So you might have heard people using Jacuzzi and hot tub interchangeably. Now, you are stuck, wondering if they are talking about the same thing and if not, then what makes them different. What does one have that the other does not? Well, if that is your case, then here is the best place to clear your disputes.
Jacuzzi is a brand name for a plumbing company that manufactures bathtubs and hot tubs or spas and a range of other related products.
If you are reading this with a mobile phone, for instance, think of a hot tub as the mobile device, and think of Jacuzzi as the phone brand, say Samsung, Sony, etc. So, simply put, the difference between a hot tub and a Jacuzzi is that a hot tub is a spa full of water used for hydrotherapy, relaxation, or pleasure while Jacuzzi is simply a brand name of a hot tub.
Brand name saturation is a real thing. There are many cases these days where a brand becomes very popular, probably due to monopoly of its qualities for a while or being the only source of that service for sometimes, it becomes the generic name for such product. And then people get to use it to refer to the product even when what they want is from another company brand.
The above is a day-to-day phenomenon and I am quite sure you are guilty of it. The hot tub world is not immune to this long-time circumstance too. So regardless of the brand or company product, you are referring to, so long as it has to do with tubs, then the word “Jacuzzi,” drives home the same information as a hot tub and not a very special product different or separate from the hot tub or spa industry?
What is a Jacuzzi?
Jacuzzi is a federally registered trademark of Jacuzzi Inc since 1978, now known as Jacuzzi Brands LLC because of its many subsidiaries. Global manufacturers and distributors of branded baths, hot tubs, pools, and saunas.
About Jacuzzi history
Founded in 1915 by 7 Italian brothers headed by Giocondo Jacuzzi; the Jacuzzi brand started as manufacturers of wooden propellers and aircraft for the military. This was unsuccessful and saw the death of Giocondo in a plane crash.
Candido Jacuzzi in 1956 designed a pump, the J-300, capable of being submerged in a bathtub to provide hydrotherapy treatments for his son, Ken who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. This world’s first whirlpool bath gradually evolved into the world’s first jet whirlpool bath in 1968 and eventually by 1970, into a group or family-sized large indoor tubs. It got registered with a federal trademark as Jacuzzi Inc. On 5th September 1978.
Hot tub without jets
These are commonly referred to as soaking tubs. And that is exactly what they are meant for, to soak. A soaking tub is a mini or small-volume hot tub, usually capable of holding around 300 gallons or even lesser volume of water, with no jets for the sole purpose of soaking calming in still, hot water.
So in a closer view, there is not bubbly water, no massages meaning the water is just still, and there is no continuous heating as it is heated to the desired temperature before soaking. The idea of soaking tubs is to have an experience closer to nature’s own with minimal intrusion from technology. The calmness of nature in still water
Soaking tubs use less water, require minimal maintenance, and since it is easy to fill and refill because of its relatively small size, eliminates the presence of toxic chemicals associated with tubs.
Difference between jacuzzi and bathtub
Depending on the intent, there are two answers; the first clearly stating the difference between “Jacuzzi” and a bathtub and the second stating the difference between Jacuzzi as a generic name and a bathtub. If your intent is the first, then this more similar to the above question, “the difference between a hot tub and a Jacuzzi”. As earlier said, Jacuzzi is a brand name for a plumbing company that manufactures bathtubs and hot tubs or spas and a range of other related products.
If you intend to know the difference between a bathtub and a Jacuzzi as a generic name for a bathtub. Then Jacuzzi is a brand of large tubs full of water at all times and maintained at a constant temperature used for hydrotherapy, relaxation, or pleasure. While a bathtub is are smaller units that are filled for single use and for mainly soaking or body washing purposes.
Now, that is just a brief surface difference between a hot tub and a bathtub. Though they are both tubs filled with water, they are distinct from each other. Hot tubs are usually installed outdoors although they can be installed both indoors and outdoors.
They come within water heating systems, this means the water in the hot tub is heated from within the hot tub unit and not flowing from some external heated water source. Hot tubs are built to be large to be able to contain 2 – 8 people and even more depending on the model, and as such is not filled for single use just like a swimming pool, but rather the water is treated and filtered timely between each periodic refill.
They come with water pumps and jets, that make the water bubbly and pressurized to be able to provide therapeutic hydro-massages during soaks, and also with its in-built accessories like audio systems depending on the model and brand.
Bathtubs on the other hand are always installed indoors and designed for single-person use, hence smaller in size and easily refillable. Having no filtration and sanitation systems, the water is just for single use. Water is heated from an external source into the tub using a hot water tap.
How does a hot tub work?
Hot tubs are not just tubs filled with water; that would be a pool. For a hot tub to function as a hot tub, it requires some components to work together to give you what you want. What is required are:
- Jets
- Tub with a slip-resistant finish and high-density foam insulation.
