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BEDFORDSHIRE HOT TUB

Help & Advice

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BEDFORDSHIRE HOT TUBS

Installation & Preparation 

Before installing a hot tub, there are 3 main considerations:

  • A level solid base for it to sit on

  • An electrical supply

  • A hose pipe

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With regards to the base and water supply, we will cover these in our site survey to make sure everything is perfect for your new hot tub.

Depending on the hot tub you purchase you may need additional electrical work to create a 32amp supply or greater.

Hot tubs are heavy, which is why we have special equipment such as spa dolly’s and trailers to help us move the hot tub safely into place. The hot tub is transported on its side to get it into position.

 

We do a site survey to ensure we can get the hot tub where you would like it but we will also advise if a HIAB or crane is needed, and will make arrangements with our subcontracted companies to assist us.

32 & 40 AMP electrical requirements

For a 32AMP hot tub, 6mm² 3-core SWA cable is needed and a 10mm² 3-core SWA cable is perfectly suitable for a 40AMP Hot Tub.

 

An IP65 45AMP Rotary Isolator Switch is also recommended so that the hot tub can be isolated outdoors in an emergency or for service work. This is simply a rotary on/off switch but should be sited more than 2 metres away from the hot tub so that bathers cannot be in the hot tub whilst touching the switch.

 

The electrician should fit a suitable weather proof block connector to the end of the tail from the isolator, the hot tub supply can then be directly hard wired into the weatherproof block connector inside the hot tub. Waterproof gland packs should be used to prevent ingress of water on all electrical connections (2 at the isolation switch). Ensure that all earth cables are clearly colour coded with green/yellow insulating tape or earth sleeve.

Electrical requirements for a hot tub

The electrical installation must comply with BS:7671 – “Requirements for Electrical Installations IET Wiring Regulations”, particularly concerning the following specifications:

  1. The hot tub must be hard wired on its own fused spur back to your household consumer unit, not sharing a supply with any other appliances

  2. The hot tub should be protected by a sufficiently rated MCB (mains circuit breaker) and should cover the maximum amperage pull of the Spa plus 25% to allow for brake torque (i.e. the extra rush of current when pumps are first started). Therefore, a hot tub that has a maximum current draw of 20 amps should be fitted with a 25AMP MCB

  3. The hot tub should be protected against earth faults by an RCD (Residual Current Device). This is a trip switch which prevents the possibility of an electric shock from damaged or waterlogged cables and connections. A suitable rated 30mA RCD is recommended

  4. Outdoor cabling should be protected from damage by either laying protective ducting (pc pipe) below ground or by using Steel Wired Armoured (SWA) cable. Your electrician will calculate the size of cable required depending on the loading and the distance from the mains supply

BEDFORDSHIRE HOT TUBS

Myths about hot tubs

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  • CHLORINE CAUSES STINGING EYES
    Chlorine itself does not cause your eyes to sting when you’re in the hot tub. Incorrect pH level can create either an over-acidic or alkali water stinging your eyes. Bacteria from other bathers, which is not being killed by the chlorine, can cause eyes to sting. This suggests that poor sanitation and low chlorine levels are causing the stinging.
  • HOT TUBS ARE BETTER IN SUMMER
    Of course, everyone has their own opinion, once you have your own hot tub you will experience the amazing feeling of enjoying your garden all year; regardless of snow, wind or rain. It’s all down to personal preference, but you can guarantee use of your hot tub for 12 months of the year and ignore the damp English weather!
  • THE MORE THE JETS THE BETTER
    It’s not the number of jets that matter, it is the way in which the jets distribute the water. When a salesperson talks to you about the number of jets for example 100-150 jets, you may initially think “Wow”, however when you look into the hot tub and see there is only 1 pump for 100 jets in one hot tub as well as 1 pump for a hot tub with 40 jets you’ll soon realise that power is just dispersed over a large number of jet rather than suitable targeted to key muscle areas. Always remember “quality, not quantity”. The Jacuzzi® branded hot tubs have patented PowerPro™ Jets which use a low pressure, high volume system to give your muscles a precision massage which is specially targeted to key muscles groups. It is the exclusive technologies and innovative design beneath the water and inside the shell that set unprecedented levels or enjoyment.
  • I NEED SOME PLUMBING FOR MY HOT TUB
    All our hot tubs (unless part of the Professional range) have their complete equipment built into their cabinet and shell. All you need is a garden hose pipe and zero external plumbing. To drain your hot tub, you have 2 main options. The first is simply to use the built-in gravity drain which is located at the bottom of the hot tub or behind the paneling. Alternatively, you can empty it using a Submersible Pump.
  • I NEED TO EMPTY MY HOT TUB AFTER EVERY USE
    All our hot tubs have a complete filtration system, to ensure the water is continually filtered (depending on the filtration settings). You need to ensure you always have some form of sanitation in your hot tub (such as Chlorine) to prevent the growth of bacteria. Water is a living entity and will eventually become saturated with the chemicals and bodily fluids added to the water so make sure you change it a minimum of 4 times a year.
  • I NEED TO TURN OFF MY HOT TUB WHEN NOT IN USE
    The filtration cycles on our hot tubs keep the water fresh and have such low running costs due to their insulation and ability to maintain their temperature. Turning your hot tub off will mean your water will not be cleaned and your temperature will drop, resulting in the hot tub needing to work harder to get up to the desired temperature and increase your running costs.
  • A SELF CLEANING HOT TUB IS THE BEST ON THE MARKET
    A self-cleaning hot tub is basically a marketing gimmick. Ask the salesperson to define exactly what this means and how it differs from other brands. Jacuzzi® hot tubs have a patented ClearRay™ Technology system which uses a UV bulb to kill 99.9% of the bacteria in your water. Other hot tub brands may use an Ozonator which does a similar thing but 'all' hot tubs are self-cleaning. As with any hot tub, you will still need to use a sanitiser (such as chlorine) and spend the same time maintaining it such as hosing down your filters every week and wiping any potential scum marks off the shell of your hot tub. There are many different choices available for hot tub maintenance and cleaning so look into what is the best for your lifestyle and requirements.
  • FULLY FOAMED HOT TUB CABINETS ARE THE BEST FOR INSULATION
    We do not believe this is the case. Heat rises which is why the majority of heat loss in a hot tub is through the cover. With larger hot tubs it is better to have a cavity to allow warm air to be continually circulated. Also, imagine the future of your hot tub, you may need to replace some internal parts such as a pump or even repair an internal leak. Yourself or an engineer would have to cut away all that foam insulation to access the required part, once its fixed you will never get that insulation back. Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs use a combination of various insulation techniques which means you can expect to pay on average just £1 a day based on standard usage. Jacuzzi® has created the special Trifusion™ shell, that is a tri-layer acrylic, vinylester vapour barrier, and resin composite combined together, making the hot tub shell that guarantees both energy saving and solidity of structure. In addition to 3-layer insulation, Jacuzzi® has also added SmartSeal™. Ideal for cold climates, this system also reduces noise and prevents the formation of mold and moisture. With SmartSeal™ you save approximately 25% on your bills when compared to other hot tubs.
  • PAYING A HIGH PRICE MEANS YOU GET BETTER QUALITY
    In the UK most hot tub dealers sell around 50-100 hot tubs a year and smaller dealers may sell 30-50, therefore they will look to maximise the sale price. Larger stores will often be able to give you a better price as they are often the sole dealer for a particular brand of hot tub and therefore sell more at lower prices.
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