Hot Tub Winterizing

The air is getting colder, and in a few months, winter will be here again (but don’t worry, you’ll have your hot tub to keep you warm!). While hot tubbing in the winter is wonderful, it’s important to keep a few tips in mind, so Mother Nature doesn’t interfere with your fun. Firstly, if you prefer to retreat inside for the winter, and plan to drain your hot tub, it’s important to ensure that this process is done properly. Residual water left in the hot tub and pipes can freeze and cause severe damage to your hot tub, which will be expensive to repair come spring. If you plan on keeping your hot tub in use to keep the chill away throughout the winter, then you don’t have to worry about this problem. However, you should check your owner’s manual and ensure that the settings are properly chosen to avoid possible freezing or unnecessary energy costs. Using your hot tub jets in the winter will greatly increase energy costs, because they pull cold air into the water. Consider not using them in the winter, or at least ensure that they are off when the hot tub is not in use. Ensure you have a high-quality and well maintained hot tub cover. An old or poor-quality cover can lose you a great deal of money in energy costs, or could even collapse when covered with snow! Consider purchasing a “cover cap” to protect your cover from the elements, and extend its life-span. It is also important to think about hazards that snow and ice can cause in terms of entering and exiting your hot tub. This is especially important if children or seniors are using the hot tub. Ensure the area around your hot tub is regularly shovelled, and remove any dangerous ice build-up on paths or decks. If you have steps leading up to your hot tub, installing a hand rail is a sensible decision. A slip or fall could ruin your winter!