommended to go for lower temperatures than that. You can set your hot tub to 85°F and you are good to go.
Can I use my hot tub as a pool in the summer?
Depending on where you are based, summer can mean various things. For some, it is a welcome relief from the freezing cold of winter. To some others, not so much. If you live in the northern states, where it is really cold for most parts of the year, you might find hot tubs more of a necessity than an option. Because of the high temperatures, using your hot tubs as pools in the summer may end up being more of a torture for those in southern states where it is warmer all year.
Regardless of where you are, you can still enjoy a hot tub as a pool at any time of the year. 1. Far less upkeep: Hot tubs require far less upkeep than traditional pools. I will give some reasons why you can still go for it.
- Far less upkeep: Hot tubs require far less upkeep than traditional swimming pools. Due to scale and size, hot tubs are far easier to maintain. A tub with a capacity of no more than 1000 gallons is easier to maintain than a pool with a capacity of 20,000 gallons or more. Overall, you will find it easier to maintain the ecosystem in a hot tub. Algal blooms and bacteria infestations can be managed much more easily since they are also on a smaller scale.
- It is cheaper and less expensive: Due to its smaller size, you won’t be spending as much. You will spend less on chemicals such as shock, pH adjusters, etc. The costs you will incur in refilling the pool, heating it, and so on are way lower. Having a hot tub gives you all the recreational benefits of having a standard pool but at a lower cost.
- Takes up less space: For someone who probably doesn’t have all the acreage on their property, hot tubs are a way to go. They don’t take up much space. They will fit nicely in your backyard without squeezing space for other fixtures.
- They are easier to set up: Hot tubs and spas are easier to set up than pools because they require less work. It is as simple as ordering it and getting it delivered to your doorstep. And it is ready to be used. Most of the time, from delivery to filling, the tub can take just 4-6 hours. Your tub is ready to go.
What is the lowest temperature a hot tub can go?
The majority of hot tubs can reach temperatures as low as 26 °C (78.8 °F). It’s amazing some people are unaware of this. Lowering temperatures is effectively turning your heater off.
Can you go in a hot tub at 30 degrees?
As earlier stated, most hot tubs have a temperature range of 26°C to 40°C. Anything above 40° can have side effects. But on the flip side, 30°C is quite cool. You can go in at this temperature when the heat is really high and you really need to cool off. A temperature of 30 °C is just slightly above what you would expect in a conventional swimming pool. So there shouldn’t be any problems with that.
How do you keep a hot tub from getting hot in the summer?
Follow these steps to keep your tub cool, even during the summer.
- Drop the temperature: The first step is to turn down the temperature of your spa or hot tub to the lowest setting. Most of the time, when you do this, you are effectively turning the heater off.
- Prop the cover open: When the cover is closed, it acts as a trap to keep the heat inside. Leaving the cover propped open allows the heat to escape. Hence, the temperature rapidly reduces.
- Run the jets: Running the jets helps to bring warmer water to the surface and takes cooler water down below. Circulating water always helps to reduce its temperature.
- Throw in bags of ice: Some people believe that ice can harm your hot tub. This is simply not true. Ice is a quick way to reduce the temperature of your tub.
- Clean your filters regularly: Clean filters ensure proper circulation. This means your water can flow at the right pressure and at the right speed. Like mentioned above, proper circulation ensures lower temperatures.
Do hot tubs overheat in the summer?
Yes, they can.
Hot tubs can overheat for a variety of reasons.
- If the temperatures are set to high: When the tub’s default temperature is set to temperatures above 98°F in the summertime, it can cause it to overheat.
- The filter cycle duration: This refers to the number of times that the water runs through a filter. If the filter cycle duration is high, it means that the pump is running for longer. When the pump is running, it generates heat. When it runs for longer, this heat can be transferred into the water and thus cause the water temperature to rise considerably. Eventually, this causes overheating.
Should I leave my hot tub heater on all the time?
The answer to this is yes.
The hot tub was designed to heat water, and so it should be. You will find it more economical and less time-consuming if the water is readily warm than if you have to heat it from scratch every time you intend to use the pool. All you have to do is set it to a regulated temperature and the thermostat will do its work, helping to keep your water at the desired temperature.
How do you cool down an overheated hot tub?
If your tub overheats, you should follow these steps, which I will list below:
- Turn down the temperature: The first and most basic step is to turn the temperature down. Reduce the temperature to around 94 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, after a few hours, watch to see if there are any changes.
- Add cool water: When hot tubs are running, it is quite difficult for them to lower their temperatures in hot weather. The best way to help them is to add cold water to the mix. Simply turn off the hot tub, and then drain some of the water. Now, you can add some fresh, cool water with a garden hose and then turn it back on.
- Turn off the filters: When your tub becomes hot, turn off the filters. This will stop the pump from overheating and causing the water temperature to rise.
Should I drain my hot tub during the summer?
It all depends on your choice. If you decide to drain your pool during the summer, just ensure that the pipes are completely dried out. You wouldn’t want mold or biofilms to form in those pipes before you open them for usage again.
