My birthday is coming up in October, and I’ve decided to finally get a hot tub for myself. (Of course the wife can use it too!)
I’m leaning towards the Hotsprings “Envoy”, but I’d like to hear what any of you might have on the subject.
Opinions please?
Good, bad, or otherwise?
Thanks in advance, Rod
FHB Podcast team chats about adding Larsen trusses to an existing stud-frame home with no additional sheathing.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
Remember you asked for opinions. Mine would be don't do it at all. I've installed hundreds, had a dozen friends who had one and have never known anyone who used theirs for more then a month or two. Around here used spas are dirt cheap or free for the taking. A good friend just sawed his into pieces with a Sawsall when he couldn't give it away.
Wow!Maybe I should take a trip to Florida for a bargain!I've got my heart set on it, and my lower back says it's the right thing to do.Whenever we go away, we have to stay at a place with a hot tub. It's a prerequisite.I have friends who use theirs almost every day/night during the winter.But thanks for your take on things.
Rod
Yeah, someone did a survey awhile back and determined that the typical spa is used three times.
That's not per year.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
>Yeah, someone did a survey awhile back and determined that the typical spa is >used three times.
>That's not per year.
That was a survey done by American Standard I believe, and it was refering to jacuzzi bathtubs, not hot tubs/spas. I suspect that survey was dead-on.
We use ours at least once a week, two or three times a week in the winter. I didn't really want one, didn't think I'd like it, but my DW wanted one so we got it. Turns out I love it, probably use it more than her.
We got our tub for free when a customer upgraded. After wiring, GFCI disconnect, new controller, heater, and pump. That free hot tub cost about a grand, but still much cheaper than new.
As far as brands, check out arctic spa, I don't know alot about hot tubs, but I like their design. Maybe other brands incorporate some of their features, I don't know.
They have a fiberglass base that will support the whole tub, so you can just sit it on the lawn if you want, no need for a pad. They insulate the floor and the surround so all the heat created by the motor stays in the tub, making it cheaper to run. Makes sense to me.
Whatever you get, you'll enjoy it.
We have a Hot Springs. It is about 12 years old and works like a champ. When we first got the unit (4 person) we verified manufacturers claim about not increasing electric bill very much. It was true. The only problem we had was some mice moved in at the heater and pump opening and died in there. Kind of a pain to clean out, but once done, no other problems.
Bruce
When we lived in Kansas I bought a used Hot Springs (believe it was the Classic , probably about 1980 model). Mine was the basic version of the one they used to show in their ads with the snow piled up around it and guaranteed not over $20/mo. We used it 2-4 times a week. Sat in it at 11 deg and hair iced up. Only complaint was it was working off the 110v gfci plug and I did not get it converted to high test so that you could run the pump and heat.
Currently have Jacuzzi model that is one of the competetitor models Jacuzzi bought up. Got it at HD for $1350 as a scratch and dent (couple of boards loose on skirt) back in late 98. We use it probably 1-2 times per week. When it gets really warm out frequency goes down. Usually turn temp down then, I keep it at 100 deg normally.
Mine is on the screened in portion of our deck and I can sit in it and see the highest point east of the Rockies. The Thermospa looks very inviting, I bet the one with the tv, towel warmers, waterfall, etc is not cheap.
I do not think I would base my buying on the trends set by people in Fla, they live in Fla, what can I say (:-). I think a lot of folks are confusing the McBath type Jacuzzi type tub for non -use factor. It is true about folks getting tired of them, often because of not keeping them maintained as well as life style changes.
Wife's cousin had a super one that had some minor problem and they could not get anyone to fix it. They said something about hauling it off but then said their son was going to take it. I did not check back and one day a carp working at their house had it on his truck.
You can get some great deals on parts on ebay if you are patient.
