Hot tubs can take anywhere from 3 to 8 hours to heat up. Your hot tub's warm-up time will depend on a number of factors, such as the temperature of the surrounding environment and whether you've been taking good care of your spa.
The chilly autumn weather is swiftly rolling in, and there's no better time for a relaxing soak in a bubbling hot tub. If you are planning to take refuge in the luxurious warmth of your very own hot tub this winter, make sure you look after it properly - regular hot tub maintenance will help to keep everything working efficiently!
Factors that affect hot tub warm-up time
The following variables will determine how quickly your hot tub warms up...
The power of your water heater
This is probably the single most important factor. The more powerful your hot tub heater, the less time it will need to get the water nice and warm for you.
The water's starting temperature
This might seem obvious, but cold water takes longer to warm up than water that's already lukewarm. If the starting water temperature is relatively high, your hot tub will reach optimal bathing temperature more quickly.
The temperature of the surrounding environment
This is also called 'ambient temperature' - i.e. how cold or warm the air around your tub is. Your spa will take longer to warm up if it's in a chilly environment or if there's a cold wind.
Insulation
Insulation helps your hot tub to retain heat. Try to identify all the places where heat could be lost, such as the cabinet seams and the hot tub's base. Insulating these areas will help the tub to heat up faster.
The size of your tub
The smaller the tub, the quicker it will heat up - simply because there will be less water to heat.
To avoid excessive wait times, try not to pick a hot tub that's larger than what you need. You don't need a huge ten-seater spa if you and your partner are the only people likely to use it.
How to heat up a hot tub faster
If your hot tub is taking too long to get warm and you want to speed up the heating process, you should try to reduce the cold and wind - here are some tips:
- Try to reduce your hot tub's exposure to the cold. Add some plants to act as a natural wind barrier, or install a windscreen around your spa.
- Maintain and regularly service your tub. This may seem boring, but it can make a huge difference to the efficiency of your tub's heating system. Always check that the jets are operating well, regularly maintain your hot tub pump, and clean and replace your tub's filters when necessary.
Download Our Handy Maintenance Guide
Want a hot tub of your own?
Here at Premier Hot Tubs, we understand that a hot tub is a big investment. Since many of our customers are making this purchase for the first time, we do our best make the entire process informative and fun.
We truly care about our customers and the service they receive. We hope this article has answered your questions about how long hot tubs take to heat up, but please don't hesitate to contact us if you need any further information or advice!
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