**** Get the inexpensive plug-n-play hot tub on Amazon that I mention in the video - it's an AWESOME starter hot tub that will last years and won't break the bank - amzn.to/38bqBTp
I got an aquarest premium 500 for under $3000 at wayfair. It has 29 stainless adjustable jets, plug and play can convert to 220 with electrician. Has LED WATERFALL, cup holders, came with 2.0 horsepower motor with ionizer. I am very happy. I also have had 2 inflatable tubs I loved. Both $500. Very reliable. One from wayfair, my favorite from QVC. Round, 6 person 300 gallon. I had a jacuzzi for 20 yrs.
I've been a hot tub service tech for 13 years and my advice is don't buy a tub from a place with the name of the tub in the name of the store i.e. Arctic Spas, Jacuzzi hot tubs, Sundance spa's etc... What you'll end up with is a tub that's proprietary, meaning you can only get parts from them. So something that should cost $200 will probably cost $700 because you don't have a choice. You're welcome!
@@firerock1611 lol ok bud. Because everyone wants to pay 700 bucks for a keypad that should be 300. Or a pump that should be 350 and they sell for 800. Please enlighten me as to how I'm wrong.
One thing you could cover is make sure the hot tub is able to be repaired. Some hot tubs are closed systems and are not repairable. Learned that the hard way.
I bought a 5x5 plug & play Life Smart Hot Tub on sale at HD for $2.5K with lights and waterfall feature (reg. price $4.5K), free shipping. I just set to lowest temp after I use it and increase it up one day before I use it, which is about 4 days interval. Winterize it if I don't intend to use it on winter.
This was a fantastic tutorial for me as I embark on buying my first hot tub. The only thing I would have liked to see was a section on delivery and installation. Do you have a separate video on that process and things to ask for or avoid?
In my opinion, if you are buying a used hot tub, one that needs to be moved, get a hot spring. I have worked in the pool and spa Industry my whole life. I deliver and remove hot tubs all the time. And I have never removed an old tub that still worked. From 6-20 years old. There was always issues or always falling apart. But hot spring makes a great product. Every hot spring that I have removed. Still worked, and wasn't falling apart. This summer a customer purchased a new hot spring spa. There's was 25+ years old. It still worked! Didn't fall apart when we moved it. Incredible. Never have I seen this in another brand.
I turned my old one into a great little gold fish pond ..of course no chemicals ..and it was way cheaper than having someone put one in...it was free ..kids love it I even cover it in winter..
I am currently looking at Artesian Elite series for my next house. I currently have a Sundance Marin Spa for over 20 years with minor repairs over the years. A few pumps and probably 4 or 5 covers. It was a great investment and worth the extra money
Thank you so much for this wonderful and informative video! We are picking up a very old used hot tub that still works well with a few small issues this week, and I have no idea what I'm doing. But the hot tub is free! Electrical/Circuit Breaker work is going to be at friend prices too. The stars just seem aligned on this one, I'm hoping it all works out. This has been so helpful, and presented wonderfully. Thank you!
Love these videos, as a homeowner who inherited a hot tub, I’ve been craving information on what to do with it. Would you consider making a video on the pros and cons to getting hot tub from Home Depot, Wayfair, Costco/Sam’s Club etc., as opposed to a spa dealer? Especially coming from someone without the resources or know-how to install a hot tub themselves. The prices are great, but how much extra costs go into professional installation? Thanks, keep it up!
@@HotTubOwnerHQ , hi, Foxie dog said she needs a "Spa" tub fur her owner as she can't help her with her arthritis, as Foxie has arthritis as well.🐕🐕maybe Foxie can use the spa tub too befur it's hot. 🤗 Okay, in December we'll be buying one for the 2022 new Year. A entry level, but will be inside the garage next to one of garage doors to open some and wired into the panel. PS, Foxie dog says, she wants the spa tub that is inground that's on your channel with all the bubble's!
Question: You mention level spot, "Completely Level" I have a 6 inch pour with rough in wiring already completed for mine. Its arriving next month (Yeah!!). It was poured next to an existing pour. It runs into my foundation and needed a 1 inch drop for every 8 feet. Its definitely not level. I was told buy Aspen that it would not be a problem. The cost includes delivery and installation. So in some cases level or completely level is not an "always" statement. Great videos!! Thanks.
When you mentioned brands of hot tubs, I posted on a local area group on Facebook and told them I was looking and asked who they recommended. I made a tic mark for every brand mentioned and checked out the ones with the most marks. In my area it was Aspen Spas by a landslide. Glad I went there. Their top of the line tub was less expensive than the others' lower end tubs. With the pandemic it took 7 months to get it, which they told me so I wasn't upset. It came in June though so didn't get too much of a chance to check it out because we quickly went into 90 degree days. Looking forward to cooler temps so I can hopefully enjoy it more.
@@DavidJones-pn6jm I got the Quattro. It's only for 3 people but it's big enough for what I need. I believe I paid less than 9000 and that was with all the bells and whistles
I have a Hot Springs Jetsetter that has been a complete nightmare. It is leaking and I was quoted $2,500 for a repair. The sprayed in foam has to be manually cut out and the leak located. I am now looking at an Arctic Spa. No spraying in insulation and easy to repair if needed.
Well done. I'm actually looking to upgrade to a plug and play hardside tub. I've had a couple of inflatable tubs over the last 5 years (Lay Z Spa) and they have done a great job for very little money spent but the maintenance on them and the lack of hydrojets is reaching the point where I am looking to upgrade to something a bit better.
I am constantly seeing people giving tubs away for free or very little. Most circumstances are they moved into the house, it was there when they got their, they don't want it. Can you make a video like "things to know/inspect when considering a used hot tub"? I mean aside from the obvious like cracks or wire torn up. Where do we find manufacturing info/specs to see how old it is, and or google if that company is still in business, and more specifically if we can still get parts for that model. Etc.
