As the name suggests, hot tubs assure you a hot dip. After a long day, you may want to chill in your hot tub with your family or even have friends over for a party, and if in such tines you have a warm or lukewarm dip instead of a hot one, it might be not very pleasant. Hot tubs are most relaxing at a 100 to 102 degree Fahrenheit temperature. Now that being said, How Long Does it Take to Heat a Hot Tub?
In this article, we have answered that question and a few more about how you can heat your tub water quickly and the methods you can use to keep the water warm.
How Long Does it Take to Heat a Hot Tub?
Before you can begin the heating process, it helps to know a bit about the type of tubs out there. A standard six-person hot tub holds about 320 to 475 gallons of water. So, if you want to get comfortable in warm water, that’s a lot of water to heat. However, to maximize your relaxation time, you will need to heat the water as quickly as possible.
However, how long it will take the water in your hot tub to heat depends on various factors. But thankfully, all these factors are within your control.
Base Temperature
The time required for your tub water to heat up depends on your starting temperature. If you prefer to leave the tub running all the while, it’s your personal choice that will affect the time required to heat the hot tub water.
There is no right or wrong way to go about it, honestly. If you live in a milder climate and use your hot tub occasionally, you can switch off the spa equipment until you want to use it. However, this will result in a long time to heat the tub and reach the desired heat level.
To avoid this situation, you may choose to keep your tub running, though this will give you a headstart; reaching a temperature of 100 to 102 degrees will cost more in the long run, and your electricity bills will go up.
Efficient use of Energy
Thankfully, there are a few ways to improve your tub’s energy efficiency, help you to heat it faster, and reduce your overall cost. But for this, you will first require a premium quality insulation cover that will trap the heat inside the tub.
If you don’t have a cover and need to purchase one, opt for the lockable ones that feature a tapered edge. These type of covers keeps a lot of heat trapped within. If your existing cover has holes or is damaged in any way, get it changed right away.
Your landscaping also plays a significant role in determining the time required to heat your tub water. You can introduce a few tweaks in your landscaping to reduce to pull of heat. For instance, you can add trees/shrubs to the surroundings or use a windshield or enclosure to prevent the cool air from reaching the tub.
Besides, routine maintenance is essential to ensure the effectiveness of all the working parts.
Keeping the Heater On
As mentioned earlier, whether or not you should be keeping the heater on is a matter of your personal choice and depends on the type of environment you like. In case you plan to use your tub during the winter, it’s ideal to keep the heater running, preventing freeze and damage. If the heaters are left running, you can get in for a dip anytime you want without any waiting.
However, if you are located in a colder region, it’s best to keep the heater turned off and only use it when ready for a dip. Of course, you will need to plan a bit for this, but it does save you a lot of costs.
Why Does it Take So Long?
The time required to heat your tub water will depend significantly on the ambient temperature. In case the temperature around is freezing, it will take longer for the heater to act. Additionally, if your filter is dirty, your heater may seem to lag initially. Thus, it’s essential to clean them once a year at least.
A damaged fuse or tripped circuit can also cause the heater to function slowly or not at all. So, before you start the heater, it’s advisable to check your GFCI button to ensure all is good.
There might also be some problems with the temperature sensor or the heating element. All these issues can be managed through regular maintenance.
How To Heat Your Hot Tub Faster?
Thankfully there are ways using which you can heat your hot tub faster and more efficiently. Let’s consider the top ones.
Using a Cover
This is one of the quickest ways to ensure your tub heats up quickly. However, the cover should be secured appropriately and must cover the whole surface of the tub.
Most hot tub covers are insulated and designed to keep our debris and trap in heat. So, naturally, the heat will escape from the water surface without the cover, making your tub’s heater work harder to reach the ideal temperature.
Sealing the whole tub surface keeps the heat in, and thus your heater does not have to work as much to ensure an ambient temperature.
Thermal Spa Blanket
These are floating thermal sheets that are designed to sit on the surface of the water surface. These come in extremely handy during the winter months. Also, layering a thermal spa blanket underneath your tub cover will provide an additional level of protection, so less heat escapes the water surface.
Turn on the Jets
Turning on the jets before covering the hot tub accelerates the pace of heating. As the jet runs, the heated water is circulated and evenly distributed throughout the tub. So, with the jets are on, you are sure to get even heating ensuring zero prevalence of cold water pockets within the tub.
Use a Canopy Tent on the Tub
Using a canopy tent on your tub will not only protect you from weather damage, provide further protection, but it will also keep you away from prying eyes.
Even if you have a cover on your tub, having a canopy tent will prevent further heat loss from the tub while it’s heating. There are multiple tent canopies available online that you can consider. Once the heating is done, you can either take down the canopy or keep it on for added privacy.
Final Thought:
Now that you know how long does it take to heat a hot tub? As hot tub owners, you can take a few steps to reduce the time required for the tub to heat. Planting bushes or adding windscreens are the two most popular options you can consider. Additionally, it’s essential to monitor the health of the tub equipment to ensure all the working parts are in proper condition.
But no matter what steps you take, an average size tub takes nearly three to four hours to heat. So if you plan on getting a hot dip, it’s best to plan ahead.