How Hot Tub Time Machine Brought Back Hot Tub Love

How Hot Tub Time Machine Brought Back Hot Tub Love

For many people, hot tubs have always been thought of as a sort of “party in a box”, a way to get people together for some relaxation and good times. Then came the movie Hot Tub Time Machine. What a better way to bring together the 80’s, Hot Tubs and John Cusack?

The following are five reasons Hot Tub Time Machine brought the “cool” back to hot tubs:

1) The extreme excitement when son Jacob first saw the hot tub.

You walk into your cabin in the dead of winter, tired, exhausted and ready to hit the hay. You take a look around each room, check out the kitchen, then head out to the deck to take a look at the lake. And there it is.

A hot tub.

Your whole personality shifts from tired to excitement as you change and take a dip. Are hot tubs exciting? You bet. People pay a premium for whirlpools, spas, and hot tubs while staying at hotels and rental cabins all over the world.

2) Hot tubbing is the one-time men will hang out half naked and be okay.

Men are terrified of being “uncool,” so hanging out half naked with their friends is out of the question…most of the time.

Except when it comes to hot tubs.

Men will pile into a hot tub with beer and hang out for hours. And hot tub Time Machine reminded men of this. Conclusion: Hot tubs equal quality man time.

3) The movie Hot Tub Time Machine actually brought hot tubs to the top of mind for most of those that forgot about them.

Some say hot tubs had their moment during the 80’s, when they became an object of fascination and gave the owner “street cred.” And this movie made naysayers remember why people love them so much. Hot tubs, spas and saunas are making a comeback. With many options and countless health benefits, portable hot tubs are popping up in backyards, hotels and cabins all over the country.

4) Hot Tubs bring people together.

All it takes is a new hot tub to have your home transformed into a more social, inviting place. Every one of the main characters in the movie jumped in the hot tub without a hitch. People enjoy sitting in the portable hot tub, spending time with friends, family, and love interests – just hopefully not at the same time.

5) The fact that a hot tub turned into a time machine. Enough said.

While we can’t sell you a hot tub that is a time machine, you might want to take the main focal point item out of this movie and move it into your backyard. Maybe a true hot tub time machine isn’t possible, but the fun and excitement you saw thought the movie is. SpasAndStuff.com can make your hopes of owning a hot tub into a reality. There is even a hot tub with TV so you can watch the movies while enjoying your hydrotherapy.

2010 Buyers Guide for Hot Tubs - What to Look For in a Hot Tub

Easy Access
Your hot tub purchase isn’t for just one season, so considerations for maintenance and repair should be included in your purchase. Look for easy access to equipment. Years ago, it was typical to “jam” a spa cabinet with foam, but like everything else mechanical, heat buildup is an issue, so look for insulation where its needed – like surrounding plumbing lines, but make sure there is air space for equipment and that its easy to access. No matter where you live, a better insulated hot tub will save you money. Quality hot tub insulation should not be an option or an upgrade; it should be a standard feature.

Standard Parts
Believe it or not, Exclusive is bad in the hot tub industry. What it’s really saying is that you can’t get parts from any other supplier. There are several companies that make readily available high quality parts. All manufacturers use third parties for parts; however, if purchased in volumes, the manufacturer can request custom variations to ensure repair parts are purchased from them. One company even positioned the motor frame at an angle, so that you can’t buy a standard part, so you are held up for their price.

Avoid “Blowers” and “Air Only Jets”
Although popular years ago, most good manufacturers have abandoned powered air blowers and “air-only” jets. Air blower orifices can be sources of dangerous airborne mold and bacteria, since they can't be effectively sanitized by the treated spa water. Blowers quickly cool down the hot tub water, wasting large amounts of reheating energy. They are also loud, sounding like a vacuum cleaner. Air only jets make bubbles, but they don’t really provide true massaging hydrotherapy. Modern spas have air-induction jets which mix air with water, so separate blowers are unnecessary. The addition of air can be turned on and off. When the air is on, this creates a more powerful massaging action from the jets.

Warranty
Although, the length of a warranty on the hot tub should not be the primary reason for buying, warranties are hidden "insurance policies." It is built into the price of the hot tub. Typically, the least expensive hot tubs have a one year parts and as little as a 90 day labor warranty. This is for one reason; it helps to make them affordable. Even a mid-priced hot tub should offer you a longer warranty on parts and labor. Watch for hidden costs such as deductibles, pro-rating and service call trip charges.