- Water heating system
- Water filtration and sanitation system for water coming from the storage
- Water purifying system for water in the tub
- Superior electrical insulation to prevent electrical hazards
- Pumps for varying water pressure Cascading waterfalls and spillways
Aside from these essential components, some hot tubs do come with the following and more, depending on the brand or model for more added experience.
- Additional jets for massaging
- Touch screen controls for operating the tub and additional accessories
- Waterproof audio systems
- Wi-fi remote system
- Hydrotherapy seats for a full massage
- Foot massage system
- LED system
- Bluetooth system
- Noise-canceling or reduction system
- Cushioned headrests
- MP3 audio systems
- Flat-screen TVs
First things first, electricity. This powers the various components of the hot tub. Water is pumped and circulated in the hot tub by the pump. The heating system heats the water and maintains the desired temperature in the tub. The work of the jets is to produce the bubbly water effect for hydrotherapeutic purposes. Together, these components work and in hand to keep you relaxed.
The hot tub pressure pumps build up vacuum pressure and suck in water from the hot tub itself through filters. These are the wire and basket filters that prevent bath accessories like clothing from being sucked in by the pump. Only water is allowed through. This water is then pushed or forced through the hot tub heating system.
This is very essential in maintaining the hot tub temperature as the process is repeated continuously, supplying the needed heat to water in the hot tub. The heated water gets pumped through the hot tub jets passing through another set of filters, the top load and base mount filters on its route back to the tub. This is to further remove any particles and ensure the water in the hot tub stays clean.
The hot tub jets come in three connections: the water inlet which takes in water from the pump, the air inlet which sucks in air, and the air mixture outlet where the air and water mixture goes out, giving the bubbly water effect. This air mixture in the hot tub jet is achieved by employing venturi actions in the jets before the water comes out through the outlets.
This entire process of heating, distributing, and filtering continues repeatedly over and over again and only changes a bit when the settings on the hot tub control are altered. These settings are usually the first steps when using the hot tub. It is the control settings that turn on and off the thermostat of the heating system to be able to achieve the desired temperature. It also alters the hot tub jet outlets, manipulating the water outlet pressure to fit the users’ massaging preference.
All these occur without wastage of water. Water is highly conserved and recycled.
Jetted Tubs vs Jacuzzi
All Jacuzzi tubs have jets, so you are better off calling the jetted hot tubs.
Let us just look at the types of jetted tubs. There are two kinds: air tubs and whirlpools. Both are just two different ways of achieving the same thing, the therapeutic massage process of hot tubs. Same results, the same idea of using jets, but different techniques in the use of jets. That is to say, the difference between them lies in the way the jets operate. One focuses on water, while one focuses on air.
Air tubs, as the name suggests, are hot tubs that use jets that focus on releasing air bubbles into the tub. The therapeutic massage experience of the body is been achieved by employing hot tub jets that shooting tiny bubbles of air at the body. Warm air is been sucked in by the pump during the continuous hot tub operating circles into the jets, usually of staggered design to be able to produce many tiny bubbles.
These bubbles are released continuously at the body, constantly making contact with the skin and giving a continuous sensation of weightlessness. This is a very effective form of hydrotherapy as its soothing nature tends to relax the muscles. So in summary, air tubs:
- Works by effervescence
- Gives a sensation of weightlessness
- Uses jets of air
- Creates thousands of tiny, invigorating bubbles
Whirlpool jet, on the other hand, blasts continuous jets of water, unlike the air jets that shoot streams of air bubbles. The majority of hot tubs use this technique to achieve the hot tub massage experience. Water under high pressure is been blasted through the hot tub jets based on the user’s settings on the control to provide the desired hydro-massage.
This method has been in use from the very beginning for centuries now, helping to treat body pain and provide a very relaxing soaking experience. Whirlpools offer deep tissue massage and hydrotherapy capable of helping with the treatment of body ailments and increasing blood flow.
The intensity and direction of the water jets can be adjusted making it possible to have a more precise treatment on targeted individual sore points. Using hydrotherapy to support healing and wellness, whirlpool baths offer a convenient solution for unwinding and relaxing at home. So in summary, whirlpool tubs:
- Shoots jets of water
- Gives directed and precise powerful
- hydrotherapy massage
- Gives deep tissue massage
- Are capable of being customized in terms of intensity and flow direction.
Hot Tub Brands
So now that you know Jacuzzi is more of a brand-name-turned generic name. You should also know the names of other popular hot tub brands that you have been probably calling Jacuzzi all this while.
Jacuzzi
The very first hot tub brand and inventors, established in 1956 and having the longest business experience. They offer different models range of tubs within the price of $5995 to $18800.
Hot Spring
Established in 1977, Hot Springs offers a wide variety of hot tubs within the price range of 95-995.
Sundance Spa
Started in the year 1979, the company has hot tubs within a price range of 00 to 890 with a warranty ranging from up to 10 years.
Marquis Spas
The company appeared in 1980 and currently has models within a price range of $5150 to $8895.
