“Ka-Ching!”

You love your hot tub, but those power bills? Not so much. It takes a lot of energy to keep the water in your hot tub at the right temperature. And when the weather turns colder, it costs even more.

But don’t worry! It’s not a lost cause. There are some things you can do to wrestle that power bill to the ground and still get the enjoyment you’re used to from your spa.  

Turn it down

Are you really going to notice a difference between 103 degree and 100 degree water? Probably not. But the heater on your hot tub will – and so will your power bill! It’s no different than managing the temperature in your house, where a couple of degrees can make a big difference when the bill comes due.  A smaller monster to wrestle, if you will.

Cover it up

Invest in a quality hot tub cover that fits your spa properly – it shouldn’t be too big or too small. And be sure to choose a cover that’s made for where you live. Here in Connecticut, for example, you want a cover designed to hold up to cold winters. Consider upgraded covers with fully insulated hinges and energy reflective undersides, too.

Stuff it full

There’s room in the cabinet for more insulation. Fill garbage bags with insulation and gently stuff them into the empty spaces. It’s like a coat for your hot tub, keeping the cold air just a little further away from the warm water inside.

Turn it off (the air, that is)

When you get out of your hot tub, turn off the air controls. The air they draw in is cold, and that just makes your heater work more.

Break it (the wind, that is)

If your hot tub is outside and exposed, you’d be shocked to learn how much heat you’re losing to the wind. Erect a simple windbreak and your energy bills will likely drop significantly. Plus, you’ll gain some privacy for your hot tub. Win-win.

Try these tips and instead of “Ouch!” your wallet will say “Ahhh!” this winter.

Looking for a hot tub? Today’s models combine comfort, technology and energy efficiency. Implement these tips for lower hot tub energy costs after installation and you’ll be one happy hot tub owner.

Namaste.

There’s nothing quite like yoga class for helping you find your zen. Pack your gym bag, drive to the gym, change in the locker room, try to nail your poses in a room full of other people who all seem better at it than you.

Maybe not so zen-like after all.

But that’s OK. There’s a new trend you might really like, that combines two of your favorite things – yoga, and your hot tub!

Many yoga poses (OK,not the downward facing dog) can be easily done in your hot tub, and not only will you get the benefits of yoga – you’ll get the benefits of the warm, soothing water of your hot tub, too.

The warmth from the water helps relax your muscles, and the natural buoyancy eases the strain on your joints. Plus, you get to skip the yoga pants, the drive to the gym and the audience – and as soon as your workout is done, you can slip right into your favorite seat for a soothing hydrotherapy massage!

Interested? Try these hot tub yoga poses to get started:

The Half-Boat
Take a seat, keeping your legs half-bent and lift them so they’re parallel to your hips. Hold the pose, and then slowly lower your legs to the starting position.

The Breakwater
Stand up straight, and simply twist from side to side.

The Diver’s Pose
Similar to the half-boat. Extend your feet out, and touch your toes with your fingers. Hold the position, then relax.

The Tree
Stand with your feet together. Place your right foot on your inner left upper thigh. Place your hands in a prayer position. Hold the pose, the switch sides.  

Experiment with other yoga poses that you’re comfortable with, and that the space in your hot tub will allow. And, as always, talk to your doctor before you begin an exercise program. If you’re interested in hot tub yoga but you don’t yet have a spa of your own, come see us. We can help you choose a Dream Maker, Marquis, or Celebrity spa that will fit your needs.

All together now: “Ommmmmm …”

Hot tubs are all fun and games until something goes wrong. Fortunately easy routine maintenance will prevent most hot tub problems. However, if a problem does occur you can find solutions for the most common hot tub problems right here.

Chemical Imbalances

One of the most common problems with hot tub maintenance is improper water chemistry. Fortunately, this is one of the easiest problems to fix. Every time you use your hot tub, you will want to do a visual check of the water to make sure it is not cloudy and that there is no algae or mold growing. If you notice these things, they can easily be taken care of by adding sanitizer or draining the water, cleaning the tub and refilling it with fresh water. It is recommended that you test your water often using test strips to ensure proper balance. Being proactive with water maintenance will prevent damage to your hot tub cover and filters.

Filter Problems

A clogged filter is another common hot tub problem. When too much dirt and grime accumulates, your filter won’t work properly. This can lead to dirty water and water maintenance issues. Depending on the cause of your filter clog, you will either need to clean the filter with water or with a degreasing agent that will cut through the body oils that tend to accumulate in the filters. If a proper cleaning won’t clear the clog, a new filter may be needed to get your filtration system back up and running.