Ergonomics
At some point you may want to sit up higher and cool down, especially in summer. Look for a higher seat, which typically doubles as a step, and possibly a flat surface on the upper edge of the spa. These areas can allow a person to cool off, while still staying in the conversation. Those rounded edge shells are a poor seat for those that are looking to relax and cool down. Also drink holders can be useful to help minimize spills in your hot tub.

Phony Awards
As we currently understand it, there are NO valid awards given to any hot tub manufacturer. The so-called awards are nothing more than paid advertising. Consumer's Digest logo used on brochures, NSPI awards, and “Star Ratings” from Pool and Spa are offered to advertisers who spend enough money with these organizations. Typically they never even look at the product.
The consumer will be better served ensuring the hot tub they purchase is approved for sale in their country by an agency such as ETL, TUV, or UL. These ratings means the entire hot tub has passed the various tests, from shell strength to electrical wiring. This is commonly not the case on hot tubs imported from China.

There are many high quality hot tub manufacturers in the USA. Do your best to compare the list of features you will receive for the price you will pay. And check the reputation of the company you are purchasing from. There are better retail stores and better online stores. You will typically get your best deal from a reputable online hot tub dealer.

Common Myths in Hot Tub Sales

Open Cell Foam vs. Closed Cell Foam:

Many hot tub salesmen will profess they have a particular type of foam insulation, typically closed cell foam insulation. This is not really an identifying feature, but for hot tubs, an industry standard. The fact of the matter is everyone who uses foam insulation in the hot tub industry uses closed cell polyurethane foam. Open cell polyurethane foam does exist, but in the form of "foam rubber", great for cushions, but for insulating hot tubs, not so much. The reason closed cell is used for insulation is that the foam is a cluster of trapped air cells that act as a poor conductor of heat. The quality and amount of foam insulation are factors that will effect your hot tub electrical usage.

For example, when a lesser quality closed cell foam is exposed to the chemically treated water of a hot tub, in many instances the foam's cells can "open" and allow water saturation. This can lead to a hot tub that weighs significantly more following a leak, and when the "dead air" inside the foam is replaced by water, a lowering of your hot tubs "R factor" occurs.

Horsepower equals Value?

This may be irrelevant, for what really matters when evaluating a pump's performance is the "head" of the pump, a rating that has more to do with flow than actual horsepower. So unless you salesman is familiar with flow or the nozzle math, he will be little help. Try to compare GPM (gallons per minute) and note the quantity and sizes of jets. Too many jets on too small of a pump will equal week hydrotherapy .

Power consumption:

Most hot tubs are used heavily in the first ninety days and then use tapers to "normal" after that. As a result, your first few months are a poor representation of the total cost of hot tub ownership. Also, higher priced tubs do not necessarily translate to lower costs of operation. Yes they may have higher quality components, but they may have little impact on energy efficiency. The best way to determine the average cost is to do the math...

A rule of thumb is to take each appliance that the hot tub uses and read the label, e.g.

115V 2.0 HP motor @ 3.6 amps draw

Now using the Volts x Amps = power (watts)

That translates to 115V x 3.6 amps = 414 watts or .414 KW

So at 10 cents per KWH and if you run the hot tub pump 8hrs a day

.414KW x $.10/KWH x 8 H = $ .3312 per day or $ 9.93 per 30 day month

Now that is just one component. Remember, you are told that "This hot tub will only run you $10 a month in electricity”. It is only partially true, for that one component (say one pump during daily filtering) will cost you $10/month in electricity to filter, but remember there is cost associated with lighting, heating, summer VS winter, and more pumps during use with the cover off.

Top 10 Reasons to Own a Hot Tub

1. Relaxing: think of how you can relax in a nice warm quiet bathtub. Now move that hot tub of water outside for the fresh air. Then make it larger, deeper, add the massaging actions of hydrotherapy jets and add a heater. Hot tubs are all that and more.

2. Muscle Massage: The best hot tubs offer you a variety of seat depths and designs. You should find a variety of jet styles and jet positions in each seat and the jets should be adjustable. The hot tub pumps will also typically have low and high speed, and you should be able to turn the air on/off to increase/decrease the strength of the hydrotherapy jets. This allows you to pick just the right seat, with just the right jets, at just the right strength, to massage away those stresses of the day.

