Your Burning Top Hot Tub Questions Answered

With the lockdown still in effect throughout Canada, many of us are thinking about how to make our homes more comfortable, including our outdoor spaces. In fact, online searches for “cheap hot tubs” have increased by 250 per cent in the last month alone! And with the increased interest comes an increase in questions. Experts at OnBuy.com have set out to answer the most-asked hot tub questions according to AlsoAsked.com, to help keep hot tubs clean and running efficiently this summer. —Vita Daily

How often should I change my hot tub water?

There are many misconceptions about how often water in a hot tub should be changed. Some recommend doing it every 3-4 months due to the added chlorine not always dissolving completely. However, others have argued that you should only clean it when it looks dirty. Clean water is clear water, therefore if it does not look dirty, you should not need to change it.

How do you clean a hot tub without draining it?

Experts state short-term ways of cleaning a hot tub without draining it, but unfortunately, this only delays the issue of dirty water and eventually, you will have to drain it. OnBuy.com says that the most important thing is regularly checking the pH levels of your hot tub daily. Ideally, your hot tub should be between 7.2 and 7.8 on the pH scale. If the PH levels are not balanced, adding the correct chemicals and leaving for a few hours is the best way of ensuring it is safe and clean without draining. However, adding more and more chemicals should only be a short-term solution, as this will amount to a bigger clean being required later. Ultimately, when the water looks like it needs emptying then you should do so.

Are saltwater hot tubs better?

OnBuy.com found there are 17,900 monthly global searches for salt water hot tubs. Known for being easier to maintain, the high popularity of salt water hot tubs can perhaps be attributed to the relaxing experience they provide and the fact that they require less frequent use of chemicals such as chlorine. However, salt water hot tubs do come with drawbacks. They are not suitable to those with sensitive skin due to the harshness of the salts, and when draining them the salts can also cause harm to the environment. OnBuy.com recommends those that are interested in buying a salt water hot tub to read all the benefits and drawbacks before purchasing.

What temperature should you keep your hot tub at?

OnBuy.com suggest that the safest hot tub temperature should be at 40 C. Anything above 40 C can be potentially harmful as it can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Obviously, this all comes down to personal preference and each individual should think about any underlying health conditions before choosing a temperature.

How long should I stay in the hot tub for?

Again, this all comes down to personal preference of temperature and any underlying health conditions. However, ideally, you should stay in the hot tub between 15 and 30 minutes, no longer if the temperature is 40 degrees or over. You can always come back to relax again later, but it is good to give your body a bit of a break.

​Should I leave my hot tub filter on all the time?

Most hot tub companies recommend leaving your filter on for a minimum of eight hours per day, with some requiring 12-24 hours per day. Keeping it on also makes the pump more efficient. As a general rule of thumb, keep it on for a minimum of eight hours but more if you can.

Does a hot tub need to be plugged in all the time?

Yes. Although this might lead to concerns about electric bills, it costs less to keep it on all the time than it does to turn it off and reheat.