It’s that time of year again. Days are getting shorter, leaves are changing colors, and weather is getting cooler. As cold weather approaches, there is one question on everyone’s mind – should I winterize my hot tub? The answer is yes AND no.
Now, we know what you’re thinking – that answer doesn’t make any sense. Oh, but it does! There are both pros and cons of winterizing your hot tub as well as not winterizing it.
For one, cold weather is the perfect time to take a nice, long soak in a home spa to warm you up and enjoy freshly fallen snow on the ground. On the opposite side of the coin, many people vacation to warmer places during the winter, so keeping your hot tub up and running wouldn’t make sense.
Let’s go through reasons to winterize and to not winterize your hot tub so that you can make the right choice.
To Winterize or Not to Winterize – That Is the Question
The process of winterizing a home spa is essentially preparing it for cold weather by checking chemical levels, flushing out the pipes, draining the water, and turning off the power. This ensures that no damage occurs when temperatures reach below freezing. Similar to sprinkler systems and internal piping in your home, extremely low temperatures can freeze the water in your hot tub system, and as water freezes, it expands, which can cause damage to internal components.
So, should you winterize your hot tub? Here are a few considerations to help you make the choice:
Are You Taking a Long Vacation?
Many individuals who live in colder climates decide to take months long vacations in the wintertime to enjoy some warmer weather and different scenery. If you plan on being away for an extended period, winterizing your hot tub is the smart decision. Since you won’t be around to monitor and maintain the spa, shutting it down properly will prevent any potential damage from occurring due to the low temperatures. In addition, closing your home spa for the winter will help you save on unnecessary energy costs.
Will You Use Your Hot Tub During the Winter?
Winter can be an extremely busy time of year. The Christmas and New Years holidays keep everyone busy with friends and family as well as work and school both pick up after the new year. Many times, people just don’t have the time for a soak in the spa. If this is you, and you don’t plan on using your home spa during the winter, your best option is to winterize it.
On the other hand, a luxurious soak in a warm spa could be just the thing you need to cast away those winter blues. There is nothing better than basking in the heat of a home spa on a cold winter night after all work and school is completed. Winter is arguably one of the best times to enjoy a hot tub as it offers a relaxing way to warm up and enjoy the beauty of freshly fallen snow. If you do plan on using your hot tub in the winter, then no, winterizing it is not for you.
Are You Concerned About Energy Costs?
Unfortunately, with winter typically comes higher energy costs due to holiday lights and heating bills. By keeping your hot tub in operation, you also have to cope with the energy costs of maintaining its heat despite the cooler temperatures attempting to freeze it.
For those concerned about their energy bill, it may be a good idea to “close” your hot tub throughout the winter and open it up again in the spring. However, if you decide that the luxury of a winter hot tub is worth the slightly higher cost, The Hot Tub Store in Rochester Hills has insulation covers and accessories to keep that glorious hot tub heat from escaping into the cold winter air.
Choose from Hot Tubs and Swim Spas by Master Spas
The spa professionals at The Hot Tub Store can provide expert guidance to help you make the most informed decision about getting the best use out of your luxury hot tub and safely enjoy it year-round.
Don’t own a hot tub but want to explore your options? Come visit our Rochester Hills hot tub store and browse a wide selection of premium hot tubs and swim spas by Master Spas. You can’t go wrong, and you’ll be more than pleased with your investment! Free Estimates and Financing available.