3. Joint Pain Relief: The full body heating effect that you get in hot tubs feels great. I think we all know that the application of heat is a common treatment for various aches and pains. Why not do it while you float away stress in your very own hot tub spa.

4. Improve Sleep: Relaxing in a hot tub raises the body temperature and enhances your ability to fall asleep. Evening soaks help to promote restful, uninterrupted sleep, which allows you to face the next day fully refreshed.

5. Limbering Up: The hot water in hot tubs decreases muscle tension, which allows greater flexibility. You can also stretch better when you are buoyant in the water.

6. Gathering Place: Flip open the hot tub cover, start the jets, and watch how family members and friends migrate to the hot tub for a soak. What a great way to enjoy some "quality time" with the children or grandchildren.

7. Post-Op Therapy: We hear from many folks every year who are buying hot tubs to help them recover from surgery, often for back or leg problems. Some folks are fortunate enough that their insurance company will pay for a hot tub if they have a prescription from their doctor. Hot tubs provide hydrotherapy rehabilitation which may help patients get back on their feet faster.

8. Starting the Day: Imagine a morning refresher that includes a soak in your very own hot tub, while listening to the birds chirp and watching the sunrise...coffee optional.

9. Lifestyle Statement: Your new hot tub can be part of a backyard Showcase. Turn on the LED lighting and fountains, and the hot tub becomes a centerpiece for backyard parties. Even if no one gets wet, a hot tubs beautiful appearance and soothing water sounds become the center of attention.

10. Entertainment Zone: Invite friends and family members to watch home movies while relaxing in the hot tub. This is particularly fun if you have a hot tub with built in TV, such as our BellaGrande SLT. Of course you'll want a best quality hot tub stereo too, with a built-in sub-woofer.

Spas And Stuff offers great discount hot tub prices every day. Please also see our beautiful, quality outdoor kitchens for your backyard, as well as our very popular indoor infrared saunas.

Building Cheap Hot Tubs for Sale - Part 2

We offer this list, because as the saying goes, price is remembered only for a while, quality is remembered forever.
(click here to read Part 1)

Helpful Hint: check out a company by searching their name along with the words rip off, or perhaps scam. You may be glad you did.

Car or Marine Stereos instead of Proper Spa Stereos
Car stereos and most marine stereos are not suitable for hot tubs because they have cooling vents in the chassis. These vents can let moisture in that will ruin the stereo (an outdoor hot tub is a moist environment). But these stereos are attractive to cheap factories as they are very inexpensive. A common practice is to tape over the vents and hope the stereo does not overheat in the hot tub. Spas And Stuff uses proper hot tub stereos, designed for spa installation, with a sealed chassis and heat syncs for cooling.

Extruded Acrylic instead of Cast Acrylic
Continuous Cast acrylic is the industry standard for the best hot tubs. Less expensive brands use extruded acrylic to save money. Although they appear to be the same from an aesthetic standpoint, extruded acrylics are much thinner than cast acrylic. They are also prone to crack easier and will fade over time. Spas And Stuff hot tubs use cast acrylic.

Frame Construction
For best quality, a hot tub frame should be made from construction grade lumber, as ours are. We also use pressure treated lumber on all parts of the frame that would come in contact with the ground. Lesser brands will use cheap 2x2’s that are commonly used for strapping in construction and not for structural purposes. 2x2’s are generally cut from the center of the log and are more prone to warping. Some companies market steel frames. Although they look nice, they are made from a very thin steel. Properly built wood frames are stronger than steel and will not bend or rust.

Screws (non-coated or capped)
Our screws are coated to JS500 hours salt spray exposure standards to ensure that they will not rust. Many manufacturers use coated deck screws that will rust in a short period of time, and that will look terrible on your hot tub cabinet. We also cover our screws with a decorative cap to ensure that they match the hot tub cabinet.

Heater Element
Our heating elements are made form an 825 incoloy element to resist corrosion from chemical imbalances in the water and reduce the chance of calcium build up on the element. Incoloy heater elements last longer and operate more efficiently than standard heating elements.

Hot Tub Cover Quality
An area that is often overlooked when purchasing a hot tub is the quality of the "free cover." Check the specifications to ensure the hot tub cover has a vapor barrier, adequate skirt length, thick marine grade vinyl, at least a 1.5 lb foam density, and that it is tapered to provide for water runoff. Even a well insulated hot tub can cost more to heat if the cover isn't good quality.