I have done a video on that ! Here's the link - ua-cam.com/video/JhgxGR46cMo/v-deo.html Also, on my original website, I have a blog post which shows you step by step how I bought a used one and fixed it up - newmiddleclassdad.com/hot-tub-refurbishment/
I really enjoy your youtube cĥannel your vidèos are great! ĺ bought a hot tub for my cotta-should the pump be turned off when no one is using it? We want to use it all year round. And it's a lot colder in manitoba generally then it is in minnesota. Gerry P. Manitoba,Canada
Thank you, thank you thank you! I watched mostly all your hot tub videos and I finally am taking good care of my spa. I have supplies to last me a lifetime and that’s a good thing. I Purchased everything you recommended including the lift. Did I say thank you? Thank you!
Great video. I am getting a Costco one in a couple of weeks, so I am very excited about. It is a plug and play that can be converted to 220-240 volts. I am planning to make a couple of videos since they are not very common in UA-cam. Fingers crossed.
Hi there, I have a general question for you: we are looking for a 2-person hot tub that we can fill and use for 3 days and then empty out to the garden. So no chemicals. no filter? Anyway, I don't see any discussion about this idea, is this even possible? TIA! Great video, btw
Hi Mary-Jeanine. Sorry for my delay. I would definitely get an inflatable hot tub for what you're describing. If you haven't seen it already, I do a complete unboxing and set up on the Intex inflatable hot tub I bought, so check out that video - ua-cam.com/video/hjIwGez2-5Y/v-deo.html
I wish someone would make a comparison between type of hot tub lids. Specifically we are looking at the Ecospa models because of the hard shell cover. The Ecospa doesn't have the fancy hot tubs we might consider, but to us the hard shell lid is so important. It is important because of our backyard dogs who might chew on a vinyl or fabric cover. What are the opinions and/or covers to stay away from generally. We live in TN.
I’ll add that right now, in 2021, almost all hot tub manufacturers are behind in production so most prices aren’t negotiable anymore. Some companies are a full year out for a waiting list.
I have master spa - what do u put in after each use . and how much.. is di chlor or oxidize chemicals? and what is the best weekly chemical /maintenance schedule
Hi Rich I just dip a test strip in and see what (if any) needs to be adjusted. Then I make minor adjustments so it's ready for the next time. Those would be to alkalinity, pH, and sanitizer. Then about once a week, I add about 1/4 cup of chlorine shock.
Do you have a video about replacement of old inground jacuzzi? We are considering pulling the fiberglass tub digging out a larger hole, leveling fillings with pea gravel for draining and leaving room for access and repair. We were thinking of buying a portable to drop in to make access for my elderly parents easier. Any suggestions for what type of tub would work best?
Hey Jeff! First of all, thank you for the valuable information. I'm seriously looking for a hot tub. I don't have a big budget, anyway my question is, have you heard of Home and Garden Spas? Are they reliable? Thank you
Hot Springs is all marketing.......which is the one thing they do quite well. The brand is actually "owned" by a corporate conglomerate named MASCO---so who knows who's pulling the strings with respect to product quality/warranty service/personnel, etc. When my Hot Springs control board went bad, I noticed it was a relay on the board that appeared to be 'burnt-up'. The rest of the board looked OK, so (being pretty good with a soldering iron) I ordered a replacement relay from the relay maker and soldered it in---FIXED--and at a fraction of the price. But: I read the relay maker's instructions for that relay, " not for use in outdoor or wet environments". And that is the kind of engineering mentality or intentional built-in obsolesence you'll get with Hot Springs (and presumably the other spas marketed by MASCO). Also: Hot Springs will not sell you the service manual for your tub, just the owner's manual. It's a detailed .pdf--you'll have to have your dealer drop it on a flashdrive for you "under the table" if you are the type who'd like to service it yourself.
We just stayed in a rental house at the beach and the house had a Costco purchased hot tub that was 110v. The owner of the rental house told me it can’t heat and run the pumps at the same time and it would struggle to keep the water warm enough to use in the winter here in New Jersey. My Wife and I are planning on buying a hot tub in the very near future. We are pretty much set on getting the Master Spas TS 8.2. We saw it at a local spa expo and we liked it a lot. We weren’t comfortable buying from the expo but that’s the one we will probably buy. Thanks for all the helpful videos.
Thanks! That is generally true of any 110v hot tub (portable or inflatable). In warmer climates like where I live (Texas) it's not a big deal, but could be somewhere that gets really cold in winter. Master Spas is what mine is and I love it! It was here when we bought the house, but I bet it's 10 years old. I've done a few things to it, but it's still in very good shape.
I don't know if prices have increased like crazy since this video or I got ripped off, or maybe my hottub is nicer than I thought? I got a twilight 7.2 from master spa for $12k. This was Dec 30 2021, the sales guy said I'd be paying upwards of $20k if not for the sale. I think this included delivery fees and such as well. Edit:typo
Love your videos. Looking into spas now for the first time. What a minefield. Any thoughts on Master TS 8.2? Is it customary for the higher end rubs to come with cover and steps included? Was thinking salt water, second guessing that after reading comments on Reddit. Thanks for your help.
Hi. I do think the cover would be included. Steps could be extra, but everything is negotiable, especially if you are willing to walk away. I've never owned a saltwater hot tub. I might consider it, but only if it didn't add to the cost significantly.
Good video many great tips. The electrical side of a tub is not overly complicated but can get pricey for the materials alone. I spent about 6 to 700 doing all the 220 electrical all on my own. A local electrician would have been about triple that. Another thing if your buying a used tub, biggest tip is make sure you see it running and test it before you buy it. I wouldn't recommend buying anything that you couldn't see in action. Most are absolute basketcases and unless you have a good knowledge of repair they are just not worth it
Great points, Scott! When I bought my used one it was already disconnected and I realized later that was intentional. I still saved money buying it and fixing it up, but it was a lot more work than I originally thought it would be.
i assume the opposite with when the best time to buy...most hottubs are probably being used during winter time, so wouldn't this be the worst time to buy...rather buy during summer months...my quess, is the best time to buy...great info btw...
