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FAQ
We hope you find these Questions & Answers helpful in your spa selection & operation.
Why should I buy a hot tub?
There are many benefits to a spa from Premiere Hot Tubs. Some of our clients buy a hot tub for just one, but most find their spa is very relaxing, helps them enjoy restful sleep, is a comfortable place to reconnect with their spouse and/or kids, is great for relieving stress, and offers wonderful therapy for sore & aching muscles.
Hot Tubs are beneficial for those suffering from a # of chronic conditions including arthritis and diabetes, and may be prescribed for treatment. We also have a # of clients whose doctors have prescribed our Salt System spas for treatment of various skin conditions, including psoriasis.
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What is hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is essentially the use of water for pain relief and treatment of illnesses. Hot Tubs or Spas are particularly well suited for hydrotherapy due to both the warm / hot water and massage from jets. It's important to note that though all hot tubs will deliver hot water, jet design and placement in order to promote maximum pain relief and wellness is also very important. There are plenty of cheap spas that market inflated HP ratings and high jet counts but are poorly designed to provide the benefits you desire for massage. Both of the brands we carry at Premiere Hot Tubs (Bullfrog Spas and Clearwater Spas) are well suited to provide great massage. In fact, due to their unique & patented Jet Paks®, Bullfrog Spas offers a greater variety of massage options than any other hot tub manufacturer.
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What is a portable hot tub?
A portable hot tub is a self-contained hot tub with massage jets. Unlike some old hot tubs, there is no plumbing connection. You will fill your hot tub with a garden hose and by using sanitizers, generally replace your water every 3 - 4 months. The only connection to your hot tub will be electrical power.
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What is the difference between a "spa" and a "hot tub"?
These days there really is no difference, and in fact, since an Internet Search for "spas" will generally return "Day Spas", the industry is increasingly going back to the term hot tub.
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Is it true that hot tub sales are tax-free?
Many of our clients at Premiere Hot Tubs Of Austin do purchase their hot tubs tax-free. However this is not automatic. Texas State Sales Tax Law does allow for the sales tax exempt purchase of "medically prescribed" appliances. Further, the law specifically references hot tubs and spas. We discuss this opportunity further on our Sales Tax Exemption page.
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Where can I find honest information on Spa Brands?
We would certainly suggest that you spend some time on our website as our primary purpose in developing our site was to help our clients purchase the best hot tubs within their budgets.
We'd also suggest visiting the 2 most popular sites for spa owners to write about their experiences with their spas.
http://www.hottubsparatings.com/cgi-bin/reviews.pl
http://www.whatsthebest-hottub.com/reviews/
We have also found the following website helpful at weeding out some of the larger, less reputable spa brands. It is not so good at weeding out the smaller, disreputable brands however.
http://www.pissedconsumer.com
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Should I believe Spa Ratings?
No. No organization that claims to rate spas is independent. They all take advertising money. One thing you will notice is that there are no 2, 3, or 4 Star hot tubs. They are either 5 Stars or not on the list. How is that possible?
The one company that truly is independent, Consumer Reports, has never evaluated hot tubs.
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Where can I find someone to trust when buying a hot tub?
Like most products & services, the best source is likely recommendations from people you know. Next we would recommend Angie's List* as Angie Hicks has created, over the past 15 years, a service that is all about homeowners reviewing companies & people who provide services & products for your home. You can also find many reviews on the Internet at sites such as Google, Citysearch, Insiderpages, Yellowpages, Yahoo, Superpages, etc.
* You must be a member of Angie's List in order to access homeowner reviews.
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What should I know about warranties?
First, warranties are important. They are a legally binding agreement between you as a buyer and the manufacturer of your hot tub.
Second, to be concise, there is a mountain of hype in the hot tub business. Some true, some only partially true, and quite a bit that has no truth. One reason for our answers above is to help you find spa dealers & manufacturers that are truthful.
Third, despite the hype, what a manufacturer really believes about their product is stated in their warranty. If their warranty does not match their hype, our advice would be to stay away.
Fourth, quite a few manufacturers are reluctant to make their warranties readily available; however the top manufacturers are not. If you find even the slightest reluctance to provide you with a warranty, we would again advise seeking a different company. By the way, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that warranties be made available before your purchase.
FTC Warranty Requirements
Fifth, the top hot tub companies do not prorate their warranties. However most all mid-tier and low-quality manufacturers do prorate. They are trying to make their warranties appear better than they really are. To us, this is a form of deception. Hence, we will advise to steer clear of any company that prorates any part of their warranty.
Hot tub warranties basically have 5 components.
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Shell Structure
Shell structure covers only 1 thing. It says that the shell will not leak. It does not cover leaks in the plumbing or even leaks through the shell around jet housings. Essentially this only says that the shell will not crack sufficiently to cause a leak. As you can see, you can have a pretty badly damaged shell and still not be covered by the "shell structure" warranty. This is the reason even some poorly made spas can have fairly lengthy shell structure warranties.
