[Ptmckiou]

We ordered a Vita spa from spa kingdom last September. It should be here in May. We have always had a spa at other homes and really miss not having it yet in our new home in The Villages. We always get the 220 just because we don’t want any issues with the jets and heater. We have never noticed any rise in our electric bills with the spas in previous homes. Installing the 220 line was $1300. Spa was $16K….much pricier than years ago. Ugh! Extending our patio to accommodate it was even more money. Can’t wait to soak our joints! Note that code says the spa must be 5 feet or farther from any window.

[Joeint]

We were unsure about a hot tub, so we got an inflatable spa on amazon made by Intex. It cost about $1000 and runs off 120v. It does not have jets but bubbles around the circumference of the spa. We've had it for a year and like it. I don't know if I spent the $14K or more on a real spa would have made me $13K happier. Many times I enjoy just sitting in the hot water at 104 degrees.

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by Blackbird45

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.

Ours is quiet, this is a MAXX brand unit from Spa Kingdom. We have ours on the lanai very close to the sliders, and barely notice when the pumps come on and the sliders are open. Now if I am in the spa, the top is open and if I have the air jets on, the noise is greater. Send me a PM if you would like a demo.

[laboutj]

Originally Posted by mkjelenbaas

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

Why would they specifically need to ask T&D? Maybe they want an idea before having to deal with salespeople?

[Rodneysblue]

Originally Posted by Blackbird45

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.

:shoc ked:

[Sherry8bal]

We have had two in our 20 years down here with the newest purchased about 3 years ago. We are here year round, so we heat it year round. It's very efficient (electric) and is great any time of day or year to use it.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Robbie0723

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

Was you’re inside? I’m in Marion country so rules maybe different in hillbilly land…

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Was you’re inside? I’m in Marion country so rules maybe different in hillbilly land…

Marion County follows the Florida Building Codes also. If installing a new swimming pool, including above-ground, portable spa or hot tub, you are required by state law to get a permit.

"At the time of its adoption, Florida was third in unintentional drownings in the country and first in the nation for unintentional drownings among children age 4 or younger, and Marion went on to become one of 15 counties that accounted for 75 percent of the state's accidental drownings among toddlers between 2002 and 2004."

https://marioncountyfl-redesign.prod...13586892400000

Permits are a must for new pools, spas

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Robbie0723

Marion County follows the Florida Building Codes also. If installing a new swimming pool, including above-ground, portable spa or hot tub, you are required by state law to get a permit.

"At the time of its adoption, Florida was third in unintentional drownings in the country and first in the nation for unintentional drownings among children age 4 or younger, and Marion went on to become one of 15 counties that accounted for 75 percent of the state's accidental drownings among toddlers between 2002 and 2004."

https://marioncountyfl-redesign.prod...13586892400000

Permits are a must for new pools, spas

I’m going to call them Monday. All those requirements say pool. I called somebody and couple years ago and said portable plug and play permit not required. My house had 110 plug and play when I brought it and nowhere in documents was permit nor was it mentioned. That 110v hot tub broke and I got rid of it. I have yet replaced it. There been several threads on hot tubs about plug and play and permits.

[Spalumbos62]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

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.

I've had a few tubs before but not currently. At one point I was having trouble getting the water just right. Guy at store said stop messing with all the different chemicals and buy Chlor 56 and broadcast it over the water 5 mins bf you get in with jets running. The stuff is not expensive, last a very long time and we had perfect water. Js

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

I’m going to call them Monday. All those requirements say pool. I called somebody and couple years ago and said portable plug and play permit not required. My house had 110 plug and play when I brought it and nowhere in documents was permit nor was it mentioned. That 110v hot tub broke and I got rid of it. I have yet replaced it. There been several threads on hot tubs about plug and play and permits.

"If installing a new swimming pool, including above-ground, portable spa or hot tub, you are required by state law to get a permit."

There may be confusion due to not needing an building/electrical permit for "Plug and play."

Since 2000, the Florida safety requirements are by law the same for all SPA's.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Y'all have given me a lot of excellent insight and intel, and I appreciate the food for thought.

Thank you,

OP

[shut the front door]

I won't ever live without a hottub. I will say to beware of Spa Kingdom. I bought one from them 8 years ago. We used the electrician that they recommended. He never pulled permits and did such shoddy work that the Spa Kingdom employees that came to install the spa were almost electrocuted. The spa kingdom employees also laughed that we were out of code in 2 different areas (hottub too close to the pool and 1 foot from a window without tempered glass. They didn't care, just laughed it off.

[villagetinker]

I also got screwed when we had Spa Kingdom do the install, so iof you go this route tell them up front you want to see the permits or the deal is OFF, and pay by credit card.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe

Y'all have given me a lot of excellent insight and intel, and I appreciate the food for thought.

Thank you,

OP

We had one in Va used it for a few years and finally just stopped using it and had it removed some years ago.

Current house had one and when we converted our lanai to Florida room arranged to have it removed and gave it to some good friends.

In other words suggest you think long and hard about whether you will be using it enough to justify buying one.