Thank you, great advice, we are looking at the brand Artesian. Just looked at Jacuzzi today. They are pricey, but out of the 5 we looked at, they appear to be the best (Jacuzzi). But the markup is too great for us.
Hi, love your videos..how much space/clearance do you recommend to have around the sides of your hot tub? We are placing one near the fence but want to make sure it’s not too close. Thanks
Mine is fenced (lattice for partial privacy) on 2 sides, and the fence is about 6" away. It was here when we bought the house, but I can tell you having lived here 2 years now, that I wish I could walk all the way around it (to pick up things that get knocked over and to read my filters more easily). So if I'm you and I have a choice, I'd leave 2' all the way around it.
Hi Jeff.. great videos! I'm looking to buy a house that has a built it covered hot tub. I've never owned a hot tub before. It's empty of water right now. What's the very first thing you would do to it? I need to make a list of steps involved with starting/revitalizing a used hot tub thanks!
Hi D Sorry for my delay as you've probably already dealt with it. I would fill it up, and then do a biofilm clean out since we have no idea how well the previous owners maintained it. But if you didn't do that, don't sweat it. But I would do that when you change the water the next time (I do mine every time I change my water, which is about every 3 months). If you haven't seen my video on biofilm cleanouts, here's the link - ua-cam.com/video/8VxcrdIHtQo/v-deo.html
This pandemic has changed everything. Just bought a new master spa. The prices has gone up. Bought a twilight 8.25 August 28, 2020 for $10,500. Unfortunately delivery in April.
Yes. I'm finding that to be true of a great many things like that that aren't Necessities. RVs, above ground swimming pools, and hot tubs all seem to be that way. People are buying more of that kind of stuff than ever before and production is way down due to factories either shutting down earlier in the year or laying people off.
I went to your website, “ which is great by the way” I was wanting a 110v plug & play hot tub, But on your website you say they need a GFCI outlet. We have one in our house, but not outside. I wish I could ask questions on your website.
Hi Jeff! Great job and thanks! I live in Dallas TX . Where is a good hot tub store to shop? We are not handy and 55 years old (I always dreamt of a hot tub). We own a patio home and would want complete service-we are not DIY types ( though I can handle the proper care advice you gave)
Hi Justin. I hadn't heard of them before. Looking into them just now they are the same company as Jacuzzi & Sundance (which are the same company). Most likely they were a small company that got bought by Rexnord-Zurn Holdings, Inc. who own Jacuzzi/Sundance. Looks like they have a B- grade with the Better Business Bureau, but no reviews there. There have been 2 complaints, both from 2018, both of which are a little scary in terms of the company's ability to stand behind their products (www.bbb.org/us/ca/carlsbad/profile/hot-tub-dealers/new-dimension-one-spas-inc-1126-8000174/complaints). They got bought by the Jacuzzi company in 2013, so these issues happened well after that, and both complaints remain unanswered by the company 2 years later (which is not a good sign). I do feel like Jacuzzi/Sundance overall make good products, so I feel good about them from that standpoint. Assuming you have a local dealer in your area that you can walk into and talk to a person if you have an issue, I wouldn't be too hesitant to buy one if you can get a good price. Given those 2 complaints though, I would not buy one if I didn't have a trusted dealer in my city. Hope that helps! Thanks Jeff
I'll be purchasing a hot tub in the near future. I have well water, I'm curious what effect that will have on the maintenance and upkeep. Great channel, lots of useful info, I'll certainly be clicking the like and subscribe.
@@tonykari5124 I was discouraged from buying one with the current state of affairs, due to COVID affecting supplies of parts etc making them harder to get and more expensive. Not sure if this is true or not, but it makes sense.
Thanks, and I understand the frustrations with the current supply/demand situation. After a recent conversation about that with Master Spas, I would encourage you to look at them if you haven't already. That's also the brand of my hot tub (which came with the house when I bought it) and for a 10-year-old hot tub, it's held up really well. Well water will likely be very high in calcium, and other minerals. That can lead to scale buildup on the shell, but also in the equipment and pipes and can increase your maintenance costs. So you'll likely want to use these 2 products from Amazon by Leisure Time - amzn.to/32phOf2
any tips on how to stop my chlorine level from going so high easily? I literally only put 1 chlorine tablet in my dispenser and put it on the lowest setting possible, every time I check just a day after my chlorine levels are high. The only thing that lowers the level is keeping no tablets inside my dispenser for about 2 days
We just bought our 1st home 4 mos ago and are looking at Hot Tubs, and we have a Local shop that had some nice hot tubs for 3-4 k , we were NOT impressed with the sales people or customer service here but again local... we visited Family Leisure in Nashvillle the other day and were 1) impressed with the Hot tubs and Knowledge of the people, however they were almost all much more Expensive but were Higher end hot tubs with better warranties etc.. the one we liked was 10k which ordinarily we could not afford (were planning on paying cash) , but they finance for up to 10 years (15% int but can pay off early with no penalty) ... we are pretty torn on knowing what to do any suggestions or recommendations?
I love that fence. Ive been looking for a style of fence which will not block my waterfront view in my backyard. Where can I get info on that style of fencing? I would call it "chicken wire" wooden fence? Btw, great job on your review. Very thurough. You covered a lot of questions I and many others looking for a hot tub have asked ourselves.