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Shell Surface
A shell surface warranty provides protection should your spa shell fade, delaminate, blister, have surface cracks, etc. With very few exceptions, it will always be considerable shorter than the shell structure warranty. Unfortunately some spa companies claim to have a shell surface warranty and then turn around and exclude some of the very issues that are shell surface issues.
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Spa Structure
We have studied many spa warranties and to our knowledge only 5 spa companies have a spa structure warranty. The reason: Most spa companies continue to make their spa frames from wood!
Note: Some spa companies claim to have a "Structure Warranty" to give you the impression that they are covering the structure of the entire spa. However the fine print reveals that their structure warranty covers only the shell.
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Plumbing
This covers exactly what it says. It says that your plumbing will not leak. Though a few companies exclude couplings at the pump and control pack, most do not. If you eliminate all the spa companies with various exclusions and prorated warranties, no spa company, other than Bullfrog Spas, has a plumbing warranty that exceeds 5 years.
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Equipment
This will cover your control pack, pump, top-side controls, ozonator, etc. It will not cover items like, stereos, lighting, TV’s, etc. though these will likely have a much shorter warranty, typically only 1 year.
Note: It is common for mid-tier and low quality spa manufactures to try to escape their equipment warranties by telling you that you damaged your equipment by not maintaining your water chemistry properly. We will advise purchasing your hot tub only from the best companies in the industry. By the way, this is the reason that Bullfrog Spas, alone in the industry, offers a "BlameFree Equipment Warranty".
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Many warranties seem long & complex. How can I compare them?
We have made this easy for you. We have the warranties for all the major spa companies and many of the smaller ones. It took us many hours, but we condensed this information into an easy-to-read chart.
Hot Tub Warranty Summary
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How should I select my specific spa model?
This comes down to 5 issues.
- Decide what your budget is.
- Understand where you want to put it and how much space you have. It would be a good idea to have measured this space before you begin shopping. It will likely save you time.
- Understand how you intend to use your hot tub, primarily to understand how large a hot tub you need and how much therapy is part of your choice.
- You may or may not already know if you want a lounge, but at some point you'll need to decide. There are even spas with 2 lounges if you really like this idea.
- Sit in your hot tub to ensure you fit well and are comfortable.
This is another advantage of Premiere Hot Tubs of Austin, where we have the largest showroom in Central Texas. We simply have more hot tubs for you to consider.
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Should I wet test a spa?
It is certainly not a bad idea, however we know from a lot of experience that barely 2% of customers will wet test their hot tub. So what we do say, is be sure to dry test your hot tub to ensure you fit and are comfortable. If you are when dry, you very likely will be when your hot tub is full of warm water.
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What should I spend on a hot tub?
That depends on a # of factors. We carry hot tubs from $3,795 to $12,995. There is basically a hot tub for everyone and whether its one of these or somewhere in between we are happy to help you purchase what is best for you.
There is 1 point we would stress. There are plenty of cheap hot tubs. However, quality is always less expensive in the long run. Buying the best in your price range will result in lower cost over time and you being much happier in future years.
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What is a "Captain's Chair"?
A Captain's Chair is basically a vertical lounge. It gives you the benefit of a lounge (largely jets on your legs and feet) without floating. Clearwater Spas has many spas with Captain's chairs, even some with two.
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What is a 48-Frame versus a 56-Frame motor?
48-Frame motors are basically pool motors, not designed for the rigors of hot tubs with their high-pressure massage jets. Never-the-less, several of the best known hot tub manufacturers continue to use 48-Frame motors, as do discount brands.
Specifically "Frame" refers to the diameter of the armature in the motor. Although 2 motors may have the same horsepower rating, a 56-Frame motor will be 40% larger. It will also run cooler and last longer. However they cost more, hence many spa companies use the cheaper 48-Frame motors knowing they will last just about as long as their warranties. Motors run around $450 - $550, add in labor and these manufacturers & their dealers have locked in additional profits at your expense. To make matters worse, we have found dealers telling customers their spa brands use 56-Frame motors, when they're not.
Notes:
- Both Bullfrog Spas and Clearwater Spas use 56-Frame motors exclusively.
- The easiest way to tell the difference between a 48 Frame & 56 Frame motor is to measure the ouside diameter of the motor. A 48 Frame motor is approx. 5 1/2 inches, while a 56 Frame motor is about 6 1/2 inches.
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What are circulation pumps? Are they important in a hot tub?
In order to maintain clean water, your spa will operate in circulation mode at least part of the day. Some spas will use the low speed on the primary pump running 2 - 8 hours a day. Other spas will use a much smaller, separate circulation pump running 8 - 24 hours a day. Both processes can work well, however a separate circulation pump is preferable with a salt system as Bromine is produced when the spa is in circulation mode.
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What do you recommend regarding hot tubs and small children?
There are 2 safety issues to consider as a hot tub generally has 2 - 3 feet of water and it is, of course, at least warm.
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All spa covers from quality hot tub companies meet the 2003 Safety Performance Requirements of the ASTM F1346 - 91 Standards. This means the cover has at least 4 clips to secure the cover in position and these clips can be locked to prevent access. (Even in the unlocked position the clips will secure your cover in mild to moderate winds.)