Plumbing Shortcuts

1. Smaller piping - allows for okay pressure if the hot tubs are built with smaller jets, but you may not have nice water flow overall.
2. No clamps on jets - Just gluing the water hose to the back of the jet mount.
3. No glue on jets - Just clamping the water hose to the back of the jet mounts...our hot tub factory both glues the hose on and then clamps it, to prevent water leaks.
4. No silicone on spa jet mounts - fast method, use only preformed silicone rings to seal the jets mount to the spa shell. Our spa factory uses both liquid silicone and silicone rings. It takes longer, but practically eliminates the chance of a leak.
   

Hot Tub Water Testing
This is very important, especially if you are buying a factory direct hot tub. Our factory water tests every hot tub to ensure it does not leak and that everything works correctly. That means when you start up your new spa, it should work properly. In contrast, lower quality mass production factories may only water test every 10th or 20th hot tub.

Spas And Stuff offers great discount hot tub prices every day. Please also see our beautiful, quality outdoor kitchens for your backyard, as well as our very popular indoor infrared saunas.

Building Cheap Hot Tubs for Sale - Part 1

While Spas And Stuff has always offered great discount prices on hot tubs, sometimes we see some really cheap hot tub prices out there. While price and quality are not always a precise correlation, we thought it may be helpful to offer a list of ways a hot tub factory might cut corners in order to offer what appears to be a deep discount price. These are in no particular order, and there are so many, that we will break the information into multiple posts. As always, buyer beware, and sometimes a deal truly is too good to be true.

Foreign Made Hot Tubs
This scenario is so common, and for whatever reason, the quality of the parts and the workmanship does not seem to be the same. We get several calls a year from folks that purchased a cheap hot tub, made in (you know where) and it no longer works. Worse yet, that can't find a compatible part for replacement. When planning to purchase a hot tub, ask if it is made in the USA or Canada.

48 frame pumps instead of 56 frame pumps
48 frame pumps cost less, but take more electricity to generate the same amount of horsepower. The result is that you will likely have a higher monthly electric bill and that discount hot tub price may not seem so cheap over the years. Our 220 Volt spas come standard with 56 frame pumps.

Fixed Spa Jets instead of Adjustable Spa Jets
Fixed spa jets simply snap in place and cannot be turned on/off on an individual bases. Spas And Stuff hot tubs are only equipped with jets that can be individually turned on/off with a simple quarter turn of the outer ring of the jet. They cost more, but offer the bather greater control and variety in their hydrotherapy.

Chrome plated Spa jets instead of Stainless Steel
Chrome plated jets will quite possibly have the chrome peel over the years. On our more upscale hot tub models, we use stainless steel jets...they cannot peel.

Thin Hot Tub Shells
This can be caused by using thinner acrylic, minimal amounts of material to strengthen the shell, or a combination of both. While the spa may look shiny and new, a weaker spa shell may show signs of warping when filled with water, and of course there is the chance of cracking over time.
Spas And Stuff shells are manufactured using only thick acrylic sheet, as well as more than the recommended thickness of Acrylobond (the material that strengthens the shell).

Hot Tub Insulation: Type and Amount
Hot Tub insulation is a very big topic in that you can find many variations in the market. Some portable hot tubs have nothing but about a one quarter inch layer of expansion foam spayed on the backside of the spa shell. Cheap to purchase, but using your hot tub in the winter may prove to be ridiculously expensive. Another technique is to insulate the inside of the hot tub cabinet with board or sheet insulation. This idea is reasonable in theory, but to be truly effective, the fit has to be perfect, as well as the sealing of the cabinet. Anyone who has lived in a cold climate has probably experienced the electrical outlet that seems to be letting in cold air...the insulation was not well fitted or sealed around the outlet.
Spas And Stuff uses waterproof expansion foam on the backside of our spa shells. It is sprayed on to be several inches thick and provides an average R30 insulatingvalue. We don't put less on spas for southern climates and more for hot tubs that will be in winter climates. They are all built the same way...the right way.

Hot Tub Water Testing
In a mass production hot tub factory, or simply to keep the price down, some factories will only water test some of their spas. Spas And Stuff hot tubs are all water tested for a minimum of two hours. This ensures that all functions operate correctly and that there are no leaks in the plumbing. You'll know your spa was water tested when you unwrap it, as you are likely to find some remaining water from the plumbing down in the foot well.