Hi Tony Thanks for being here! I don't have any direct experience with Bullfrog, but they have 0 complaints with the Better Business Bureau, which is always a good sign as most companies, even really good ones, have at least a few. I also like that Bullfrog doesn't frame their tubs with wood (no rot) and I like that their plumbing systems have a lot fewer pipes and places to later potentially leak. I am working on an article on Bullfrog for my website, so look for that soon - hottubownerhq.com/
Hi Lisa What I do is set the mode to either economy or sleep mode (yours should have at least 1 of those if not both). They tend to lower the temp about 10-20 degrees below your set point. Now if you live somewhere beastly hot like I do (central Texas) then the temp drop may only be between 5-10 degrees, but it still makes it nice. To actually turn the heat off, you'd need to disconnect your heater which I probably wouldn't do unless you're an electrician. I do have a video that goes into greater detail on the sleep/economy modes - ua-cam.com/video/Ac3BqDwEy4A/v-deo.html
I bought a Jacuzzi J-370 in 2003 that retailed for around $9,500 at that time. Paid $6,500 for it as I was considering becoming a Jacuzzi dealer so I was able to pick one up for essentially wholesale price + $800. It's worked VERY well for 20 years now but we are selling our home and will be buying another within the next month or 2 once we are in our new home as we are leaving this one behind for this homes next residents. The same tub today retails for about $17K but they can be bought for around $13,500. Most others of lower quality are between $7K and $11K so unless your are buying a used one, not going to be in this price range listed in the notes above. I figure the 20 year old J-370 we are leaving behind is probably worth about $5K today
I would think turning the air jets down during the heating up process would make it heat quicker. The pump is still circulating but you don't have all that air going through the water which would have a cooling effect. Have you tried it each way for comparison?
Thanks for the helpful video. You mention not turning down the temp to save money. Is that still the case if you have peak rates? Here in CA the peak time is 4pm-9pm and the electric rates are pretty outrageous, maybe 3X of off-peak. Would you still say don't turn it off during this time?
Is $3K a fair price for a 4 year old Dream Maker 3500 Cabana Suite 4 person 35 jets Ozone 2x3 HP pumps. it has LED lighting, Bluetooth, and umbrella. All seem to be in good working order. They paid $5,600 for in Feb 2018. Or should I try to get them down to say , $2- 2,500 ish? Thanks, Chuck
Do you have an opinion on Aqua Living Spa Wholesaler? I bought a high-end Dr. Wellness G-10K Spa but had some problems with it and was wondering if they are reputable and if this is a good way to buy?
I'm not overly familiar with them, but they do have an A= rating with the BBB, so while not foolproof, that would indicate customer service is important to them. Right now, of course, the big question is how long will it take for you to receive it as many manufacturers are months behind due to high demand and COVID-related delays on their manufacturing end.
If you didn't fill it up with water yet, you probably don't need to do anything other than just keep the power off and the lid on. But if you wanted to be extra safe, you could fill it up and power it on. But that would involve treating the water. You could also add antifreeze to the water, but you'll want to drain it and flush it before filling back up to use later.
Hi Charles. I'm not overly familiar with them, but I see they have a B+ rating with the BBB, with a 1-star customer review rating (11 reviews) and 30 complaints in the past 3 years. That gives me pause in recommending them, but I do see a lot of the complaints are people who ordered new hot tubs in 2020 and the C19 delays most manufacturer's experienced have delayed delivery. So if your dealer has one on hand, that wouldn't be a concern. If they have to order it, I wouldn't expect delivery until well into 2021, and most of the complaints were about being given wrong delivery info and significant delays beyond that they were told.
The next thing he's wrong about is 120/240 convertible hot tubs. It won't save you money on electricity and it won't make the hot tub more powerful because the pumps in a 'convertible' hot tub are 120v only. When you convert one of those hot tubs from 120 to 240 you're only changing the primary wiring which only changes the heaters power. A heater will take any voltage you feed it and will draw more amperage at the higher voltage which will make the hot tub heat up from a fresh fill faster. The pumps in those types of hot tubs are dedicated 120v pumps and that won't change if you convert the primary incoming power from 120 to 240. Also, most of the time (it varies by manufacturer) if you convert from 120 to 240 you have to either change wiring on the circuit board or at least change a dip switch on the board to tell it what the incoming voltage is. If you don't make sure of that you can fry your circuit board. Usually most consumers don't want to (and shouldn't) mess with the circuit board.
**** Get the inexpensive plug-n-play hot tub on Amazon that I mention in the video - it's an AWESOME starter hot tub that will last years and won't break the bank - amzn.to/38bqBTp
Great video! I have learned so much... thank you!!!!
This one is currently unavailable. Any other starter hot tub suggestions?
Hi i just got my hot tub arrive and i dont want to use it until summer come do you need to winterize it
I got an aquarest premium 500 for under $3000 at wayfair. It has 29 stainless adjustable jets, plug and play can convert to 220 with electrician. Has LED WATERFALL, cup holders, came with 2.0 horsepower motor with ionizer. I am very happy. I also have had 2 inflatable tubs I loved. Both $500. Very reliable. One from wayfair, my favorite from QVC. Round, 6 person 300 gallon. I had a jacuzzi for 20 yrs.
Annnnnd, it's gone. It's all gone.
I've been a hot tub service tech for 13 years and my advice is don't buy a tub from a place with the name of the tub in the name of the store i.e. Arctic Spas, Jacuzzi hot tubs, Sundance spa's etc... What you'll end up with is a tub that's proprietary, meaning you can only get parts from them. So something that should cost $200 will probably cost $700 because you don't have a choice. You're welcome!
What brand would you recommend?
Doesn't that eliminate all hot tubs? 😂
thank you. I am looking for a one-two person unit, not inflatable. Are those types of units still available?
13 years and you learned nothing ..
@@firerock1611 lol ok bud. Because everyone wants to pay 700 bucks for a keypad that should be 300. Or a pump that should be 350 and they sell for 800. Please enlighten me as to how I'm wrong.
One thing you could cover is make sure the hot tub is able to be repaired. Some hot tubs are closed systems and are not repairable. Learned that the hard way.
I bought a 5x5 plug & play Life Smart Hot Tub on sale at HD for $2.5K with lights and waterfall feature (reg. price $4.5K), free shipping. I just set to lowest temp after I use it and increase it up one day before I use it, which is about 4 days interval. Winterize it if I don't intend to use it on winter.
This was a fantastic tutorial for me as I embark on buying my first hot tub. The only thing I would have liked to see was a section on delivery and installation. Do you have a separate video on that process and things to ask for or avoid?
