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Posts Tagged ‘Spa’

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Swimming Pools vs. Hot Tubs – Which is Better?

March 1st, 2013 by

a pool and a spa, in one

 

Which is better – a swimming pool or a hot tub – which would you rather have? If you had this deluxe swim spa pictured here, you’d be able to swim in the upper area and soak in the lower hot tub. It’s the best of both worlds!

There are some strong opinions on the swimming pools vs. spas and hot tub question. I took a straw poll around the office and posed the question to my facebook friends.

 

“What would you rather have… a Pool, or a Spa?

The most common response was “Can’t I have both?” or “I have both!”, which forced me to revise my question, or add the caveat…

“If you could only have one… a Pool, or a Spa?”

After tallying the responses (many of them hilarious), I can now present to you the findings of my study.

 

“I would Rather Have a Pool Because…” pools-are-best-sm

  • I like to swim laps (or water exercises).
  • Nothing like the cool of the pool on a hot summer day.
  • Fun for the kids (or grandkids).
  • Entertainment – pool parties.
  • Sun Tan!

 

“I would Rather Have a Spa Because…”

hot-tubs-are-best-sm

  • Hot tubs soaks are so relaxing
  • Spas are very romantic
  • Can use a hot tub all year long
  • Much cheaper to buy
  • Easier to manage
  • Safer

 

I suppose that I’m partial to spas and hot tubs, but to be fair, I honestly do prefer my hot tub to having an inground swimming pool. I don’t think I’d even want one. We belonged to a community pool when my children were young, (they’re  now grown and moved on) so I made sure they had learned how to swim. One of my babies was on the swim team for many years. Living in southern California, swimming pools are quite common, and many of our friends have swimming pools.

And now that some of us are getting older, hot tubs seem to fit our lifestyle better. A pool would not get as much use at our house, but there it would be – demanding my daily attention. Or the attention of my husband!

My spa is so easy to take care of, it literally takes me 5 minutes per week – and that suits me fine. A swimming pool, from what my friends tell me, takes them about an hour per week in cleaning and maintenance.

And the cost of operation is much higher with pools. My friends with pools also report that they spend at least $1000 per year, running the pumps and keeping the chemicals correct, and making small repairs to the equipment. Then we went on to tell me stories of the BIG repairs, which I won’t bore you with, but some can be expensive.

So, I’ll keep my spa for now. What about you? Let’s keep the Study of Preference going – which would YOU rather have, a Pool, or a Hot Tub? Leave a Comment below, and let us know how you really feel about it!

Carolyn Mosby
Hot Tub Works

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Freeflow Spas Purchased By Hot Spring Spas

January 11th, 2012 by

The news came out a couple weeks ago that the largest Hot Tub maker purchased one of the smaller Hot Tub makers in the industry.

freeflow

 

Why? A couple of reasons; Freeflow Spas are roto-molded and thus, they are less expensive to make. Therefore, Hot Spring now can offer their dealers an entry level price point spa.

Rumors have it that many Hot Spring dealers were starting to sell the Freeflow product over the last two years, so in a sense, they bought the company that was starting to give them competition for floor space.

The second reason is Costco. In 2011, the major portion of the Freeflow volume was sold to Costco.

The type of product Freeflow makes is perfect for mass merchants, light, durable, and lower priced. By buying Freeflow, Hot Spring now has a product that is well suited to the channel and has the best mass merchant for hot tubs, Costco. The mass merchant channel is important in a time where traditional brick and mortar spa dealers are shrinking.

Time will tell if Hot Spring is really committed to the mass channel as they might be just waiting for the new product to grow with their current dealer channel and then pull out of Costco when they no longer need the sales to justify the purchase.

What is logical to assume is they (Hot Spring) will be in Costco for 2012 for they need the revenue in the short term to justify the big money they paid for Freeflow. Rumors have Hot Spring/Watkins paying about $6+ million for the company, based on $10M in sales.

The bottom line is this is good for everyone, Hot Spring will increase the volume, Costco will enjoy having a bigger supplier with better marketing support. The dealers will enjoy having a entry level product from the mother ship. Consumers will enjoy the confidence they are buying a product from the biggest and the best in the industry.

