How Do Hot Tubs Work?
Plenty of landscaping magazines and Instagram posts show pictures of outdoor hot tubs surrounded by lush landscaping, but how is everything connected in a hot tub underneath the frame and cabinet?
If you have just started considering the idea of purchasing a hot tub, you might be wondering how do they work? What are you actually buying when you decide to purchase a hot tub? Is it a box of water, as some people say? Or is there more to them than that?
In the article below, we will explain how they work. While there can be some mechanical differences between hot tub makes and models, for the most part the standard components are the same.
The same areas and parts below are what make an outdoor hot tub work.
- The Shell
- The Cabinet
- The Water Jets
- The Heater
- The Control Panel
- The Pump
- The Filter
- The Insulation
- The Cover
We will go through each of these in turn in this article. And hopefully by the end, you’ll have a good understanding of how a hot tub actually operates and what its components are.
The Shell
The shell of a hot tub is what most people see when sitting in the tub and is often the most striking feature. This is a Hydropool 579 Platinum.
The shell of a hot tub is made to contain the water in addition to featuring the jet mounting points and the molding of the hot tub seats. Shells are usually made from acrylic and reinforced with a fibreglass or dense polyurethane foam to strengthen and protect the shell.
Shells can also be combined with the cabinet in inflatable or rotomolded hot tubs. These are hot tubs that use one component to act as both as a way of lowering costs. These are generally lower-cost hot tubs as a result, but they lack the glam and sense of luxury that acrylic hot tubs provide.
The Cabinet
The cabinet adds a sense of luxury and is the most important component when thinking about blending into your backyard.
The tub’s cabinet is what provides structural support for the shell and equipment as well as conceals the equipment for an aesthetically pleasing look. Simply put, the cabinet is what makes an outdoor hot tub “self-contained” as it houses the heaters, pumps and plumbing. The cabinet will have a door so that the equipment can be accessed and serviced when needed. Common cabinet finishes are polymer and wood.
In recent years, linen-look cabinets have been developed, as offering ways from woodgrains have been developed. Cabinets evolve every decade or so, with new styles coming in. But the classic faux woodgrain has always been popular as it fits into most backyards.
The Water Jets
Hot tub jets are crucial for good hydrotherapy, one of the best parts of owning any hot tub.
The pump pulls air through each water jet and this is what generates the stream of pressurized water. When the pressurized water stream comes in contact with your body, it massages the skin, and helping with sore or painful muscles.
In quality tubs, many jets will be connected to more than one valve to allow you to customize your massage programs and the water pressure. What’s important about jets is not the sheer number that you have, but where they are located and how they work. A hot tub with more or the most jets isn’t the best hot tub: It will cost you more in power costs as it will require a larger motor than what you actually need.
Jet power can be increased by adding air pressure in some tubs. The plumbing on most tubs also usually features a diverter, which really acts as a massage selector, because the diverter will move more water to certain areas, creating more water pressure.
The Pump
The pump is the hardest-working part of your tub as it delivers the water through all the jets and often controls the circulation as well.
The pump (or pumps) are what cause the water to circulate through the hot tub. It is responsible for filtering and operating the water jets. If the tub just has one pump, it will have controls for different speeds. The low speed is used for filtering water and the high speed is for powering the water jets. If you add a second pump, it is usually called your circulation pump. It will ensure that the water is always moving in the tub, while the second pump will power your jets.
The Heater
The heater and a device called a controller are often combined into a single unit called a spa pack. The controller is responsible for powering the jets, heater and filter. The heater is exactly what it sounds like: As the water gets circulated throughout the hot tub, it passes through a heating element, ensuring your hot tub stays at the temperature you’ve set.
The Control Panel
The control panel is a simple interface, but it is also what most people engage with every time they use their hot tub.
The control panel is what you will use almost every time you use your hot tub. It controls the electrical components of your hot tub, such as turning lights or jets on.
The Filter
The hot tub filter does more to keep your water clean than nearly any other part of your hot tub.
The hot tub filter, or sanitization system in addition with the water chemicals, is essential for keeping the water clean and sanitary. There are usually more than one filter in a hot tub, and they do need to be cleaned regularly and replaced every so often. Filters are often near the top of a hot tub, screwed into the wall, along with a strainer or skimmer. A filter acts as a screen, removing particles from your water, helping to keep it clean.
Additional sanitization components can include AOP systems, which involve using ozone combined with UV light to further clean your hot tub and minimize chemical use. Ozone and UV light systems can also be used separately, although they are more powerful when used in tandem.
The Insulation
Insulation is crucial for energy efficiency, ensuring you don’t waste heat, which simply costs you more money.
Almost every tub sold has some form of insulation, but the quality will vary considerably. Some tubs have full foam or perimeter foam or blanket-style insulation. All can be good, but each have their pros and cons. Buying a tub without any insulation isn’t typically a good idea, as your heat will just escape, causing your electrical costs to soar.
The Cover
A cover isn’t technically part of a tub but you’re going to need one. Covers keep out matter but they also help trap heat in, saving you money. They need to be replaced about every five years.
What the Parts of a Hot Tub?
There are major components to any hot tub: the shell, cabinet, water jets, heater, control panel, pump, filter, insulation and the cover. If you come across a tub without any of these core components, we’d urge you to walk away and not consider buying it.
What makes each tub different is how these components are used. Different jets and jet placement makes for unique massages on every hot tub. Different shells create different seats.
In this sense, a hot tub is more than the sum of its parts. The combination of these eight elements is what makes each hot tub unique from each manufacturer.
We hope we covered all of your questions about a hot tub’s parts. If we missed anything though, don’t hesitate to reach out to us by contacting your local retailer here.
