There’s something deeply therapeutic about the idea of slipping into a hot tub, steam rising and bubbling water enveloping. In fact, it’s not just the idea that offers a certain tonic; studies have suggested that hot tubs bring real and tangible benefits to those that use them.
With pain relief, stress alleviation, muscle relaxation and improved sleep all potential positives attributed to hot tubs, we’re not here to argue with any of those findings, but rather, find an excuse to install one at home.
If you’re looking for a home hot tub for sale but don’t know where to start, then we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you narrow down your search into something more succinct. Here, we answer those FAQs about hot tubs at home…
WHAT HOT TUB SIZE IS STANDARD?
One of the first questions you should ask yourself is what size of domestic hot tub would best suit your needs. Are there only two people in your household who will be using it, or do you anticipate sharing with kids, grandkids, or maybe even party guests?
Hot tub sizes can be judged at a glance by the number of seats available, usually coming in 2, 4, 6, 8 or 12 seater versions. But if you’re sizing up your garden to make sure you can fit one, then as a rule of thumb, small hot tubs (2 or 3 person) are approximately 200 x 150 x 75 cm, medium sized hot tubs (4 to 6 person) clock in at around 225 x 225 x 100 cm, and large hot tubs (10 to 12 person) are in the 350 x 250 x 100 cm range.
HOW OFTEN WILL I USE MY HOT TUB?
Some hot tub owners only use their hot tub on special occasions, even with a large family. Perhaps as an occasional treat after a long day of work or as an evening surprise for the kids coming home from college. In this case, you might consider purchasing a hard-sided solar-powered inflatable hot tub that can easily be stored away in bad weather months and out on your deck during the warmer ones.
Read: How to transform your garden into a wellness space
If you’re planning on your hot tub being available for year round use, then a hard shell version is more appropriate. These often come with stylish wooden panels and are generally more durable and better insulated than their inflatable contemporaries, and are therefore better suited to British winters.
HOW MUCH MAINTENANCE WILL BE REQUIRED?
Another question that often comes up is how much maintenance will you be required to do on your new hot tub? Whether you choose an inflatable hot tub, a traditional fibreglass one, or even an above-ground model, there are some standard precautions that every owner should take.
One of the first things that you can do is look into purchasing a heavy-duty lockable cover for your hot tub. This alone could save hundreds of dollars in water damage each year by keeping leaves and other debris out of the hot tub while it is not in use. If you choose an inflatable or portable model, you’ll want to make sure that the ground surface where the unit sits is even and dry. If any moisture does accumulate, you will need to run a small air compressor over the area to ensure there are no leaks.
WHAT FEATURES DO I NEED?
Once you have answered these basic questions about your family’s needs for their hot tub experience, the next step is to consider the additional features you might like to include. These might consist of options like jet type (massage jets/rotary jets), lighting systems, waterfalls, colour-changing LED lights, or saltwater filtration systems. In recent years, many hot tubs have started to come with a bluetooth speaker system attached, which can be ideal for parties.
It should be noted that hard shelled hot tubs are much more equipped to operate these advanced features.
HOW MUCH CAN I EXPECT TO SPEND ON A HOT TUB?
Another question that consumers might ask is how much they should be spending on a hot tub. Once you know what type of tub suits your needs best, how often it will be used, and if any additional features are required, then the next step would be to determine what kind of budget you have for your new hot tub or spa experience.
Inflatable hot tubs start at around £300 for a small model, and can hit upwards of £1000 for a medium sized version with some advanced features. Expect to may £1500 for a larger model.
A traditional fibreglass, hard shelled hot tub can range from £1000 for a four-person to upwards of £6000 for larger models that offer multiple seating areas or overhead waterfalls. If you are looking for additional bells and whistles, expect to pay more; but always ask about special sales or discounts available directly through the manufacturers themselves.
It should also be noted that on top of that upfront cost, hot tubs cost around £600 a year to run. Factor that into your budget accordingly.
Hey, perhaps you might find sufficient water based relaxation in the bath, after all? Check out these tips on creating the ultimate relaxing bath time experience for more on that.