- Jack

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Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Why a Hot Tub? Benefits to Spa Ownership

June 28th, 2011 by

Benefits of Hot Tubs and Spas

benefits-to-spa-ownershipHot tubs are beneficial from all possible aspects and have proven to be a good investment for families. They have therapeutic and health related advantages and are a good source of water therapy. Hot tubs solve problems related to stress, such as insomnia or bodily aches and pains. Thus they serve well for patients of arthritis. Relaxing in a hot tub serves as a pain reducer and also releases euphoric feelings by releasing endorphins in the relaxer’s body. Therefore, it is also beneficial for patients of depression.

By increasing circulation in the blood, hot tubs also work well with injured people by helping in quicker rehabilitation of injured parts of the body. Surprisingly enough, it has also been scientifically proven that hot tubs may serve to curb diabetes by reducing sugar levels in blood. Besides being used as an ultimate means of relaxation, hot tubs may also be used for rowing, swimming, yoga and other forms of exercise.

Other than health benefits, one can also look at financial benefits of investing in a hot tub. Firstly, since hot tubs are often suggested by doctors to patients of depression, arthritis, insomnia etc, if bought along with a doctor’s prescription, one can undertake a much lower sales tax on a hot tub. Secondly, if you decide to buy a portable hot tub, contrary to widely held beliefs, you will not experience an increase in your property tax. Lastly, a hot tub can act as a major advantage when your house is out on the market searching for possible buyers. Real estate agents generally claim that houses with hot tubs definitely attract many more buyers than usual, thus proving to be quite an asset in the long run, even after you are done using it!

Hot tubs are a much better option as compared to general hot favorites such as swimming pools. This is because all the other alternatives are hardly used throughout the year, especially during winter, autumn and spring. While hot tubs are used much more often, especially in areas with colder and longer winters. They are also useable during hot summers to cool off by simply reducing the temperature of the water in the hot tubs.

So, hot tubs prove to be an easy to use, low maintenance asset to you all year round. Other than putting one’s money to full use, hot tubs are a much more affordable option than pools, RV’s, or home remodeling projects.

For information about hot tub covers , spa covers, spa supplies, spa parts, please contact http://www.hottubworks.com.

Thanks,

Jerry

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Posted in Consumer Research for Best Hot Tub | 1 Comment »

Hot Tubs Help With Sleep And Stress

June 13th, 2011 by

Hot Tub Dealer Gets Involved With Men’s Health

spa-soaks-help-insomniaSpring Dance Hot Tubs,  Pennsylvania’s HotSpring Spas’ dealer is showing their support for National Men’s Health Month by offering free spa test soaks in all their hot tub stores.

According to Armin Brott, a spokesman for the Men’s Health Network, “The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. Men’s Health Month is celebrated across the country with screenings, health fairs, media appearances, and other health education and outreach activities.”

A 2010 “Stress in America” survey recently released by the American Psychological Association, states that Americans are struggling to balance work and home life and make time to engage in healthy behaviors, with stress not only taking a toll on their personal physical health, but also affecting the emotional and physical well-being of their families,” says Rebekah Decker, marketing manager of Spring Dance.

The 2011 Sleep in America poll released in March 2011 found that 43% of Americans between the ages of 13 and 64 state rarely or never get a good night’s sleep on weeknights, and more than half (60%) state they experience a sleep problem every night or almost every night,” continued Decker.

“Some research finds that insomnia tends to increase with age and affects about 40 percent of women and 30 percent of men. Men’s Health Month is the perfect time to help educate the public on how soaking in a hot tub before you head off to bed can ease the transition into a deeper, more fulfilling and healing sleep,” says Decker.

There is nothing like a good hot tub soak to relax the body. I find that it’s a great way to unwind, and helps me fall asleep faster, and sleep more deeply.

