Winter is coming and most hot tub owners have questions. They want to know the best temperatures for keeping their hot tubs during the winter.
During the winter, the lowest temperature your hot tub should reach is 80 F. This is to prevent the water freezing in the pipes due to the low temperature.
This article will do justice to every other question that relates to this issue. Have a nice read!
Can you use a hot tub in the winter?
Yes, you absolutely can. Dipping in a hot tub during the frigid weather can be soothing and relaxing for stiff and tired joints. The warmth from the water contrasts with the cold to keep your body in that sweet region of equilibrium. Indeed, using a hot tub can be one of the most enjoyable activities in the winter.
If you want to enjoy this activity, there are some tips you might want to consider. These tips, if put into practice, will ensure you get the best out of any winter season.
- Drain and refill the water early: Before winter comes, ensure you plan to drain and refill the pool. Hot tubs need their water changed every 3–4 months, and it’s best to do this before the winter fully sets in. Changing your tub’s water during the winter can be challenging as you face the risk of water freezing in the pipes or damaging the spa.
- Buy a good cover: A good cover will keep the heat inside the spa. Get one that is tight-fitting. This will create a good insulating effect so that even in frigid conditions, your hot tub will still retain its heat.
- Check the water level: Always keep an eye on the water level. If you’re not going to be using the spa all the time, this is very important. It is recommended that you don’t let your water levels get too low. If they get too low, you run the risk of the water freezing up in the pipes. This can also damage your spa.
- Keep track of your soak time: It is well known that soaking in warm water can be soothing and relaxing, if not addictive. This is especially true during a severe cold. Even at that, you should minimize your soak time to 20 to 30 minutes. By doing this, you are going to avoid putting your body under stress that can result from being exposed to warm temperatures and then cold temperatures suddenly.
- Drink plenty of water. It is also wise to stay hydrated. You can drink warm water and other beverages to battle the cold weather. They will keep you hydrated and warm. Avoid alcohol, as it can cause you to get dehydrated very quickly.
- Turn down the jets: Use the jets minimally. The jets blow air into the water. This air causes warm water to lose heat faster. You don’t want that to happen as you want to keep the water temperature up for longer.
How cold is too cold to go in a hot tub?
If you are using a hot tub, it is best to keep it within a regulated range of 78°F to 104°F. This can be adjusted depending on the external prevailing temperatures. During the summer, you can expect to set the temperature on the lower end of the spectrum. On the other hand, during winter, you can expect it to be on the upper end of the spectrum.
Any temperature below 78 °F is not really good for your tub. Contamination issues can arise, along with the fact that your tub can actually get frozen. Your tub could end up getting permanently damaged in the process too. There are reasons why this is so.
- Lower circulation: Hot tubs, unlike pools, have a lower rate of circulation. Even pools in cold weather can still face the same risks. For this reason, when water isn’t circulating fast enough in cold weather, it can get frozen in pipes.
- Expansion of Ice: When water turns into ice, unlike other liquids when frozen, it expands. This expansion might not be a problem in open containers like a pool or tub. However, in the pipes it is. The water can freeze from both ends. When this happens, the subsequent expansion can cause the pipes to crack or break.
In the winter, what temperature should the hot tub be set to?
The water temperature should be kept between 97 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. This ideal range means your water is warm whenever you intend to use it. Warming up water can take longer during cold conditions.
However, keeping the water in this range saves you time and money. You don’t have to spend as much on electricity bills every time you want to heat your water.
Will a hot tub freeze overnight?
Unless you live in the Arctic, the probability of your tub freezing overnight is next to nothing. Even so, it is only temperatures that are as low as 28 °F for 36 straight hours that will cause a well-insulated tub to begin to freeze.
In addition, you will most likely have your circulation pumps still running. This will prevent it from freezing. So, in essence, your tub won’t freeze overnight.
What temperature should a hot tub be overnight?
It goes without saying that a hot tub should always be kept running. This is how it was designed. When keeping it overnight, and knowing that not many people will use it then, set it to within a range of 97°F to 104°F. As mentioned above, keeping it in this range means you spend less time heating it up when you want to use it.
How do you keep your hot tub from freezing?
If you want to prevent your hot tub from freezing during the winter, follow these steps:
- Don’t drain your spa: If you have drained your spa, ensure you refill it before the weather gets really cold. Draining it can still leave water in the pipes, jets and filter bays. The water in there can freeze over.
- Make sure it is properly covered: Invest in a good quality cover. A proper cover should be able to seal your tub properly when not in use. Good insulation ensures that your hot tub retains heat for longer. If you notice that your cover doesn’t cover tightly, then it is time to replace it.
- Keep the water circulating: Run your jet pumps to circulate the water. When you turn on your pumps, the pumps generate heat. This heat can help warm up your water. In addition, if your tub has a “freeze protect mode,” make sure to use this feature well to warm up the water.
- Use a sump pump: A sump pump or submersible pump comes in handy when your pumps are inoperable. Place the sump pump in the middle of the tub and let it run. It has two functions. It helps the water circulate and also generates heat. This heat generated can raise the temperature of your tub.
- Use a ceramic heater: You will want to prevent your tub’s critical components from freezing over. You can make use of a ceramic heater or a 100-watt incandescent light for this purpose. Place them in your hot tub‘s equipment bay. However, be careful not to let them touch any sensitive components or plumbing.
Is it cheaper to leave the hot tub on all the time?
It is more economical to leave your tub running than to heat it from scratch every time. Heating it every time you want to use it can have an impact on your tub’s running cost. It takes longer to heat it to the desired temperatures, and this puts a strain on your heating bill.
Is it cheaper to fill a hot tub with hot water?
Yes, it is. Filling your hot tub with hot water will save you money. It is faster to do this as the time taken to reach the desired temperature is reduced. You can easily do this by connecting a hose to a hot water spigot or tap. Close the air jets while doing this, though. You will find out that you might not even need to heat it again if the water runs at an optimum temperature.
How can I heat my hot tub cheaply?
Yes, you can. You can practice the following steps: This will save you a lot more.
- Reduce the temperature: Instead of running your hot tub at 38-40 °C, turn it down a few degrees. Each degree will save you approximately 10% on your energy bill.
- Invest in a good cover: A good cover ensures that you don’t lose heat quickly. This means that your water remains at the desired temperature for longer. As a result, this saves you the cost of heating it up every time.
- Ensure there is total insulation: Ensure to fill the space between the shell and the cabinet with foam. This will prevent heat from being lost from the sides.
Can you pour boiling water into a hot tub?
Doing this comes with some risks. The boiling water can damage some delicate machinery or cause cracks in the tub walls. This is because the hot tub wasn’t designed to make water boil. As a result, most of its parts are only tolerant to temperatures way below that.
Can you get sick from being in a hot tub in the cold?
No, it doesn’t. You get sick from either bacteria or viruses infecting you. And unless they are already present in the hot tub, then you don’t have much to worry about. However, you should avoid staying too long soaking in the hot tub.
