What Should You Look For In A Portable Spa
Hot tubs for the home are more popular than ever today. Over the last decade, thousands of homeowners have invested in home spas. At one time, these were the sole province of celebrities and upper income families. But, today, the price has become so affordable that many middle class families have opted to have the installed.
Basically, when choosing a spa, you have a choice between two types. The in-ground ones and the portable ones. Of these two, mostly because of cost, homeowners are choosing to install portable spas.
If you can read instructions, most people will have little difficulty installing a portable spa themselves, if they choose to do so. They are easy because all of the major components are self contained.
As an example, take the issue of plumbing. With a portable spa or hot-tub, the plumbing has been pre-installed already. In addition, the electrical system is set up as well, and the filtration system has also been installed. Mostly, all the homeowner has to do is to snap or screw the various pieces together and plug it in. For many homeowners, this is a one weekend day project.
A portable spa has other advantages as well. For one, you have much more leeway as to where you can install it. It can be installed indoors or outside. Your basic constriction as to where you can place it is based on the size tub that you want. You can choose a small sized spa which holds only two people. Or you can settle on a larger hot tub which can hold up to six or eight.
One thing to remember is that the larger the spa you have, the more water it will require. And that, in turn, means that it will have to hold more weight. So, for example, a small hot tub will hold about one hundred gallons of water. While a bigger one may hold up to 600 gallons or more. This is particularly important if you're are installing the tub indoors as you have to ensure that the flooring on which you place it will hold the weight of the tub when filled with water.
Another thing that you have to take into consideration is the electrical requirements of the hot tub. A large number of spas can operate on a normal 120 volt plug-in outlet with no problem. Others, however, will need a 240 volt outlet. The basic difference between the two is that the 240 volt outlet will be able to generate more heat. It will heat the spa water faster and it will get it hotter. So keep this in mind when purchasing your unit.
If you are lucky enough to be near one of the larger hot tub showrooms, some will actually let you try out their floor units. If you live near such a place, this is great, as it gives you the best chance of getting one that fits your needs.
Basically, when choosing a spa, you have a choice between two types. The in-ground ones and the portable ones. Of these two, mostly because of cost, homeowners are choosing to install portable spas.
If you can read instructions, most people will have little difficulty installing a portable spa themselves, if they choose to do so. They are easy because all of the major components are self contained.
As an example, take the issue of plumbing. With a portable spa or hot-tub, the plumbing has been pre-installed already. In addition, the electrical system is set up as well, and the filtration system has also been installed. Mostly, all the homeowner has to do is to snap or screw the various pieces together and plug it in. For many homeowners, this is a one weekend day project.
A portable spa has other advantages as well. For one, you have much more leeway as to where you can install it. It can be installed indoors or outside. Your basic constriction as to where you can place it is based on the size tub that you want. You can choose a small sized spa which holds only two people. Or you can settle on a larger hot tub which can hold up to six or eight.
One thing to remember is that the larger the spa you have, the more water it will require. And that, in turn, means that it will have to hold more weight. So, for example, a small hot tub will hold about one hundred gallons of water. While a bigger one may hold up to 600 gallons or more. This is particularly important if you're are installing the tub indoors as you have to ensure that the flooring on which you place it will hold the weight of the tub when filled with water.
Another thing that you have to take into consideration is the electrical requirements of the hot tub. A large number of spas can operate on a normal 120 volt plug-in outlet with no problem. Others, however, will need a 240 volt outlet. The basic difference between the two is that the 240 volt outlet will be able to generate more heat. It will heat the spa water faster and it will get it hotter. So keep this in mind when purchasing your unit.
If you are lucky enough to be near one of the larger hot tub showrooms, some will actually let you try out their floor units. If you live near such a place, this is great, as it gives you the best chance of getting one that fits your needs.
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