In my opinion, if you are buying a used hot tub, one that needs to be moved, get a hot spring. I have worked in the pool and spa Industry my whole life. I deliver and remove hot tubs all the time. And I have never removed an old tub that still worked. From 6-20 years old. There was always issues or always falling apart. But hot spring makes a great product. Every hot spring that I have removed. Still worked, and wasn't falling apart.
This summer a customer purchased a new hot spring spa. There's was 25+ years old. It still worked! Didn't fall apart when we moved it. Incredible. Never have I seen this in another brand.
Very helpful for this first-time hot tub shopper, age 75. Thank you.!
Be careful!
High blood pressure!
I turned my old one into a great little gold fish pond ..of course no chemicals ..and it was way cheaper than having someone put one in...it was free ..kids love it I even cover it in winter..
Haha! That's awesome!
I am currently looking at Artesian Elite series for my next house. I currently have a Sundance Marin Spa for over 20 years with minor repairs over the years. A few pumps and probably 4 or 5 covers. It was a great investment and worth the extra money
Thank you so much for this wonderful and informative video! We are picking up a very old used hot tub that still works well with a few small issues this week, and I have no idea what I'm doing. But the hot tub is free! Electrical/Circuit Breaker work is going to be at friend prices too. The stars just seem aligned on this one, I'm hoping it all works out. This has been so helpful, and presented wonderfully. Thank you!
Hey Jeff, you did an amazing thorough job explaining everything. Thanks for making this video. It answered a lot of questions. You're the best.
I'm just starting to shop and this video was very VERY helpful. Thanks so much, you're a good guy!
Love these videos, as a homeowner who inherited a hot tub, I’ve been craving information on what to do with it. Would you consider making a video on the pros and cons to getting hot tub from
Home Depot, Wayfair, Costco/Sam’s Club etc., as opposed to a spa dealer? Especially coming from someone without the resources or know-how to install a hot tub themselves. The prices are great, but how much extra costs go into professional installation? Thanks, keep it up!
That's a great idea! I'm filming today and if I can think of what to say so I don't sound dumb, I'll do that one today!
get a nordic tub
What a great video, very informative and down to the point. Also the presenter comes across a really nice guy.
Thanks! I am a nice guy (I think?) Glad you enjoyed it!
@@HotTubOwnerHQ , hi, Foxie dog said she needs a "Spa" tub fur her owner as she can't help her with her arthritis, as Foxie has arthritis as well.🐕🐕maybe Foxie can use the spa tub too befur it's hot. 🤗 Okay, in December we'll be buying one for the 2022 new Year. A entry level, but will be inside the garage next to one of garage doors to open some and wired into the panel. PS, Foxie dog says, she wants the spa tub that is inground that's on your channel with all the bubble's!
Question: You mention level spot, "Completely Level" I have a 6 inch pour with rough in wiring already completed for mine. Its arriving next month (Yeah!!). It was poured next to an existing pour. It runs into my foundation and needed a 1 inch drop for every 8 feet. Its definitely not level. I was told buy Aspen that it would not be a problem. The cost includes delivery and installation. So in some cases level or completely level is not an "always" statement. Great videos!! Thanks.
When you mentioned brands of hot tubs, I posted on a local area group on Facebook and told them I was looking and asked who they recommended. I made a tic mark for every brand mentioned and checked out the ones with the most marks. In my area it was Aspen Spas by a landslide. Glad I went there. Their top of the line tub was less expensive than the others' lower end tubs. With the pandemic it took 7 months to get it, which they told me so I wasn't upset. It came in June though so didn't get too much of a chance to check it out because we quickly went into 90 degree days. Looking forward to cooler temps so I can hopefully enjoy it more.
Just wondering what model you got and price? We just looked at Aspen at a dealer in poplar bluff. Thanks
@@DavidJones-pn6jm I got the Quattro. It's only for 3 people but it's big enough for what I need. I believe I paid less than 9000 and that was with all the bells and whistles
I have a Hot Springs Jetsetter that has been a complete nightmare. It is leaking and I was quoted $2,500 for a repair. The sprayed in foam has to be manually cut out and the leak located. I am now looking at an Arctic Spa. No spraying in insulation and easy to repair if needed.
Well done. I'm actually looking to upgrade to a plug and play hardside tub. I've had a couple of inflatable tubs over the last 5 years (Lay Z Spa) and they have done a great job for very little money spent but the maintenance on them and the lack of hydrojets is reaching the point where I am looking to upgrade to something a bit better.
Great information for a first time buyer. My only other previous tub came with the purchase of a house, so this info was very helpful.
I am constantly seeing people giving tubs away for free or very little. Most circumstances are they moved into the house, it was there when they got their, they don't want it. Can you make a video like "things to know/inspect when considering a used hot tub"? I mean aside from the obvious like cracks or wire torn up. Where do we find manufacturing info/specs to see how old it is, and or google if that company is still in business, and more specifically if we can still get parts for that model. Etc.
I have done a video on that ! Here's the link - ua-cam.com/video/JhgxGR46cMo/v-deo.html
Also, on my original website, I have a blog post which shows you step by step how I bought a used one and fixed it up - newmiddleclassdad.com/hot-tub-refurbishment/
I really enjoy your youtube cĥannel your vidèos are great! ĺ bought
a hot tub for my cotta-should the pump be turned off when no one is using it? We want to use it all year round. And it's a lot colder in manitoba generally then it is in minnesota.
Gerry P.
Manitoba,Canada
Thank you, thank you thank you! I watched mostly all your hot tub videos and I finally am taking good care of my spa. I have supplies to last me a lifetime and that’s a good thing. I Purchased everything you recommended including the lift. Did I say thank you? Thank you!
Thanks for this great video! Any other recommendations for an entry-level hot tub on Amazon?
Lay z spa vegas
Awesome, awesome video. So many great questions answered for me. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Great video, I love the way you explain things.
Very informative, thank you. I just bought my first house, and would love to have a hot tub. This is very helpful info.
You answered everything I needed, wow 🤩 awesome channel!!!!!
Glad it was helpful!