Tripped Breakers

Sometimes when your hot tub is not working it could be something as simple as a tripped breaker. Hot tubs come equipped with GFCI or RCD breakers that shut things down if they sense any electrical currents flowing in an unsafe path. These are typically set pretty sensitive to safe guard against electrocution. If your hot tub isn’t running, this should be one of the first things you check, as the fix couldn’t be easier. You simply need to reset the breaker.

Heater Failure

It is never good when you go for a soak in your hot tub only to find that the water isn’t hot! This could be the results of heater failure. There are several causes for heater failure. Some of these things are easy to check for and fix others are not as easy. First you should check all of the switches and breakers that could be tripped. The low flow pressure switch, the high limit switch, the GFCI , and the door interlock should all be checked to ensure that they are not tripped. You should also check to make sure there aren’t any loose wires. All connections should be tight and not have any oxidization. Any of those things could be causing your heater not to work. Other things that are not as easy to fix, include a faulty thermostat or heating element. These items are not as easy to fix and you may want to consult a professional if your heating problems are not fixed by checking wires and switches. Heater failure can usually be avoided by making sure that you keep the water PH at a proper level. Low PH for an extended period of time can cause damage to the heating element.

Leaking Seals

Leaking seals is a common problem. O rings and pump seals don’t last forever and unfixed leaks can lead to nasty build-up and could eventually cause shorts. Periodically check the seals and replace any that are found to be leaking, as soon as possible. This is a quick maintenance procedure that can save you a lot of headache later.

Pump Malfunctions

If you find that your pump has water seeping from it or is making unusual noises, these are signs of pump malfunction. You could have broken seals which lead to leaking water. A grinding noise might indicate a jammed impeller. A whining noise could be a sign of worn out bearings. For many of these things, you can buy replacement parts to fix the pump. Seals and O rings are easy enough to replace on your own. Anything that deals with electrical components should be handled by a professional. Keeping up with routine maintenance is key to preventing pump malfunction.

Weak Jets

Weak jets are another common problem. They can be caused by a number of things. Dirty filters, low water levels, pump problems, air in your lines, or poor jet seals can all be the culprit of weak jets. Fortunately all of these things are fairly easy to fix. If you find yourself with weak jets simply check each of the items above and make the proper correction.

The common factor in all of these problems is that they can be prevented by properly checking and maintaining your hot tub. Quick visual checks of water, wires, jets, and connections will alert you to any potential problems early and can save you lots of time and money in the future.

Here come the snow storms! Okay, maybe not next week (fingers crossed) but winter will be here before you know it and your pool can suffer damage if you’re not prepared. Winterizing your pool can be a chore (thankfully you only have to do it once a year), but it’s worth it to avoid the expense of pool repairs next year before you can use it again.

Before You Cover the Pool

There are a few things you need to do before placing the cover:

—Shock the pool water by following the manufacturer’s directions on your pool products.

—Remove any debris from the pool, clean out the skimmer and vacuum the pool.

—To prevent algae growth and staining, you’ll need to make sure your pool water pH is between 7.2 and 7.8.

—As an added preventive for the growth of algae, we recommend you add an algaecide to the water. If algae grows in the water and then the water freezes, you’ll have all sorts of problems during the thaw.

—Based upon your pool manufacturer’s instructions, lower your water level. More than likely, you won’t need to drain your pool completely (which will make things easier when you open it next season). Fortunately, most pool designs can tolerate freezing temperatures and below better when there is some water in them.

—Turn off the pool equipment and remove the filter, the pump, the heater and anything else that has water run through it and can be disconnected. Drain and clean this equipment based upon manufacturer’s instructions and then store them in a place that will be warm and dry.

—For any equipment that remains and cannot be moved, turn off the power at the breaker box. It may also be a good idea to remove and store fuses.

—Remove and store a slide or diving board.

Cover the Pool

Properly covering your pool is one of the most important aspects of effective winterization. Be sure that you use a high quality cover that is capable of bearing heavy loads (ice and snow) for long periods of time without giving, cracking or tearing. We can help you research to find covers that have been quality tested for these standards.

A few things to keep in mind:

—Make sure that the edges of the cover seal completely so that wind cannot get under it.

—Indicate where the edges of the pool cover are located with some sort of visual representation that will stand out if there is enough snow on the ground to cover the surface of the pool (such as stakes). That way, no one will accidentally walk onto the cover and risk falling in (though you should have a cover that is strong enough to prevent that, you don’t want to take chances).

—Keep debris off the cover. However, you shouldn’t need to worry about removing snow accumulation. A sturdy cover should be able to withstand three or more feet of snow.

If you should need assistance winterizing your pool, Brothers Pool will be happy to help you. Just give us a call and our service experts can walk you through any questions or take care of it completely.