Three of the most important components of any spa, hot tub, or Jacuzzi are the heater, the cover, and the controls. Here’s a closer look at each:

Spa Heaters

While the ideal maximum temperature for a swimming pool is 78 to 82 degrees F., spa water is heated much higher—in some cases up to 104 degrees F.

Gas heaters are by far the fastest, warming the water in a matter of minutes. Among electric heaters, those that run on 110 volts heat water very slowly while those that run on 220 volts are comparatively quicker. However, electric heaters are far more expensive to operate than gas heaters in most regions of the country.

Spa Covers

Far from being an accessory, a cover provides safety, protection, and energy savings. Covers come in both rigid and flexible versions.

A cover is essential to preventing the accidental fall of a child, pet, or for that matter adult into a tub. Covers also keep out all wind-blown matter, preventing the debris from clogging the filter and pump. Finally, covers prevent heat from escaping, thereby lowering your energy bill.

Rigid covers, which most often are made from foam that has been covered in vinyl, are the best insulators. They come in thicknesses of 2 to 3 inches. The one that is right for you will depend on the location of your spa. While a thinner one is fine for indoors, get a thicker one for outdoors. Rigid covers can weigh 30 pounds or even more—generally the heavier the higher quality—but the security and insulation properties of a good cover compensate for their difficulty in handling.

If ease of handling is important, you can consider a flexible cover, but you should do so only if your spa is secured by fencing or some other means to prevent accidents. Some flexible covers have air pockets that offer a measure of insulation, and of course even a lightweight cover is better than none when it comes to keeping out dirt and leaves.

Spa Controls

Manual controls are ordinarily located right on the edge of the spa. They can be used to turn on the pump as well as the heater and the hydrojets, all with simple switches.

Increasingly, however, spas can be adjusted from afar. Wireless controls allow adjustment from any room in the home. Telephone connections make it possible to control the settings from virtually anywhere so you can arrive home to a spa that is heated, bubbling, and ready for use.

No matter how sophisticated the controls, however, all spas have a manual override switch so you can make adjustments while you’re in the spa.

Swimming Pools & Spas
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