When it comes to hot tubs and the internet, there is a tremendous amount of information and disinformation: facts and fake news; unbiased reviews and sponsored reviews. We’ll try and break things down for you to help you make not only a better-informed decision, but also a decision that saves you money. Since more and more hot tub manufacturers have been cutting costs and quality by moving their factories down into Mexico or even overseas, much cheaper components and building strategies have been implemented. This has led to increased consumer alerts about quality and longevity. There’s something to be said of the quality control and check-and-balance systems when something is proudly Made in the USA. Everyone should be aware that there is no such thing as 50% off, 80% off, or “if you buy today, we’ll take $10,000 off!” claims. A hot tub sold for $3,000 is not worth $12,0000, it is worth $3000. Hot tubs in this price range are constructed using lower grade, unprotected wood materials that will not hold shape for as many years as higher quality resin and steel structure hot tubs. Their insulation can be sub-par, partial…or even non-existent! Would you build a house in New England and not insulate it? What do you think is stronger – sub-standard wood such as 1”x2” framing (not even 2x4’s!), or the steel frame structure of a skyscraper? Foreign manufacturers will even attempt to reduce costs by cutting corners with insulation materials. With our cold New England winters, you need to make sure the hot tub you are purchasing is fully insulated. Proper insulation ensures that the plumbing is protected from freezing temperatures and that your wallet is protected from expensive energy bills. An improperly insulated hot tub paired with an inefficient and inexpensive electronic system can cost up to FOUR TIMES more to run each month than a higher quality hot tub which was proudly Made in the USA.
Another telltale sign of a cheaply built hot tub is the electronic control system. Electronics imported from overseas or made by proprietary manufacturers can be very expensive to repair, have questionable reliability, and be very difficult to get parts for…if you even can find a source for them. Many import hot tubs use a “one and done” approach to their controls, where you are forced to overhaul the entire control system if something as small as a cheap switch breaks. What is the quality of the insulation? Most importantly, don’t believe the claims in brochures and posters that your tub in New England will cost $8-12 per month, read the fine print for those claims. Most are with a 68 degree outside temperature, the jets on high speed for 30 minutes a week with the cover closed! It doesn’t take long for a cheap hot tub that costs $120-150 per month to operate to offset and become more expensive than a higher quality tub costing $30-50 per month to operate. Operating a hot tub in New England without the proper insulation would be like leaving your windows open in the winter! Ultimately, do your research as to not only where the hot tub and its components come from, but also how well the manufacturer assembles it and who represents, services and stands behind the hot tub. There are plenty of manufacturers that travel the country weekend to weekend promoting expos and also manufacturers that come to your home to “cut out the middle man”. These brands usually do this because they don’t have a local dealer to represent and support them, which can lead to headaches for you and your family in the event you need help. Finally, remember Mom’s advice, if it sounds too good to be true…
2 Comments
3/7/2023 04:42:48 pm
Great tip about how inexpensive equipment isn't necessarily the best option. My wife wants to get a cover that rolls automatically. We'll have to hire someone to do the installation.
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9/21/2023 03:24:45 am
Nice Blog! The information you have provided is incredibly detailed and insightful.
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