Hot Tub questions, anyone have one?
 

I want to know more about hot tubs, does anyone have any firsthand current experience with them in The Villages?

Electric or gas? If electric, 110 or 220? Are 110's powerful enough or just weak jets? Any other issues? Approximate energy usage (how much more per month to run)? Do you keep it on year round? Are you a snow-bird, if so do you "summarize" it? How often to treat/drain/clean? Would you put one in again?

The Mrs. and I had one in a pool home about 15 years ago and used it a lot. Haven't had one since, but are considering it.

Thanks!

We have one, a Maxx 751 from 2013, and it is great. this is a 240 volt unit, about 8' by8' 2 pumps for water, one for jets. Allow around $500 for the electrical supply. Also, for the 240 volt units there are 2 permits required, one for the electrical supply, and one for the actual hot tub. We found out after the fact, and this did cause problems this is a long story if you want the gory details send me a PM and we can talk on the phone.
I use this quite often, one word of caution do NOT use the typical plastic steps (2 steps high) get a nice set of heavy wooden steps, I just recently fell off the plastic steps, another long story. And finally, yes when this one dies, I will probably get another one.

I have had a hot tub for the past 30 years. After moving to The Villages, we installed a TuffSpa TT250 about 6 years ago. Take a look at TuffSpas - their patented cover is awesome... easily the best hot tub I've ever owned.

When we moved to our new home 3 years ago, we had the hot tub moved - no issues. We are here year round, and keep it running year round. We use it heavily during the colder months, but still use it for muscle soreness during the summer months. I keep it at 101 during winter, 98 during summer.

Nearly all hot tubs offer a 120v/240v option. The jets are the same with either 120v or 240v, but at 120v you can't run the heater and the jets at the same time. It also takes 120v a lot longer to bring the tub up to temp whenever you change the water. In Michigan, I really wanted 240v - here in FL 120v is fine - the hot tub doesn't drop temp fast enough to need to run heater and jets at the same time while you're in it, and when I change the water, it's good by evening.

My hot tub here is 120v... the cost to install a 240v service is far more than 120v, and requires more permits.

Another thing to look at is what you'll use for sanitizing the water. I always used to use bromine, but a number of recent clinical studies now show that long term effects of bromine result in hyperthyroidism. I've now switched over to a salt water generator (SWG), and it's been working extremely well!

Relative to the cost of the SPA, 220 is a small percentage more costly for faster heating and stronger pumps.

You do need two permits (Sumter County), one for the electrical and a second for pool safety. The electrician should take care of the first but SPA supplier said I had to do the pool safety permit.

Not hard, the people at the permit office were very helpful.

Wait time for new SPA's is 12-18 months.

Five years ago we got a Vita spa at Spa Kingdom for $8K and we got a 240V line put in for $1500. I enjoy using it about three times a week.

We are very pleased with it and we would buy one just like it again.

We have a Hotsprings spa. It has a salt water system similar to that of our pool. So we almost never need to add chlorine unless the salt cell dies.

I had an electrician run a 240V line. The spa has two main pumps plus a recirculating pump and the heater. Can't imagine trying to power that with 120.

I do weekly cleaning and chemicals. Change the water once a year unless the chemical balance is hard to maintain then I'll do a water change early.

IMO 110v plug and play hot tube best way to go, no permit's required small less water to fill. Can be plugged into any 110V outlet cause the safety cut off in cord. Draw back less future’s than 6 K plus ones (which now are probably 8k or more now.)

I’ve had both and IMO they will maybe last 5 years before they start having parts failure and that’s if you routinely do maintenance. Parts are not cheap for repairs. (cheaper it you can replace parts yourself).

Only way I would get 220V is if the house was already wired for one, but that me.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/2-Person...107304#overlay

I like this model if they ever become available again I like the lay back design.

Hmm, just did this and Sumter told me a pool safety permit was required for 120v SPA's. Covers/cover lock, grounding, disconnect, door entry handle height, distance from windows and lighting/outlets, etc. Not a big deal to get one if you install the SPA according to code.

Reference: Florida Building Code - Residential Chapter 45

A few suggestions, make sure the one you get is comfortable for you in the positions you intend to use it for oh, some people like lying down some people like sitting up, make sure it's deep enough for you if you're tall so that your shoulders definitely get into the water. The rule of thumb is no more than five Jets per 1 horsepower. 110 voltage is fine as there's no need to heat the water while in the tub. Try to get one also with an air blower has a create so much more forceful action. Look at where the Jets are a lot of people like foot Jets and back of lower legs also. Make sure literally you have outside steps but that you can step in and out of the tub easily and if there is any kind of grab bar. There is no need to get the biggest tub you can how to take longer for the water to heat up and it will cost you more monthly. I've had several brands and look carefully have the warranty and whether or not they charge you to come out it's time for the labor

Spas
 

Had one up north for years. Didn't think we used one here in the villages. But got one and used it just about every morning, even in the summer.

curious
 

I have been thinking about purchasing a hot tube.
What I need to know are they noisy.
If I buy one where I want to place it is clearly on my property but would be very close to my neighbor's leni.

Our house came with a built-in propane powered hot tub (they called it a spa). I was told T&D used the Bullfrog brand, but I don't see a label anywhere.
Having had the electric, always hot, kind of hot tub before I was dubious of the propane, heat it up and use it, approach, but we really love it. Plus, we can easily use it as a cold tub in the daytime, hot tub before bed.
It takes about 45 min in the winter to go from 60-ish water to 103 degrees. Much less time in the summer, but you do need to plan ahead a bit.
I have no idea how much they cost, but I'm sure it's more than the electric ones. One side benefit - it has given us a relatively cheap option to convert the kitchen stove to propane, as the spa heater is right outside the kitchen wall.

Absolutely correct. We have a Bullfrog 6 person hot tub/spa. Had electricians run 240V with proper permit and installers got the safety permit. Has to be a certain distance from house. We live in a CYV so that helped.
I only use mine about once a week. Little grand daughters (6 and 9) love it when they visit.
:welcome::clap2:

WRONGGG... If it causes a fire or some other catastrophe, insurance probably won't cover it and you may have to remove it or get all of the proper permits if you keep it.
:ohdear::ohdear:

What did they say when you went to T&D with your questions?