Weather Map/Polar Vortex 2014
Some weather experts are predicting the return of the infamous polar vortex, which has hammered us with sustained cold and snow-pounding blizzards in seasons past. The northeast, in particular, may be in for some extreme winter weather come end-December or early January.
”Jigokudani hot spring in Nagano Japan 001″ by Yosemite
What does that mean for those of us who, like these Japanese snow monkeys (left), love being immersed in in our steamy hot tubs during winter?
How to Protect your Spa in Winter
We thought fellow hot tub owners might appreciate a few tips from Best Hot Tubs’ staff should the weather get fierce. We recommend keeping an eye on the weather reports.
Then take a few precautions to ensure your spa will be ready and waiting for you whatever winter throws at us.
1. The first thing
Especially during windy nor’easters, keep your hot tub cover tightly secured. The safety covers that come with our Bullfrog Spas do lock well into place. However, for an extra layer of safety, the hot tub cover can be completely locked down with this additional cover lock.
Hot Tub Cover Locks/(Photo: Bullfrog Spas)
It’s important to put on your hot tub cover whenever you’re not using it. An insulated cover reduces the energy needed to run your spa during winter by helping to keep the heat in. Also, because falling snow will change the water chemistry, using the cover reduces the amount of chemicals you’ll need.
Pristine Water
2. After Snow Storms: After it snows, clear a path to your hot tub — not just so you can use your spa — but so you can maintain it during freezing or snowy weather;
3. Protect Spa Pipes: To keep pipes from freezing, once a week check that the hot tub is running and make sure the water temp is at least above 90 degrees. (Note: In extreme cold temperatures, it is cheaper to maintain the temperature than letting it cool down and reheating it again.)
4. Spa Water Level: While checking its temperature and that it is running, also watch your spa’s water level. If the water gets too low, the pumps and heaters are affected by insufficient water, and this can contribute to freezing in spa’s plumbing lines;
5. Supply of Chemicals/Filters: If you enjoy using the hot tub regularly during cold weather/snow, when you first hear a storm is approaching, stock up on supplies of chemicals etc.;
6. Keeping Clean Water: It’s a challenge to change the water in the winter, so you’ll want to keep the water clean, therefore regularly check the water’s chemistry — that the pH and alkalinity are correct);
7. Spa Filters: It’s also important to clean your spa filters in cold weather to maintain clear water. In warmer weather, this is easy to do using a garden hose. However, in winter, when most of us have the outdoor water access shut off, you may have to clean the filter inside the house — in shower or in large sink — to do a thorough job.
8. Prolonging the Life of Your Cover: It’s not unusual for warmer temperatures to follow a heavy snow or icy weather. Don’t wait for the inevitable melting process, but, instead, brush the snow/ice off your hot tub before it melts. A cover can get waterlogged during melting, which will ruin the cover;
9. Closing Your Spa For Winter: You would think that closing your spa is the safest/easiest way to ensure spa pipes don’t freeze during winter, but often the damage to spas in cold weather is actually caused from improper draining. If not done thoroughly, water residue left after draining can cause damage — thereby frustrating the very reason you shut it down in the first place. So be sure to read your manual and take all the necessary steps.
Of course, you can always ask your local hot tub professionals, like Best Hot Tubs, to help you with any and all of this. If you have any questions regarding how to maintain your spa, contact any of our teams at our three showrooms (Windham, Farmingdale, Westbury, NY).
The key is to enjoy your spa no matter what the weather — when relaxing with family and friends, or just on your own.
Here’s one last photo that should tell you all you need to know. Who more than Santa knows how to enjoy life despite all the Arctic’s polar vortex can throw at him?
Santa Knows Best
Merry Christmas, everyone!
