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Do you have an affinity for water? Perhaps you love swimming pools, deep bathtubs, and the feeling of bubbling jets on your skin.
If so, you may be thinking about purchasing your very first hot tub. Acquiring a hot tub can be a big decision, but it shouldn’t be a painful one.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the cost, maintenance, and health benefits of hot tubs.
Where Can I Purchase a Hot Tub?
It’s possible to purchase a hot tub from a local retailer such as Home Depot, Wal-Mart, or a local backyard and garden supply store.
These stores might carry everything from inflatable hot tubs to seven-person-capacity permanent installations complete with numerous built-in jets and other special features.
Online retailers like Wayfair and Amazon carry many different types of hot tubs as well. With any hot tub, it’s best to read online reviews and talk to friends who have made similar purchases before deciding on one of your own.
What is the Best Hot Tub for the Money?
If you want the equivalent of an outdoor soaking tub, an inflatable hot tub would be your best bet.
These can run from $400-$900 depending on the overall look and feel of the hot tub as well as its brand name.
You will need the help of an electrician to install it, but it has several special features like a built-in waterfall, LED lighting, and an included cover.
Where Can I Purchase a Hot Tub?
It’s possible to purchase a hot tub from a local retailer such as Home Depot, Wal-Mart, or a local backyard and garden supply store.
These stores might carry everything from inflatable hot tubs to seven-person-capacity permanent installations complete with numerous built-in jets and other special features.
Online retailers like Wayfair and Amazon carry many different types of hot tubs as well. With any hot tub, it’s best to read online reviews and talk to friends who have made similar purchases before deciding on one of your own.
What Is the Best Month To Buy a Hot Tub?
You probably won’t enjoy a soak in an outdoor hot tub in the middle of the winter in Montana.
But there are indoor hot tubs complete with all the bells and whistles of their outdoor counterparts if you’d prefer to move your spa experience to your bathroom.
Most people buy hot tubs in the spring and summer, so if you’re looking for a great deal, start searching for your hot tub around Labor Day.
Most retailers will be trying to get rid of extra inventory by marking it down in preparation for the colder months.
Is Buying a Hot Tub Worth It?
If you’re someone who likes lounging in a hot tub with friends, but you don’t have time for social gatherings these days, you might want to delay your purchase.
However, if you are considering a hot tub purchase with the hopes that it will help alleviate the chronic pain of a medical condition then looking for a hot tub within your budget is a great idea.
Additionally if you enjoy romantic evenings with your partner or if you just love a good soak at the end of the day then yes buying a hot tub is worth it!
Do Hot Tubs Add Value to a House?
As with any other home fixtures, if it’s nice, it will probably add value.
If it’s an inflatable or portable hot tub, the next owners might not want it, but this could be good news for you: you can just take it with you to your new home.
If you have spent a lot of money on a six-person, jetted hot tub with a waterfall or Bluetooth capabilities, make sure to mention this upgrade to your listing realtor as several homebuyers will see this as a perk.
How Much Does a Hot Tub Increase Your Electric Bill?
Keep in mind that you might only be using your hot tub during certain months of the year.
If you just use it in the summer months, you could spend about $30-$50 to keep it running.
This blogger found that his electric bill increased about $100 a month when he ran it in the winter.
Remember that this expense depends on type of hot tub and during which months you run it.
If having a hot tub is a dream of yours, consider whether you will run it year-round or just during a certain season, and also whether you can shuffle your budget around to make it work.
How Expensive is it To Maintain A Hot Tub?
To keep your hot tub pristine, it will need to be monitored for chemicals in the same way you regulate a pool’s chlorine and pH level.
You will probably need to have an extra electrical outlet installed if you do not have one outdoors, and you will need to replace the hot tub’s filters regularly to keep it clean.
Your electricity bill will be slightly higher as well.
Can You Negotiate Hot Tub Prices?
This depends on where you purchase your hot tub.
Online retailers will ask you to pay full price.
If you buy a used hot tub, or if a hot tub comes as a package deal with a new house you are considering purchasing, there is room for negotiation.
Is it Ok to Buy a Used Hot Tub?
You certainly can, but there are a few drawbacks to buying used if you do not do your research ahead of time.
For example, do you know who owned the hot tub and how often they used it?
If they didn’t take care of it, there’s a chance it will require more maintenance than a new model, which will offset the lower cost of a used model.
Do You Run a Hot Tub All the Time?
In general, yes. If you turn it off and on again frequently, the costs of raising the temperature every time you do so will raise your electrical bills.
Remember, it takes a lot of energy to heat your hot tub. You will want to run it all the time unless you plan on turning it off all winter long.
If this is your plan, or if you only use a hot tub in your vacation home or cabin and will not be using it for a month or two, then you can safely turn it off and return to it in the spring.
Can You Move a Hot Tub by Yourself?
Probably not! Even if you’re physically capable of moving heavy objects by yourself, you’re at risk for back and neck injury if you don’t lift properly.
You’ll want to enlist four to six friends to help you move such a heavy piece of equipment.
The exception to this rule might be an inflatable hot tub: because these hot tubs are filled with air, when they are empty, you should be able to lift one by yourself or with another person.
If you’d like to move an existing hot tub to a new location, consider hiring a moving company to help you.
They’ll likely charge you by the hour, but it will be worth it because you won’t injure yourself.
What Is the Point of a Hot Tub?
This differs for every hot tub buyer.
Someone might buy a hot tub because it looks good on their deck, another person might buy one because they enjoy floating in hot water, and still another person might find owning a hot tub to be a great way to socialize with friends.
Regardless of your reason for wanting a hot tub, there is a quality specimen that will fit your needs and your budget!
Is It OK to Go in a Hot Tub Every Day?
It’s ok as long as you don’t soak for too long.
Children should probably only go in for a few minutes at a time, and those with medical conditions should consult their doctors before purchasing a hot tub with the intention of soaking every day.
Pregnant women should mostly avoid hot tubs unless their medical team has told them differently, due to the fact that the hot water can raise your body temperature to a level that can be dangerous for the developing baby.
For everybody, a good rule of thumb to remember is that if you feel faint, dizzy, or lightheaded, you need to get out and cool down immediately.
How Long Should You Go in a Hot Tub For?
The recommended time is around 15-30 minutes.
Though hot tubs can soothe sore muscles, relax your body, and provide you with an overall sense of wellbeing, sitting in a hot tub for an extended period of time can raise your core body temperature.
Moreover, dehydration can occur (yes, even though you’re sitting in water), and cause you to become dizzy.
You will need to drink plenty of fluids and keep hydrating while soaking in a hot tub.
Can a Hot Tub Help You Lose Weight?
Yes, it can — but compared to exercise, the benefits are minimal.
Sitting in a hot tub for 15 minutes a day for a week can help you burn off about a pound of fat.
If the practice is something that motivates you to maintain your healthy diet and exercise plan, then keep it up!
If you’re relying on a hot tub alone to melt off dozens of pounds, though, it’s probably best not to get your hopes up.
Now that you’re more knowledgeable about the wonderful world of hot tubs, you’re well on your way to making an educated purchase.
