Question:
Anyone have any good/bad recommendations for hot tubs and/or
dealers in the area?
Answer:
We have our first pool/spa and I can assure you that they're now an absolute
necessity on our list of important things. Get a good spa/hot tub and get
lots of water and air circulation. Hedonism isn't a sin. I suggest that you also explore the in-ground combo variety. We never
had a pool or spa before and up until we began experimenting with what was
included in the house, I wouldn't have paid a plug nickel for them. Today,
I have a totally changed attitude and would spend good money to get them put
in. There are very few things that beat settling into the spa about 5:00p,
martini in hand, to soak for a bit while the ribs are cooking on the grill.
Our pool and spa adjoin one another and share the same filter/pump. Since
they adjoin, after using the spa, the pool's computer changes the valving
around and circulates the hot water from the spa out into the pool. It
isn't quite enough to maintain 84f in the pool each day, but the hot water
isn't "wasted" at least. It's a great pleasure to soak in the spa for 15
minutes or so, then just roll over the ledge into the pool for a cooling
swim. . . returning to the spa again. If you get computerized controls, consider Jandy. I've been told that it's
very good. We have an inside thermostat-like unit that controls the pool
pump, spa pump, heater, lights, automated cleaning and even the motorized
valves. If you don't get a Jandy controller, consider using X-10 to set up
a time schedule to have the hot tub/spa pre heated.
We had guests this week from MO, and the wife ran a pool and spa supply
store for 20 years. Many of my comments were observations she made. I was
also thinking about giving our son a hot tub, and she said that the most
important thing was to have one with a separate skirt to give more access.
She also said it should be on a poured base and be plumbed for water so you
didn't have to rely on a garden hose.