Thanks;

Jerry

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Hot Tub at Playboy Mansion Needs Some Love…

April 18th, 2011 by

Health scare: Playboy bunnies pose under the marquee at the Mansion before the party. Officials have found the Legionella bacteria in a hot tub

Being experts on the subject of hot tub maintenance, I was surprised to see this outbreak come from one the most infamous hot tubs that exist in LA.

It would be real easy to make a moral correlation here but I’ll refrain from the obvious……

Article below.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Health officials have confirmed that the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease was found in a whirlpool spa at the Playboy Mansion where more than 100 people fell ill in February.

The Los Angeles County Health Department presented its findings on Friday at an annual conference at the Centres for Disease Control in Atlanta. The legionella bacteria also causes a milder illness called Pontiac fever.

Health scare: Playboy bunnies pose under the marquee at the Mansion before the party. Officials have found the Legionella bacteria in a hot tub.
Struck down: Investigators found the bacteria which causes Legionnaires' at the Playboy Mansion after scores of people fel ill on the same day
Struck down: Investigators found the bacteria which causes Legionnaires’ at the Playboy Mansion after scores of people fell ill on the same day
Investigation: 200 guests fell ill after attending a fundraiser at Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Mansion in February

Symptoms, which include fever and headache, are the same as those suffered by the Playboy Mansion partygoers. The people who fell ill were at the mansion to mark the end of the three-day DOMAINFest Global Conference on internet business. The conference took place at the Fairmont Hotel in Santa Monica.

On the second night, there was a party at the Sky Bar on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. The finale on the third night was at Playboy founder Hugh Hefner’s famous mansion. Within 48 hours after leaving it, scores of people reported coming down with symptoms including fever, respiratory problems and violent headaches. About 700 people from 30 countries attended the conference.

DOMAINFest asked people who were at the event to fill out a confidential survey to help in the health department investigation. Officials ended up speaking to 439 people and found that up to 200 of them had a fever and at least one other symptom. Sixty-nine people reported falling ill on the same day.

Something in the air? Public health investigators believe the illness which affected 200 guests may have been spread through the atmospheric fog
Something in the air? Public health investigators believe the illness which affected 200 guests may have been spread through the atmospheric fog. Dr Jonathan Fielding, director of the county Department of Public Health, said that Legionella bacteria are commonly found in moist environments. Pontiac fever, which is caused by bacteria, typically lasts two to five days and treatment is usually unnecessary, ktla.com reports.

The bacteria are not spread from person to person, they are inhaled in water vapor from hot tubs, showers and even air conditioning systems. Some of those who became ill originally suspected a fog machine that was used at the party in February.

A Playboy spokesman said at the time: ‘There is no truth in the rumor that anyone caught anything at the Playboy Mansion, nor is there any evidence. ‘None of the Playboy staff became ill, the deejay was in the middle of the fog and she didn’t get ill. ‘We have been contacted by the Health Department and the Playboy Mansion is cooperating fully with the investigation.’

One partygoer, Elliot J. Silver, said: ‘It is scary that everyone came down with the same thing at the same time. ‘It knocked me on my ass. A lot of people are blaming the Playboy Mansion on the blogs, but you can’t be sure.’

- Legionnaires disease is one of many bacterias that can cause sickness, from improperly sanitized and filtered hot tubs.

Thanks;Jerry

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Posted in spa chemicals | 3 Comments »

Why use MPS-Shock In a Spa or Hot Tub

April 15th, 2011 by

One of the most frequently asked questions I get is “why use Non-Chlorine Spa Shock?”

Zodiac Cense - Shock and Aromatherapy in One! - Multi-Pack

In order to answer this question we need to understand what sanitizer does and this will help you understand why it is important to add shock at all.

Sanitizing your spa water is the most important spa maintenance you can do for yourself. Soaking in a spa is like taking a bath however you do not drain the spa when you are done like you would your bath tub. The warm water of hot tubs provides an ideal breeding ground for potentially harmful microorganisms. If we do not maintain an effective sanitizer system to control them, bacteria from our bodies, as well as airborne mold spores, algae, and even viruses can find their way into the water.