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In 1987, both the Consumer Products Safety Commission and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) wrote recommendations that consumer hot tubs not be allowed to be programmed to exceed 104 o. However even this temperature is too hot for small children. When your small kids are in your hot tubs with you, we would recommend not exceeding 100 o and no more than 20 minutes. If you all want to enjoy your hot tub for a longer period, set you spa for 98 o or lower.
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Spa Installation
What are the city building code requirements for a hot tub?
Though this will vary a bit by city, basically these 3 things are required:
- Your spa must be protected by a GFCI.
- You must have a Disconnect Box visible from your spa and at least 5' away.
- Not needed with 120V spas (see below)
- Your spa must not be within 10' of the vertical drop from any power line.
Note: Most electricians will satisfy the 1st 2 requirements with a "Spa Pack". This is a box where the GFCI is the cutoff. They run around $90 at Home Improvement Stores, though often less on-line.
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What kind of foundation do I need for my hot tub?
We will suggest a "firm, flat, and relatively level" foundation. This may be concrete, pavers, pea gravel, or crushed granite. You can also put your hot tub on a deck. In this case, you want your deck to support a minimum of 150lbs. / sq. ft.
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What are the electrical requirements for my hot tub?
Most hot tubs (of all brands) require a 240V*, 50 Amp, Dedicated service. Some of the largest hot tubs (with more than 2 pumps) will require 60 Amps. And some of the smallest (such as Tuff Spas) will operate on a 120V, 20 Amp, Dedicated line.
It is important that copper wire be used, not aluminum!
240V installations have 4 wires (2 Hot lines [Black & Red], a Neutral [White], and a Ground [either Green or bare copper]).
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White
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Red
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Black
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Ground
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White
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X
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120
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120
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0
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Red
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120
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X
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240
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120
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Black
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120
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240
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X
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120
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Ground
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0
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120
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120
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X
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Finally, though 8 Gauge wire can be used in some 240V installations, we will always suggest 6 Gauge copper wire. 6 Gauge is substantially larger than 8 Gauge and will help your motors last longer by reducing any voltage drop.
* Note that 220V, 230V, and 240V are all the same thing, as are 110V, 115V, and 120V.
What should my electrician charge to run power to my hot tub?
Generally speaking you should plan on paying $500 - $750 for the installation of a dedicated, 240V, 50Amp service. Please click here to see Electricians that Premiere Hot Tubs Of Austin refers.
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What is a GFCI?
A GFCI is a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. They are also called GFI's. They are designed to protect you. In fact you have GFCI's in your home (although they are 120V) in your kitchen and bathroom (anywhere there is power and water).
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Can I put a spa in-ground?
You certainly can. We recently created a separate website devoted exclusively to InGround Spa & Hot Tubs.
Austin InGround Hot Tubs & Spas
(click here)
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What will it cost to operate my hot tub?
Bullfrog & Clearwater Spas have some of the lowest costs to operate, lower in fact than some of the major brands that often suggest they are the most efficient. With both Bullfrog & Clearwater Spas you can expect to spend between $12 - $20 per month depending on spa size and time of the year.
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Some companies talk a lot about their filters. Is this the issue they make of it?
A few companies really oversell this feature in order to make other spas appear inadequate. However, with proper circulation, all your spa water will pass through your filters many times a day. As a result, 2 filters of 100 - 150 sq. ft. is more than adequate.
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What is an ozonator?
An ozonator introduces ozone gas into your spa water in order to oxidize accumulated waste material. In a hot tub, ozone is not a sanitizer, but it will reduce your sanitizer requirements.
Some companies oversell their own proprietary ozonators saying they have chemical-free systems. This is simply not true. The EPA approves only 3 chemicals for sanitation in swimming pools & hot tubs; Bromine, Chlorine, and a chemical with a much longer name but abbreviated PHMB. To be in compliance with federal regulation at least 1 of these must be used for sanitation.
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What does "Appliance Grade" mean?
Several companies making rather poor hot tubs have taken to calling their spas, "Appliance Grade". To us it means, "Stay Away". None of the best spa manufacturers use this term. This is nothing more than another bit of marketing hype by some of the worst players in our industry.
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What is Microban®?
Microban® is basically a pesticide. Some "inventive" folks figured out a way to add it to plastics back in the 1990's. Now you will find a # of spa manufacturers noting that they use Microban®acrylic in their spa shells. Via one means or another they will try to convince you that this kills bacteria. There is only 1 small problem. Microban®, in acrylic, has been proven to have absolutely no value. It does not kill a thing when embedded in acrylic! More information can be found here.
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With Spas from $3,795 to $12,995, Premiere Hot Tubs is the Only Place to Go for the Best in Spas & Hot Tubs. From San Antonio to Waco, San Angelo to College Station, we are your Hot Tub Destination!
We always have 20 - 25 Hot Tubs on display in our Austin showroom; the largest selection of spas for you to view and test in Texas!
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