Winter Tubbing…Can My Hot Tub Freeze up?
| December 5, 2011 | Posted by h20articles under Hot Tub Maintenance |
Winter tubbing is so much fun. Sitting in warm water with the snow falling all around you while listening to “Baby It’s Cold Outside…” while you’re enjoying your warm Baileys…ahhh….yep, who dreads winter when there’s a hot tub out back??
Although this is fun and certainly enjoyable, the question has come up, “Can my hot tub freeze up during the winter months?” The answer is yes….and no.
Most hot tubs are built for extreme cold weather. If you do not know, check online to make sure your hot tub is insulated well enough and with what materials. Also, some hot tubs are equipped with a freeze protection program or no-freeze setting or an auto heat mode to protect from freezing. If your hot tub is not equipped with either of these, then set you timer to cycle more often. In extreme cold, this may need to be set for 15 minutes every hour! Make sure your temperature is monitored often to make sure the heater is working otherwise the water can freeze. If you ever experience a power outage for hours at a time in cold weather, your tub could freeze. The use of a generator could come in handy here or just drain the tub if the outage is going to be for an extended period of time. Also make sure the water level is up high enough as many hot tubs automatically shuts the pump off if the water is too low then your hot tub could freeze.
So no, under normal circumstances, a hot tub can’t freeze in cold temperature but it still is possible with the right factors in place! Many people who live up north, operate their hot tub in -30 or -40C weather all the time!
If you wish to keep your energy costs down, which we all should, make sure your air jets are turned off when you are not in the tub as the jets pump cold water into the tub making it warm up the water more. Make sure your cover is in good shape and doesn’t need to be replaced. You may also purchase a floating thermal blanket for extra heat maintenance. They are inexpensive and also reduce chemical consumption! Make sure your remove snow from the cover as well as most are not able to handle the added weight from the snow.
Happy winter tubbing!
Recent Comments