Bob
Go For It!! It's your Birthday ferXsakes!! Urr askin' THIS bunch o' Guys about something that involves you (and DW) getting Nekkid??!! If you're even On this website: You might consider building your own. I know Amazon's got books on the subject. A couple years ago, Way up north in the dead of winter, I had to deal w/ a difficult family/medical situation. Sneaking off every week or two to the good ole hippie WOOD-fired sauna/hot tub was a Saving Grace. When they had to re-Line their tub, after 20+ years, they used Spanish...(cedar?--IIRC). (And NO! I have NO idea where these I-talics came from..)
And if you DIY it--the money you save will also cover your DIY "SOW-na" -- as the Finns say. An UNBEATABLE 1-2 punch. Maybe they fought and lost 147 Wars w/ the Russians, but they definitely Are onto Something.....Plus>> they make the best Cell Phones in the world. Just Do it , Build it, Relax, Lose the Speedo, Splash around, and Snuggle up to your Favorite Woman in the World. (...and post a picture here----strictly of your handiwork, please)
In my Estimation--Most of us on this website have already celebrated more Birthdays than we're Yet to see..... So Don't worry about how many times you Won't Use it...make the most of the times that you DO.
So JUST DO IT NOW, ...and Enjoy.
Grover.........let me say..........I like your style!
Rod
We looked at Hot Springs and Jacuzzi, seemed equal quality. Went with Jacuzzi because the dealer is closer.
There is a Jacuzzi dealer in town, only a couple of years open, and have heard a few negative comments about them.Hotsprings dealer is about 20 minutes, a well established company, and have heard good things about them.So far, it's still Hotsprings.BTW, love Portland. Went to the Old House Trade Show on Fore St a couple times.Was born in Lincoln........yep..........stinking Lincoln!
Rod
My wife and I love Portland too. I haven't been to the Old House trade show yet. I keep hearing about it after it's over. Maybe next year.
Sounds like you won't go wrong with Hotspring. I actually wanted to get ours (at family's vacation rental property in western Maine) from Mainely Hot Tubs, the nation's biggest Hot Spring dealer, here in Scarborough. My brother convinced me to go with the Jacuzzi dealer in Bethel. So far so good, except for the same price as the Jacuzzi, the Hotspring came with a lid opener.
I have a ThermoSpa, Park Avenue Executive model, with all of the possible jets and pumps added. I't about four years old.
When we first bought it, we paid for the "thermo-ease" chemical system. It added almost $1500 to the price, but the claim is that it made the chemistry almost a non issue. Well, the chemistry was still quite an issue, but that's OK, the system failed twice in the first year (both times under warranty). When it failed a third time (no longer waranteed) we had it removed.
In addition, there is one adjustable jet that has been problematic. It is designed so that you can change its function by turning a ring which is around the opening. It's stuck, needing replaced for the second time now.
Having said all of those bad things, I'll also say that the pumps, motors, blowers, heater, tub, tubing, insulation, electronics, and all are still doing great. And it was not a bad idea, in my opinion, to get a spa that had Baldor motors, with lots of horsepower.
And my wife and I use ours frequently.
And here's another comment. Using the spa in cold weather is a real treat. But note that when you get out, it will be your swimsuit that gets cold the quickest. If you have none, and you towel dry quickly, then wrap in a bathrobe, life will be truly wonderful.
Want any info on how high my fence is?
Support our Troops. Bring them home. Now. And pray that at least some of the buildings in the green zone have flat roofs, with a stairway.
This is a good source for what to look for in a spa/hot tub. The guy has a few opinions about qaulity - he'd fit right in here! - and does sell them, but I found it very informative about materials, design, etc.
http://www.spaspecialist.com/
Thanks for the link, I'll be sure to check it out.
Rod
We have one that came from ebay. Hot tub headquarters, I think it was. Works great and we go in it all year round. Average 2-3 times a week. Its not for everybody but if the waters in and ready to go then its a quick change and in.
The indoor units are fine but the time involved to fill and empty put people off.