Great video. I am getting a Costco one in a couple of weeks, so I am very excited about. It is a plug and play that can be converted to 220-240 volts. I am planning to make a couple of videos since they are not very common in UA-cam. Fingers crossed.
Cool! Share the link if you put up some videos.
Thanks
Jeff
Can you tell us what your hydro(electric) bill was after install? Have required any service? If so how did that go?
Thank you for the great information and your great personality!
Great non-biased video. Thank you for the help
THANK YOU for making this video!!!
You are so welcome!
Thank you, Jeff. We are wanting to buy, and this was very helpful.
You did a fantastic job answering my top questions. Very well thought out video. Thank you!
Most informative video. Specially for a first time buyer.
Hi there, I have a general question for you: we are looking for a 2-person hot tub that we can fill and use for 3 days and then empty out to the garden. So no chemicals. no filter? Anyway, I don't see any discussion about this idea, is this even possible? TIA! Great video, btw
Hi Mary-Jeanine. Sorry for my delay. I would definitely get an inflatable hot tub for what you're describing. If you haven't seen it already, I do a complete unboxing and set up on the Intex inflatable hot tub I bought, so check out that video - ua-cam.com/video/hjIwGez2-5Y/v-deo.html
Great video, thanks. We just bought our first hot tub. We are getting a pad poured and had to move some fencing. It will be here in about a week!
I wish someone would make a comparison between type of hot tub lids. Specifically we are looking at the Ecospa models because of the hard shell cover. The Ecospa doesn't have the fancy hot tubs we might consider, but to us the hard shell lid is so important. It is important because of our backyard dogs who might chew on a vinyl or fabric cover. What are the opinions and/or covers to stay away from generally. We live in TN.
I’ll add that right now, in 2021, almost all hot tub manufacturers are behind in production so most prices aren’t negotiable anymore. Some companies are a full year out for a waiting list.
I have master spa - what do u put in after each use . and how much.. is di chlor or oxidize chemicals? and what is the best weekly chemical /maintenance schedule
Hi Rich
I just dip a test strip in and see what (if any) needs to be adjusted. Then I make minor adjustments so it's ready for the next time. Those would be to alkalinity, pH, and sanitizer.
Then about once a week, I add about 1/4 cup of chlorine shock.
Very engaging video. You covered the important questions for all new hot tub buyers like me.
Do you have a video about replacement of old inground jacuzzi? We are considering pulling the fiberglass tub digging out a larger hole, leveling fillings with pea gravel for draining and leaving room for access and repair. We were thinking of buying a portable to drop in to make access for my elderly parents easier. Any suggestions for what type of tub would work best?
Hey Jeff! First of all, thank you for the valuable information. I'm seriously looking for a hot tub. I don't have a big budget, anyway my question is, have you heard of Home and Garden Spas? Are they reliable? Thank you
Thanks for the information, trying to buy my first hot tub
Hot Springs is all marketing.......which is the one thing they do quite well. The brand is actually "owned" by a corporate conglomerate named MASCO---so who knows who's pulling the strings with respect to product quality/warranty service/personnel, etc. When my Hot Springs control board went bad, I noticed it was a relay on the board that appeared to be 'burnt-up'. The rest of the board looked OK, so (being pretty good with a soldering iron) I ordered a replacement relay from the relay maker and soldered it in---FIXED--and at a fraction of the price. But: I read the relay maker's instructions for that relay, " not for use in outdoor or wet environments". And that is the kind of engineering mentality or intentional built-in obsolesence you'll get with Hot Springs (and presumably the other spas marketed by MASCO).
Also: Hot Springs will not sell you the service manual for your tub, just the owner's manual. It's a detailed .pdf--you'll have to have your dealer drop it on a flashdrive for you "under the table" if you are the type who'd like to service it yourself.
Great video and alot of useful info. Thanks for posting
Thanks for the information this is really helpful.
We just stayed in a rental house at the beach and the house had a Costco purchased hot tub that was 110v. The owner of the rental house told me it can’t heat and run the pumps at the same time and it would struggle to keep the water warm enough to use in the winter here in New Jersey. My Wife and I are planning on buying a hot tub in the very near future. We are pretty much set on getting the Master Spas
TS 8.2. We saw it at a local spa expo and we liked it a lot. We weren’t comfortable buying from the expo but that’s the one we will probably buy. Thanks for all the helpful videos.
Thanks! That is generally true of any 110v hot tub (portable or inflatable). In warmer climates like where I live (Texas) it's not a big deal, but could be somewhere that gets really cold in winter.
Master Spas is what mine is and I love it! It was here when we bought the house, but I bet it's 10 years old. I've done a few things to it, but it's still in very good shape.
Can you please update your Amazon plug n play hot tub the link says it's no longer available.
Thank you for the great info.
I don't know if prices have increased like crazy since this video or I got ripped off, or maybe my hottub is nicer than I thought?
I got a twilight 7.2 from master spa for $12k. This was Dec 30 2021, the sales guy said I'd be paying upwards of $20k if not for the sale. I think this included delivery fees and such as well.
Edit:typo
Love your videos. Looking into spas now for the first time. What a minefield. Any thoughts on Master TS 8.2? Is it customary for the higher end rubs to come with cover and steps included? Was thinking salt water, second guessing that after reading comments on Reddit. Thanks for your help.
Hi. I do think the cover would be included. Steps could be extra, but everything is negotiable, especially if you are willing to walk away. I've never owned a saltwater hot tub. I might consider it, but only if it didn't add to the cost significantly.
Good video many great tips.
The electrical side of a tub is not overly complicated but can get pricey for the materials alone. I spent about 6 to 700 doing all the 220 electrical all on my own. A local electrician would have been about triple that. Another thing if your buying a used tub, biggest tip is make sure you see it running and test it before you buy it. I wouldn't recommend buying anything that you couldn't see in action. Most are absolute basketcases and unless you have a good knowledge of repair they are just not worth it
Great points, Scott! When I bought my used one it was already disconnected and I realized later that was intentional.
