Hot Tub Advice

Tir Na Nog · 08-10-2004, 02:54 PM

Looking for a bit of advice on Hot Tubs/Spas. This would be for a second home in the Wolfeboro area. We plan on putting this in an enclosed screened in patio that is under the deck and to use it year round. Nothing like the idea of popping in to a hot tub after a day of cross country skiing. Can anyone make any suggestions for a good spa that holds up well, without breaking the bank in either up front, maintenance or utility costs? I also could use a recommendation for an electrician to install a 220 GFI circuit for the tub. Thanks all in advance.

smoke eater · 08-10-2004, 06:02 PM

We have a Sundance maximus and we love it. So far it has been very dependable and the people at the Sundance store in Meredeth are realy nice.
There is nothing like it in the winter time and the coldest we were in ours was -12F in February. Hope this helps

SPANKY · 08-11-2004, 07:31 AM

i have had a great lakes spa for about four years now, no problems. i purchased it from the tub house in greenland. it is an in home business so he has very little overhead. he had the best prices around. i may also suggest purchasing one with an ozoneator, you'll have to pay a bit extra upfront, but will pay off by reducing your monthly chemical cost. good luck.

Rattlesnake Gal · 08-11-2004, 07:33 AM

We are quite happy with our Sundance spa. Have had it for six years now. If you get a spa, consider using Baqua Spa products as opposed to chlorine. Friendlier on the skin and we found it was less upkeep. Because of the ozone system for killing bacteria, you don't need to use as much chemicals as they recommend too. Good luck!

SPANKY · 08-11-2004, 09:07 AM

i agree with rattlesnake girl, i use baqua spa products also. a bit more expensive than bromine or chlorine based chemicals, but well worth it.

Tir Na Nog · 08-12-2004, 10:13 AM

Thank you all for the advice. Has anyone had any experience with the Nordic Spas?

SpaDude · 06-22-2006, 12:18 PM

Hi,

You were looking for some advice.... a newer company you might want to try is Spas N Stuff. http://www.spasnstuff.com/

They have quality spas that are relatively inexpensive.

Has anyone else here tried Spas N Stuff?

Regards,
SpaDude

codeman671 · 06-22-2006, 03:59 PM

I agree on the Sundance, we have the Optima (our 2nd one) and it has been a good tub. I am a bit unhappy with my dealer though, we are battling over a ridiculous service bill now due to a problem that was caused by the failure of a warranteed part that they are not covering.

The Worm · 06-26-2006, 09:22 AM

If you are in the market for a hot tub look at Arctic Spas, They are mfg'd in Canada and designed specifically for cold weather climates, best insulated tub on the market. They have a self supporting hull, meaning you could take the fiberglass tub completely out of the enclosure, set it on the ground and fill it with water. They also have an available option called a forever floor which is completely impervious to water, insects, rodents, & rot. I own the Timber Wolf model and it is great! For more info click: www.arcticspas.com.

fatlazyless · 06-26-2006, 03:00 PM

If you have the big bucks then Meredith & Laconia have three different hot tub businesses with showrooms, service and warranties: Energysavers, Sundance, & Stargaze, all excellent companies.

If you are a cheapie like me, check out walmart.com for a hot tub and hottubdepot.com for supplies and replacement covers and parts like a replacement heating element or pump or something.

jrc · 06-26-2006, 09:12 PM

My condo had a Softtub when we bought it. I hear they are inexpensive. They're not fancy, just a round tub with six jets. It's a thick vinyl cover over what looks like styrofoam. I loved it, pretty much no upkeep. Balance the PH once in a while, throw some bromine in the floating thing. I'd turn it down while I was away and back up when I arrived on Friday. Once a season and at the end of the season, I'd pump it out. Then I'd stand it on it's side, clean it with the garden hose.

When I sold the condo the buyer didn't want it. So my bother in law threw it in the back of a pickup truck drove it down to Nashua and set it up in his back yard. Pretty much indestructable. Plus it run on 120 and has a GFI built-in. Just plug it in.

Windrider · 07-01-2006, 10:37 AM

I'd caution against using Energysavers because of their service, sometimes it takes weeks to get a serviceperson and their sales staff isn't very attentive.

fatlazyless · 07-02-2006, 08:53 PM

Sorry to disagree but Energysavers has done done me very good service over the years. Once they replaced an expensive pump for no-charge when the funky sub-normal voltage burnt it out. Another time the service guy in the store, he says, advised how to replace the gfi plug which was no longer warranteed, and another time a different in-store service guy told me about the reset button on the back of the heater. So on three different times, I avoided a pricey service call thanks to their help.