A Sanitizer such as Chlorine, Bromine, Nature2 or Spa Frog is used to destroy these microorganisms and keep the spa water safe and healthy. When using a Sanitizer alone the sanitizer has to do two jobs. The first is to destroy microorganisms and the second is to oxidize (burn up) the dead organic material left behind in your water, as well as non-filterable material such as dirt, soap films, hair spray and perspiration. That is a lot of work for the sanitizer to do.

MPS Shock (MonoPeroxySulfate) is a non-chlorine compound that will do the job of oxidizing allowing the sanitizer to do the more important job of destroying the microorganisms. Regardless of which sanitizer you use, shocking is essential for clear, clean hot tub water. It will also allow your sanitizer to perform at peak efficiency.

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Top Ten Spa Cover Care Tips

March 31st, 2011 by

spa-cover-care

 

One of the most frequently asked questions I get from our customers is how to take care of a new spa cover. Here’s my list of ten tips to increase the lifespan of a new spa cover.

If you have any spa cover care tips of your own, leave them below in the comments! Or, make your own list of Do’s and Dont’s for hot tub covers, ways to increase their lifespan.

 

Ten Hot Tub Cover Care Tips

  1. Clean your spa cover monthly with mild liquid dish soap or hand soap diluted in water. Hose the cover off, and use an old towel to dry.
  2. Use cover wipes like our 303 Spa Cover Wipes, or apply a vinyl conditioner like Vinyl Protectant or Spa Cover Conditioner and Protector.
  3. Do not use an abrasive sponge. Use a small, clean hand towel, regular sponge or soft bristled brush.
  4. Use a Spa Cover lifter, to avoid damage while moving it, or while stored.
  5. Keep your spa cover latched while it’s on; use Wind Straps in areas of high winds or hurricanes.
  6. Remove your spa cover for an hour, at least twice weekly, to allow it to “gas off” and dry out.
  7. If you have Tree Sap on the cover you can remove this by rubbing some vegetable oil on the sap.
  8. Mildew can be removed with a vinegar solution cleaning, rinsing, and a thorough drying.
  9. Don’t allow kids or large animals to stand or sit on the spa cover.
  10. Remove snow accumulation of more than 12 inches.

Mildew Growth in Spa Covers

Vinyl protectants have ingredients designed to protect your cover from the sun’s rays so that your spa cover will look great for many years. But beneath the vinyl, mildew can appear on spa covers, when conditions are right.

The underside of the cover is made to withstand the harsh chemical environment it is exposed to but should be removed weekly from the spa, to allow it to dry. It is also important to keep the spa water balanced, and with proper sanitizer levels. These two things will inhibit growth of mildew.

Most hot tub owners use their hot tub at least 3 times a week which allows the cover to be exposed to air. If you do not use your tub as often make sure to open the cover up at least twice a week and allow the cover as well as the water to breathe.

There is nothing organic in the spa cover to grow mildew, so if mildew does appear it is due to improper chemical levels or not airing out the tub cover enough. If you do get mildew try swabbing the area with vinegar and laying the cover in the sun for a day.

In extreme cases, you’ll want to unzip the cover, to allow cleaning inside of the fabric and of the foam core, applying the vinegar solution internally. Stand the spa cover in an upside-down “V” shape. preferably in the sun, on a warm and dry day.

With simple maintenance you can further extend the life of your new spa cover.

Lietta!

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Posted in spa covers | 5 Comments »

The Soak is Always Better on the Other Side…

March 9th, 2011 by

soak in a spa - hot tubs are great no matter where they areAlthough I live in beautiful Southern California and the weather is usually amazing, I found myself becoming envious of our customers living in the Mid-West and North-East.

It always sounded crazy to me that anyone would go into their hot tub when it is freezing outside. So I had to ask why? My first thought was I would never go out in freezing weather to get in my hot tub. As it was explained why and described to me how wonderful it is to be in the warm water while snow is falling from the sky I could feel myself “turning green”.

One customer mentioned that while soaking in her lavender scented water not only can she enjoy the snow falling on her head, she has seen comets fly by.

Another customer mentioned how he watches the sunrise over snow covered trees while safe and warm in his hot tub. He actually eats breakfast and drinks coffee in his tub hot every morning. He was buying a new Spa Caddy to hold his morning meal.