Hot Tubs Sold Without an Ozone System
A common way to cut the initial price of a hot tub is to not include an Ozone Generating system. Some places charge $250.00 or more for this as an upgrade. Ozone will naturally kill bacteria in your spa water. It is not currently possible to safely add enough ozone to eliminate the need for other sanitizers such as chlorine or bromine, an ozone generator will help reduce the amount you will need and help keep your spa water crystal clear. Spas And Stuff automatically includes an ozone generator on every spa.

Hot Tub Warranties
There are four common ways we have seen companies try to make their hot tub warranty look better than it actually is.
1) The labor component is much shorter than the parts component, for example, 3 years parts, 1 year laor.
2) Pro-Rated Spa Warranties. For example, the pump may have a 3 year warranty, but the factory will only pay one third of the price of the new pump if the broken one is 2 years old.
3) Deductibles, where the owner pays the first "x" number of dollars of the warranty repair.
4) Not covering Technician trip fees. This is where the spa tech charges a fee just to drive to the home. Depending on the distance, these may be as much as $100 or more.
Our Spas And Stuff hot tub warranty is very favorable for our customers, as we do not take part in any of the aforementioned.

Check back soon for Part 2

Spas And Stuff can help you build your own personal paradise at home, an our big discount prices save you money. We also offer beautiful, quality outdoor kitchens for your backyard, as well as our very popular indoor infrared saunas, including red cedar models with the latest in carbon fiber heater technology.

Hot Tub Spa Installations

Two common questions when talking with people who are first time hot tub buyers are; where can I install one, and how difficult are they to install?

HOT TUB SPA LOCATIONS
A hot tub needs to be placed on a strong, flat, level surface. Strong for obvious reasons, level because otherwise the water will look crooked in your spa, flat because you don’t want your spa warping under pressure, which could cause problems over time. If you don’t have a sturdy deck or concrete slab, and you want a simple solution, you may consider our spa pads. They can even be easily moved in the future, should you decide to move your hot tub to a new location.

There are a lot of creative options when it comes to where you can install a hot tub. Just remember to think about the potential need for service. A portable hot tub has all of the equipment contained inside the cabinet. That means a hot tub service person would need access to the sides of the hot tub in order to perform a service call. Some hot tub manufacturers insist the homeowner leave eighteen inches of clearance on all sides of the spa, so a service person can have easy access.

Having offered those service related precautions, Spas And Stuff can proudly state that we have been selling the same brand of hot tubs for over four years, and we have had to schedule fewer than twenty warranty service calls for our customers.

At Spas And Stuff, we tell owners they may place their spa as they please, but if they block access, it will be their responsibility (and possible expense) to make the spa accessible. That may mean draining it and sliding it away from a wall. You can also pre-plan for situations like this. For example, if you plan to mount your hot tub flush into a deck, plan for service person access either with comfortable access under the deck, or perhaps removable deck panels around the hot tub. In general, our spas have most of their equipment on the same side that you find the topside electronic control panel. Our BellaGrande SLT (hot tub with built in TV and stereo), is a bit more elaborate, with major components on at least two sides of the spa. You can see many different examples of how our customers have located their portable hot tubs in our customer hot tub pictures section.

HOT TUB SPA INSTALLATION
The simplicity of installing a portable hot tub is often a surprise to many people. As mentioned, they are completely self-contained, so all they really need is to have the electrical connection brought to them. We realize many people like do-it-yourself projects, but we must recommend having a licensed electrician connect the 220 volt line to your new spa. That is unless you are purchasing a 110 volt spa with an attached GFCI cord that plugs into any typical home outlet…then you have a plug and plug and play hot tub. The factory takes several steps to ensure they are manufacturing the best quality hot tubs, including the fact that they fill every hot tub with water, and run it through several hours of quality control tests to ensure all operations function properly and there are no leaks. So once in place, connect the electrical line to your hot tub, use your garden hose to fill it with water, and then let it heat up and enjoy your hot water hydrotherapy.

Let Spas And Stuff help you create a personal paradise in your own backyard, at great discount prices. Please also see our beautiful, quality outdoor kitchens for your backyard, and our very popular indoor infrared saunas, including the Canadian red cedar models with the latest technology in carbon fiber heaters.