By the way, Energysavers is one word.

secondcurve · 07-30-2006, 08:36 PM

How do second home owners deal with leaving their hot tubs for a week or two unattended? What happens when the power goes down? Does the tub come right back on line when the power returns? Has anyone's tub frozen due to failure? Thanks in advance.

codeman671 · 08-02-2006, 12:20 PM

My Sundance froze last winter due to a faulty part in the tub, the breaker popped and we did not check it for a few days. I got stuck with a $300 bill to thaw it out, the part was warrantied. I fought this being that it would not have froze had the part not failed but basically was told to stuff it. Mine came from a shop down on the seacoast, the same company serviced it.

secondcurve · 08-02-2006, 07:14 PM

I was afraid of stories like that. Wouldn't the fiberglass break if it froze solid?

fatlazyless · 08-03-2006, 09:25 AM

Hey, my 110v20amp Jetsetter from Energysavers' was plugged in, outdoors, on the last day of '99 and has never been turned off. It works terrific and it still looks like 'almost new', and yhe electric bill is not bad. Am still using the orginal set of three filters........just keep cleaning them out with filter cleaner solvent, ayuh!

The Ash Hardware in Ashland has the best prices around on hot tub chemicals.

Energysavers' is the best for warranty service and 'over the counter' freebie repair advice. Energysavers' knows!

Long Island Baba · 09-18-2006, 07:32 PM

We have a Hot Springs Landmark purchased at Energysavers in Meredith. The inside sales staff has turned over quite a bit in the last 4 years, but their service is still top shelf. Yes, problems can be solved over the phone with them or after a quick stop in and thus avoiding service calls and fees. I have had power outtages and only a few times in the past 4 years has the separate GFI popped and thing shut down completely. No, it does not reset. I personally would not leave the thing running for long periods without a visit or without chemicals...i'm crazy like that.

Seems you need to make a visit to a few shops and see what the experts say about such things. The Hot Springs product is very good. The Landmark is truly comfy with all the jets and all. We've had minimal problems. The manufacturer's booklet talks about what to do with long periods of non-use...drain it....or turn down the temp...or add extra chemicals...depending on the scenario. My electric bill is about another $1/day...and i'm worth it!!!
Good luck!

08-10-2004, 02:54 PM	#1
Tir Na Nog Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 53 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Hot Tub Advice Looking for a bit of advice on Hot Tubs/Spas. This would be for a second home in the Wolfeboro area. We plan on putting this in an enclosed screened in patio that is under the deck and to use it year round. Nothing like the idea of popping in to a hot tub after a day of cross country skiing. Can anyone make any suggestions for a good spa that holds up well, without breaking the bank in either up front, maintenance or utility costs? I also could use a recommendation for an electrician to install a 220 GFI circuit for the tub. Thanks all in advance.

08-11-2004, 07:33 AM	#4
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,451 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	I second that We are quite happy with our Sundance spa. Have had it for six years now. If you get a spa, consider using Baqua Spa products as opposed to chlorine. Friendlier on the skin and we found it was less upkeep. Because of the ozone system for killing bacteria, you don't need to use as much chemicals as they recommend too. Good luck!

08-12-2004, 10:13 AM	#6
Tir Na Nog Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 53 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Thank you Thank you all for the advice. Has anyone had any experience with the Nordic Spas?

06-22-2006, 12:18 PM	#7
SpaDude Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Possible Spas Hi, You were looking for some advice.... a newer company you might want to try is Spas N Stuff. http://www.spasnstuff.com/ They have quality spas that are relatively inexpensive. Has anyone else here tried Spas N Stuff? Regards, SpaDude

06-26-2006, 09:22 AM	#9
The Worm Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 41 Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Hot Tub Info If you are in the market for a hot tub look at Arctic Spas, They are mfg'd in Canada and designed specifically for cold weather climates, best insulated tub on the market. They have a self supporting hull, meaning you could take the fiberglass tub completely out of the enclosure, set it on the ground and fill it with water. They also have an available option called a forever floor which is completely impervious to water, insects, rodents, & rot. I own the Timber Wolf model and it is great! For more info click: www.arcticspas.com. __________________ Did you ever notice that when you put the words "the" and "IRS" together, it spells "THEIRS" The Worm...

08-10-2004, 06:02 PM	#2
smoke eater Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Billerica & Moultonboro Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	We have a Sundance maximus and we love it. So far it has been very dependable and the people at the Sundance store in Meredeth are realy nice. There is nothing like it in the winter time and the coldest we were in ours was -12F in February. Hope this helps

08-11-2004, 07:31 AM	#3
SPANKY Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	i have had a great lakes spa for about four years now, no problems. i purchased it from the tub house in greenland. it is an in home business so he has very little overhead. he had the best prices around. i may also suggest purchasing one with an ozoneator, you'll have to pay a bit extra upfront, but will pay off by reducing your monthly chemical cost. good luck.

08-11-2004, 09:07 AM	#5
SPANKY Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	i agree with rattlesnake girl, i use baqua spa products also. a bit more expensive than bromine or chlorine based chemicals, but well worth it.