I still saved money buying it and fixing it up, but it was a lot more work than I originally thought it would be.
i assume the opposite with when the best time to buy...most hottubs are probably being used during winter time, so wouldn't this be the worst time to buy...rather buy during summer months...my quess, is the best time to buy...great info btw...
Very informative! Thank you for doing this.
Thank you, great advice, we are looking at the brand Artesian. Just looked at Jacuzzi today. They are pricey, but out of the 5 we looked at, they appear to be the best (Jacuzzi). But the markup is too great for us.
Great video helped me a lot before buying a hot tub thank you
Excellent video, very well-done presentation! Thank you!
Hi, love your videos..how much space/clearance do you recommend to have around the sides of your hot tub? We are placing one near the fence but want to make sure it’s not too close. Thanks
Mine is fenced (lattice for partial privacy) on 2 sides, and the fence is about 6" away. It was here when we bought the house, but I can tell you having lived here 2 years now, that I wish I could walk all the way around it (to pick up things that get knocked over and to read my filters more easily).
So if I'm you and I have a choice, I'd leave 2' all the way around it.
Fantastic presentation!!!
Hi Jeff.. great videos! I'm looking to buy a house that has a built it covered hot tub. I've never owned a hot tub before. It's empty of water right now. What's the very first thing you would do to it? I need to make a list of steps involved with starting/revitalizing a used hot tub thanks!
Hi D
Sorry for my delay as you've probably already dealt with it. I would fill it up, and then do a biofilm clean out since we have no idea how well the previous owners maintained it. But if you didn't do that, don't sweat it. But I would do that when you change the water the next time (I do mine every time I change my water, which is about every 3 months). If you haven't seen my video on biofilm cleanouts, here's the link - ua-cam.com/video/8VxcrdIHtQo/v-deo.html
thanks for all this info. very helpful
This pandemic has changed everything. Just bought a new master spa. The prices has gone up. Bought a twilight 8.25 August 28, 2020 for $10,500. Unfortunately delivery in April.
Yes. I'm finding that to be true of a great many things like that that aren't Necessities. RVs, above ground swimming pools, and hot tubs all seem to be that way. People are buying more of that kind of stuff than ever before and production is way down due to factories either shutting down earlier in the year or laying people off.
Great information, thank you for sharing
Excellent review! Thank you
I went to your website, “ which is great by the way” I was wanting a 110v plug & play hot tub, But on your website you say they need a GFCI outlet. We have one in our house, but not outside. I wish I could ask questions on your website.
I’m looking into buying a hot tube . What tube do u recommend
Thanks for this video!
Hi Jeff! Great job and thanks! I live in Dallas TX . Where is a good hot tub store to shop? We are not handy and 55 years old (I always dreamt of a hot tub). We own a patio home and would want complete service-we are not DIY types ( though I can handle the proper care advice you gave)
Where did you end up buying from?
Thinking about a hot tub. Your videos have been very informative. Do you have any knowledge about the dimension 1 spa?
Hi Justin. I hadn't heard of them before. Looking into them just now they are the same company as Jacuzzi & Sundance (which are the same company). Most likely they were a small company that got bought by Rexnord-Zurn Holdings, Inc. who own Jacuzzi/Sundance.
Looks like they have a B- grade with the Better Business Bureau, but no reviews there. There have been 2 complaints, both from 2018, both of which are a little scary in terms of the company's ability to stand behind their products (www.bbb.org/us/ca/carlsbad/profile/hot-tub-dealers/new-dimension-one-spas-inc-1126-8000174/complaints).
They got bought by the Jacuzzi company in 2013, so these issues happened well after that, and both complaints remain unanswered by the company 2 years later (which is not a good sign).
I do feel like Jacuzzi/Sundance overall make good products, so I feel good about them from that standpoint.
Assuming you have a local dealer in your area that you can walk into and talk to a person if you have an issue, I wouldn't be too hesitant to buy one if you can get a good price.
Given those 2 complaints though, I would not buy one if I didn't have a trusted dealer in my city.
Hope that helps!
Thanks
Jeff
Very informative and helpful
I'll be purchasing a hot tub in the near future. I have well water, I'm curious what effect that will have on the maintenance and upkeep. Great channel, lots of useful info, I'll certainly be clicking the like and subscribe.
How'd that working out ? Is the well water working?
@@tonykari5124 I was discouraged from buying one with the current state of affairs, due to COVID affecting supplies of parts etc making them harder to get and more expensive. Not sure if this is true or not, but it makes sense.
Thanks, and I understand the frustrations with the current supply/demand situation.
After a recent conversation about that with Master Spas, I would encourage you to look at them if you haven't already. That's also the brand of my hot tub (which came with the house when I bought it) and for a 10-year-old hot tub, it's held up really well.
Well water will likely be very high in calcium, and other minerals. That can lead to scale buildup on the shell, but also in the equipment and pipes and can increase your maintenance costs.
So you'll likely want to use these 2 products from Amazon by Leisure Time - amzn.to/32phOf2
Did you get your hot tub yet? 👀
any tips on how to stop my chlorine level from going so high easily? I literally only put 1 chlorine tablet in my dispenser and put it on the lowest setting possible, every time I check just a day after my chlorine levels are high. The only thing that lowers the level is keeping no tablets inside my dispenser for about 2 days
Tnx for all this valueable Info!
Thank you for such useful information🇿🇦
Is it just me or is the cover not fitting perfectly bothersome? lol
Great job. Looking to buy new, this was very informative t.y
We just bought our 1st home 4 mos ago and are looking at Hot Tubs, and we have a Local shop that had some nice hot tubs for 3-4 k , we were NOT impressed with the sales people or customer service here but again local... we visited Family Leisure in Nashvillle the other day and were 1) impressed with the Hot tubs and Knowledge of the people, however they were almost all much more Expensive but were Higher end hot tubs with better warranties etc.. the one we liked was 10k which ordinarily we could not afford (were planning on paying cash) , but they finance for up to 10 years (15% int but can pay off early with no penalty) ... we are pretty torn on knowing what to do any suggestions or recommendations?
