Whirlpools, Jacuzzis, Spas, and Hot Tubs

Overview:

Did you know that whirlpools, Jacuzzis, spas, and hot tubs are all basically the same thing? There is a small distinctions regarding each term. A Jacuzzi is a brand name, and a whirlpool is both a Jacuzzi and a spa as long as it gives the effect of propelled, spinning water.  The term hot tub usually refers to a wood encased heated pool that may or may not have jets. Once a contoured acrylic interior is added the hot tub becomes a spa. When talking about whirlpools, Jacuzzis, spas, and hot tubs it all becomes semantics.

Many modern homes have these relaxing accessories. Whirlpools, Jacuzzis with water propelled jets are spas and are usually located in bathrooms. Hot tubs are either installed outside on a patio or deck, although they are sometimes installed in the basement or porch. If you are considering installing one of these luxuries there are a few things to consider.

Of course water is the primary medium of these accessories and water is heavy. A gallon of water weighs slightly over eight pounds and most domestic whirlpool, Jacuzzis, and hot tubs contain 200 gallons of water or more depending on the size. The capacity of a large six place hot tub can take approximately 500 gallons to fill it up. A 100 gallon capacity whirlpool in your bathroom will weigh approximately over 830 pounds. These are no small weight and the bathroom floor must be structurally built to support the weight.

Hot tubs are usually installed outside or on a concrete floor in the basement because of the weight. A 500 gallon hot tub will weigh over 4000 pounds when full of water alone. Throwing in the hot tub empty weight and the weight of six people and the aggregated weigh will exceed 5000 ponds. That is why most homeowners prefer outdoor hot tubs that are installed on a patio or a specially built deck that will support the weight.

In addition to the weight consideration the installation of a whirlpool, Jacuzzi, spa, or a hot tub involves plumbing and electrical circuit issues. All of these relaxing accessories require some sort of special electrical circuitry to operate them. The jet pumps in all these units require a dedicated circuit. Hot tubs require an additional dedicated circuit to operate the heating units. None of these units can be considered energy savers as they do use a lot of power to operate. If you are a conservationist that is interested in going green you may want to avoid these luxury items.

The thought of heating an outdoor hot tub through the winter gives most people economic chills.  Obviously the temperature you set the water temperature to will greatly affect how much it will cost to heat the water during winter months.  Modern hot tubs are remarkably efficient and once they are heated to the desired temperature it does not take very much power to keep it heated. Most manufacturers claim that it only takes a dollar a day to maintain a hot tub water temperature at 110 degrees F after it is initially heated. Keep in mind that hot tubs are heavily insulated and have an insulated top that is installed when it is not in use.

Actually a hot tub cost less to operate than indoor whirlpools and Jacuzzis. Whirlpools and Jacuzzis require a lot of water every time they are used. For many people water is expensive. In addition, the water has to be heated by the domestic hot water heating system. This adds a lot of cost for the luxury of a bathroom spa.      

After considering these points the outside or basement hot tub is the most economical to install and operate. The hot tub water is only changed every two months, depending how often you use it, and heating the water is a lot less expensive than heating the water of a bathroom spa. I recommend the hot tub over the bathroom spa simply because it cost less to install and operate.

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