06-22-2006, 03:59 PM	#8
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,492 Thanks: 221 Thanked 810 Times in 486 Posts	I agree on the Sundance, we have the Optima (our 2nd one) and it has been a good tub. I am a bit unhappy with my dealer though, we are battling over a ridiculous service bill now due to a problem that was caused by the failure of a warranteed part that they are not covering.

06-26-2006, 03:00 PM	#10
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,746 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,007 Times in 735 Posts	....if you are a cheapie like me! If you have the big bucks then Meredith & Laconia have three different hot tub businesses with showrooms, service and warranties: Energysavers, Sundance, & Stargaze, all excellent companies. If you are a cheapie like me, check out walmart.com for a hot tub and hottubdepot.com for supplies and replacement covers and parts like a replacement heating element or pump or something.

06-26-2006, 09:12 PM	#11
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	My condo had a Softtub when we bought it. I hear they are inexpensive. They're not fancy, just a round tub with six jets. It's a thick vinyl cover over what looks like styrofoam. I loved it, pretty much no upkeep. Balance the PH once in a while, throw some bromine in the floating thing. I'd turn it down while I was away and back up when I arrived on Friday. Once a season and at the end of the season, I'd pump it out. Then I'd stand it on it's side, clean it with the garden hose. When I sold the condo the buyer didn't want it. So my bother in law threw it in the back of a pickup truck drove it down to Nashua and set it up in his back yard. Pretty much indestructable. Plus it run on 120 and has a GFI built-in. Just plug it in.

07-01-2006, 10:37 AM	#12
Windrider Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Meredith Posts: 34 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Windrider I'd caution against using Energysavers because of their service, sometimes it takes weeks to get a serviceperson and their sales staff isn't very attentive.

07-02-2006, 08:53 PM	#13
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,746 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,007 Times in 735 Posts	.....got to disagree! Sorry to disagree but Energysavers has done done me very good service over the years. Once they replaced an expensive pump for no-charge when the funky sub-normal voltage burnt it out. Another time the service guy in the store, he says, advised how to replace the gfi plug which was no longer warranteed, and another time a different in-store service guy told me about the reset button on the back of the heater. So on three different times, I avoided a pricey service call thanks to their help. By the way, Energysavers is one word.

07-30-2006, 08:36 PM	#14
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,117 Thanks: 1,325 Thanked 559 Times in 288 Posts	How do second home owners deal with leaving their hot tubs for a week or two unattended? What happens when the power goes down? Does the tub come right back on line when the power returns? Has anyone's tub frozen due to failure? Thanks in advance.

08-02-2006, 12:20 PM	#15
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,492 Thanks: 221 Thanked 810 Times in 486 Posts	My Sundance froze last winter due to a faulty part in the tub, the breaker popped and we did not check it for a few days. I got stuck with a $300 bill to thaw it out, the part was warrantied. I fought this being that it would not have froze had the part not failed but basically was told to stuff it. Mine came from a shop down on the seacoast, the same company serviced it.

08-02-2006, 07:14 PM	#16
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,117 Thanks: 1,325 Thanked 559 Times in 288 Posts	I was afraid of stories like that. Wouldn't the fiberglass break if it froze solid?

08-03-2006, 09:25 AM	#17
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,746 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,007 Times in 735 Posts	........hot tub life! Hey, my 110v20amp Jetsetter from Energysavers' was plugged in, outdoors, on the last day of '99 and has never been turned off. It works terrific and it still looks like 'almost new', and yhe electric bill is not bad. Am still using the orginal set of three filters........just keep cleaning them out with filter cleaner solvent, ayuh! The Ash Hardware in Ashland has the best prices around on hot tub chemicals. Energysavers' is the best for warranty service and 'over the counter' freebie repair advice. Energysavers' knows!

09-18-2006, 07:32 PM	#18
Long Island Baba Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 78 Thanks: 1 Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Hot Tub We have a Hot Springs Landmark purchased at Energysavers in Meredith. The inside sales staff has turned over quite a bit in the last 4 years, but their service is still top shelf. Yes, problems can be solved over the phone with them or after a quick stop in and thus avoiding service calls and fees. I have had power outtages and only a few times in the past 4 years has the separate GFI popped and thing shut down completely. No, it does not reset. I personally would not leave the thing running for long periods without a visit or without chemicals...i'm crazy like that. Seems you need to make a visit to a few shops and see what the experts say about such things. The Hot Springs product is very good. The Landmark is truly comfy with all the jets and all. We've had minimal problems. The manufacturer's booklet talks about what to do with long periods of non-use...drain it....or turn down the temp...or add extra chemicals...depending on the scenario. My electric bill is about another $1/day...and i'm worth it!!! Good luck!