Too much money. Get one that costs 5k or less. You'll be much happier. I've found nice ones for 3 to 4 thousand.
What about an ozone system? Is it worth adding that onto your purchase?
I love that fence. Ive been looking for a style of fence which will not block my waterfront view in my backyard. Where can I get info on that style of fencing? I would call it "chicken wire" wooden fence? Btw, great job on your review. Very thurough. You covered a lot of questions I and many others looking for a hot tub have asked ourselves.
Very well made video.
Thank you for great information.
What do u think about bullfrog hot tubs
Hi Tony
Thanks for being here! I don't have any direct experience with Bullfrog, but they have 0 complaints with the Better Business Bureau, which is always a good sign as most companies, even really good ones, have at least a few.
I also like that Bullfrog doesn't frame their tubs with wood (no rot) and I like that their plumbing systems have a lot fewer pipes and places to later potentially leak.
I am working on an article on Bullfrog for my website, so look for that soon - hottubownerhq.com/
Anyone else see a Jim Gaffigan resemblance?? Lol.
Great informative video!!👍😁👍
Haha! I do like that guy! Thanks!
Can you turn off the heat in the summer?
Hi Lisa
What I do is set the mode to either economy or sleep mode (yours should have at least 1 of those if not both). They tend to lower the temp about 10-20 degrees below your set point. Now if you live somewhere beastly hot like I do (central Texas) then the temp drop may only be between 5-10 degrees, but it still makes it nice.
To actually turn the heat off, you'd need to disconnect your heater which I probably wouldn't do unless you're an electrician.
I do have a video that goes into greater detail on the sleep/economy modes - ua-cam.com/video/Ac3BqDwEy4A/v-deo.html
I bought a Jacuzzi J-370 in 2003 that retailed for around $9,500 at that time. Paid $6,500 for it as I was considering becoming a Jacuzzi dealer so I was able to pick one up for essentially wholesale price + $800. It's worked VERY well for 20 years now but we are selling our home and will be buying another within the next month or 2 once we are in our new home as we are leaving this one behind for this homes next residents. The same tub today retails for about $17K but they can be bought for around $13,500. Most others of lower quality are between $7K and $11K so unless your are buying a used one, not going to be in this price range listed in the notes above. I figure the 20 year old J-370 we are leaving behind is probably worth about $5K today
I would think turning the air jets down during the heating up process would make it heat quicker. The pump is still circulating but you don't have all that air going through the water which would have a cooling effect. Have you tried it each way for comparison?
Only inflatable hot tubs use air jets most normal hot tubs use water jets so they aren't pulling any outside air
Then, where do the bubbles come from?
Thanks for the helpful video. You mention not turning down the temp to save money. Is that still the case if you have peak rates? Here in CA the peak time is 4pm-9pm and the electric rates are pretty outrageous, maybe 3X of off-peak. Would you still say don't turn it off during this time?
Most hot tubs have a programming feature so you can have it do the cleaning cycle earlier in the day.
Is $3K a fair price for a 4 year old Dream Maker 3500 Cabana Suite 4 person 35 jets Ozone 2x3 HP pumps. it has LED lighting, Bluetooth, and umbrella. All seem to be in good working order. They paid $5,600 for in Feb 2018. Or should I try to get them down to say , $2- 2,500 ish? Thanks,
Chuck
Do you have an opinion on Aqua Living Spa Wholesaler? I bought a high-end Dr. Wellness G-10K Spa but had some problems with it and was wondering if they are reputable and if this is a good way to buy?
I'm not overly familiar with them, but they do have an A= rating with the BBB, so while not foolproof, that would indicate customer service is important to them. Right now, of course, the big question is how long will it take for you to receive it as many manufacturers are months behind due to high demand and COVID-related delays on their manufacturing end.
Hi i just got my hot tub arrive and i dont want to use it until summer come do you need to winterize it
If you didn't fill it up with water yet, you probably don't need to do anything other than just keep the power off and the lid on. But if you wanted to be extra safe, you could fill it up and power it on. But that would involve treating the water. You could also add antifreeze to the water, but you'll want to drain it and flush it before filling back up to use later.
Very informative!
A lot to know, thanks.
Awesome, thank you!
Great, very informative!! Thanks!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
What do you think of Artesian Spas?
I love the in ground "hot tub" thet comes on at the change of every topic....
best indoor hot spa? for big bathroom?
that transition sound effect killed me by the end of the video
Sorry! I may have over-done it. I don't do that in most videos.
It’s insanely annoying
People will complain about anything.
What are your thoughts on Thermospa? They appear to have the best warranty from what I have found so far.
Hi Charles. I'm not overly familiar with them, but I see they have a B+ rating with the BBB, with a 1-star customer review rating (11 reviews) and 30 complaints in the past 3 years.
That gives me pause in recommending them, but I do see a lot of the complaints are people who ordered new hot tubs in 2020 and the C19 delays most manufacturer's experienced have delayed delivery.
So if your dealer has one on hand, that wouldn't be a concern. If they have to order it, I wouldn't expect delivery until well into 2021, and most of the complaints were about being given wrong delivery info and significant delays beyond that they were told.
The next thing he's wrong about is 120/240 convertible hot tubs. It won't save you money on electricity and it won't make the hot tub more powerful because the pumps in a 'convertible' hot tub are 120v only. When you convert one of those hot tubs from 120 to 240 you're only changing the primary wiring which only changes the heaters power. A heater will take any voltage you feed it and will draw more amperage at the higher voltage which will make the hot tub heat up from a fresh fill faster. The pumps in those types of hot tubs are dedicated 120v pumps and that won't change if you convert the primary incoming power from 120 to 240. Also, most of the time (it varies by manufacturer) if you convert from 120 to 240 you have to either change wiring on the circuit board or at least change a dip switch on the board to tell it what the incoming voltage is. If you don't make sure of that you can fry your circuit board. Usually most consumers don't want to (and shouldn't) mess with the circuit board.
U can buy a GFCI adapter that does the same as a GFCI outlet