Winter is here and there is no escaping it. Whilst the nights are long and the temperatures are low, it's still a great time to own a hot tub.
When you finish a long day at work and it’s dark and cold outside, what better way to relax and improve your mood than by stepping into your glorious, warm, bubbling hot tub?
We certainly like to keep our hot tubs running all year round, however, if you don’t like the idea of stepping out of your hot tub into the cold, or are concerned about the costs of running a hot tub during winter, you may be thinking about switching it off until the new year. Whatever your choice, we are here to help you care for your hot tub this winter.
If you can’t wait to make use of your hot tub this winter, there are certain things that we recommend doing to prepare your tub.
Change the water in your hot tub
Now is a good time to drain, clean and refill your hot tub before it gets too cold. The colder it gets, the more tricky and less enjoyable these steps will be. Take a look at our tips for draining and refilling your hot tub here.
Invest in a thermal blanket
If you haven’t already, we recommend purchasing a hot tub thermal blanket to help retain water heat, reduce energy consumption, reduce chemical consumption and reduce overall running costs during the coldest months.
Check water levels
When the temperatures drop, it’s vital that you keep a close eye on the water levels of your hot tub. Should the water level drop too low, your heating system and pump can be more liable to break down, leading to the risk of frozen water and costly damages.
Thoroughly check your hot tub cover
Make sure to thoroughly check your hot cover’s condition. For example, check to see that it is not bowing in the middle or loose at the corners as any gaps will allow heat to escape. Needless to say, any heat loss has a very negative effect on your energy bills.
If you feel that you won’t get much use out of your hot tub this winter, then you may consider shutting it down to save money on energy costs. However, whilst this is certainly an option, it’s essential that you take the right steps to protect it in time for winter.
Drain and clean your hot tub
If you are planning to turn off your hot tub for a few months, you will need to completely drain your tub and flush out the pipes and jet systems until all water is removed. Without warm water circulating through the system, the water is liable to freeze, expand and cause irreparable damage to the plumbing and components of your hot tub.
Once you are satisfied that your hot tub is completely drained, this provides an opportunity to thoroughly clean the shell of your tub, along with the cover. This helps remove any bacteria, as well as ensuring no bacteria grows whilst the tub is empty.
Replace filters
If you are planning on turning your hot tub off for winter, it’s a good time to remove and replace the filters. Take out the old filter, clean it and keep it safe and dry over winter.
If you are unsure about hot tub maintenance or need further information on caring for your spa over the winter, we are here to help you. You can browse our previous blog posts for extra information, call us on 0333 600 7008 or visit us in Cannock or Shrewsbury.