Now, California may have nice weather but I want to see comets fly by, snow fall on my head and the sun rise over snow covered trees while safe and warm in my hot tub.

I guess the soak is always better on the other side.

 

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Posted in Consumer Research for Best Hot Tub, Spa Crystals | 1 Comment »

Helping a Customer With a Rodent Issue

March 3rd, 2011 by

Mice in hot tubsIts crazy to think about just how many items there are on our site. Just the other day while helping a customer I discovered an item that I think would be helpful to a lot of people out there.

He was complaining that rodents were getting up in his equipment and eating through his wires. Mice underneath the spa. So not only did I help him find the replacement wires he needed but I helped him find an item that should help with his rodent problem as well.

The item is question is sku # 3-80-700-1000. The official name of it is the Mouse-Away Pouch. It is a little pouch with different types of essential oils that is supposed to repel rodents. The best thing about it is that it is poison free so it wont harm them or you.

Hopefully you don’t have any rodent issues but if you do I think that this item will really help!!  I was glad that I had previously discussed the item with our technician and that I was able to help a customer find a solution to their problem.

So remember, if you ever have any questions on any of the items on our site (there are a lot J) or need help solving a sticky situation with your hot tub we are always here to help.

~Nicholas

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Posted in Consumer Research for Best Hot Tub, life, Spa Parts | 2 Comments »

Ozone and Minerals for Spas & Hot Tubs

February 17th, 2011 by

ozoneMineral Sanitizers (Nature2, Frog Floating System, Sundance Spas Sunpurity, Hot Spring AG Mineral Purifier) is offered as an alternative sanitation system for spas and pools, with promises of cleaner water without the drawbacks of chlorine. However, these Mineral Sanitizers recognize that they do not oxidize all the organics that a spa may contain, so it recommends using its product ‘Cense’ as the required oxidizer (a version of MSP, or monopersulfate).

We have nothing against MSP, but why not have the best oxidizer you can have, without adding ANY more chemicals? It’s not just DEL saying this. Here’s the assessment of freedrinkingwater.com:

What is Ozone for Spas?

“Ozone, fed into the water continuously by an Ozone generator, is the strongest oxidizer for pool [or spa] water treatment. …Ozone has a minimal effect on pH and water chemistry.”

The bottom line for spa and pool disinfection is that ozone is the strongest, broad-spectrum oxidizer that can be delivered simply and reliably. Ozone combines well with Mineral Sanitizers (Nature2, Frog Floating System, Sundance Spas Sunpurity, Hot Spring AG Mineral Purifier) minerals to cover the gaps in sanitation left by Mineral Sanitizers alone.

What is a Mineral Sanitizer?

Mineral Sanitizers are a “mineral bed” that is installed in your spa circulation to deposit silver and copper ions into the water to kill bacteria and algae, respectively. This is distinct from ionizing systems because the minerals are deposited through the flow of water through a cartridge rather than an electrical ionization process. Mineral Sanitizers shares some benefits with Ozone in that neither of them relies on excessive use of chemicals like chlorine that can have harmful byproducts when used at high enough doses to be effective.

Is Ozone and a Mineral Sanitizer Your Best Option?

No disinfection system is perfect, but if your criteria are for a simple and effective disinfection routine that produces clean, fresh smelling water with minimal harmful byproducts, start with Ozone. Whether you choose to supplement it with Mineral Sanitizers (Nature2, Frog Floating System, Sundance Spas Sunpurity, Hot Spring AG Mineral Purifier) or a small residual level of chlorine, you will be able to maintain fresh, safe water in your spa.

We have traditionally recommended a strong Ozone system coupled with a small residual amount of chlorine (maintained at about 3 ppm for spas, depending on your typical usage) for a simple, low cost way to keep spa water pure. The chemicals and the tests they need are widely available and understood. But if a Mineral Sanitizer appeals to you, we know it can also work.

Thanks;

Jerry

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Posted in Consumer Research for Best Hot Tub, Spa Ozone | 6 Comments »

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