Are Inflatable Hot Tubs Worth It?
- Inflatable hot tubs are fully portable. They come in a box barely larger than a microwave oven. They also come with a carry bag to carry it to sporting events, camping or fishing trips or to the beach. It is ideal for transportation.
- Inflatable hot tubs are quick to set up. Your spa is of course equipped with an air blower, which allows it to inflate rather quickly. After you inflate it, put the water hose into the tub and fill it up in less than an hour. Then plug it into a grounded electrical outlet. And finally, put the cover on and turn on the heater. That’s it.
- Sturdy and durable. Vertical “I-beam” construction gives rigidity to the walls. The thickness of the reinforced vinyl varies between 30 and 50 mm, which is not puncture-resistant, but is scratch and puncture resistant.
- Easy to use. The self-contained pump, filter, heater and blower have digital controls to operate the equipment and display temperature and status lights. The lockout function prevents tampering.
- The lockable spa cover is included to keep the inflatable hot tub clean, warm, and ready for use. It also comes with test strips and a floating chlorinator.
It will greatly help if you would also do the following:
- Make sure the spa is completely dry before packing for storage or transportation.
- Do not overfill the inflatable tub and do not sit on the walls.
What Can I Put Under my Inflatable Hot Tub?
There are a handful of options you can use under your inflatable hot tub, but we only recommend the following materials as they are easy to find, functional and durable.
- Ground Cloth
- Interlocking Foam Tiles
- Plastic Resin Base Pads
Ground Cloth
If you have recently purchased a spa with a floor cover similar to the one used on Intex inflatable spas, you can simply use it for your inflatable spa.
If it didn’t come with a floor cover, you can purchase this Liner Life floor cover that fits most inflatable spas sold today. It’s made of a high-quality, durable polyester geotextile that can prevent sharp objects, roots or rocks from damaging your spa cover.
Using a backsheet is also the most affordable option to ensure that the bottom of your spa is properly protected.
- ABOVEGROUND POOL LINER PAD – The Liner Life Pre-Cut Pool Liner Pad is specifically designed to protect the bottom of your above ground pool.
- PRECUT TO SIZE – Liner Life rhino pool liner padding is pre-cut for easy installation. It’s manufactured to fit most popular pool sizes and shapes (round, rectangular or oval) , eliminating the need to measure, cut, and tape as one would with foam padding.
- Made of a high-quality, durable polyester geotextile material, this gorilla liner pad for swimming pools will help prevent grass, roots, rocks or other sharp objects from damaging your pool’s liner. It will also revent "footprints" from forming in the sand base beneath the pool liner
- EXTEND YOUR POOL’S LIFE – Protecting the bottom of your above ground swimming pool with Liner Life will extend the life of your pool’s vinyl liner so you don’t have to change it as frequently.
- Precut and sized to perfectly fit your 12' round pool
Interlocking Foam Tiles
The interlocking foam tiles can add thicker padding under the bottom of your spa than the mop. They are also very easy to install, and depending on the size of your spa, 30 to 40 of these foam tiles 2′ x 2′ should be enough to cover the floor area you need.
If you are installing your spa on grass, we highly recommend this option. You can even place a backdrop or tarp over your interlocking foam panels to better protect the bottom of your inflatable spa.
- Protective & Cushioned - The high-density foam construction of We Sell Mats floor tiles provides a firm cushion to reduce the impact of exercising, playing, or standing for extended periods, protecting your joints, and minimizing fatigue.
- Easy Installation & Cleaning - We Sell Mats foam tiles can be easily assembled in minutes over any flat indoor surface, providing extra padding throughout the home. They're easy to clean - simply wipe them down with soap and water and let them air dry.
- Kid Friendly - We Sell Mats foam tiles are ideal for use in playrooms, daycares, or classrooms, as they provide extra thick padding that makes playtime safe for kids. Puzzle design adds a fun element to the floor, encouraging children to learn and play.
- Versatile Usage - Multipurpose foam floor tiles are perfect for a variety of activities and lifestyles, providing safe cushioning for light fitness exercises, yoga. They're also great for standing work positions, reducing strain on feet, knees, and back.
- Durable & Long Lasting - These foam tiles are made from high-quality materials and are designed to withstand heavy use. They're also easy to remove and reassemble, making them a versatile and long-lasting flooring option for any space.
Plastic Resin Base Pads
These plastic pads should be at the top of the list as they are recommended for both indoor and outdoor hot tubs. Like the other materials on this list, these pads are fairly easy to install and, just like these foam tiles, their parts fit together.
They are made of high quality and durable polyethylene resin. They are also very easy to clean with a garden hose.
You can also easily disassemble this pad if necessary. For example, in case you want to move your spa from your garden to your newly built patio.
Its versatility and durability make it the perfect cushion to protect the bottom of any inflatable spa, whether Intex, Coleman or other brands.
- Handi-Spa Pads: Set of 3 pads creates a new foundation to protect the underside of your hot tub or spa with a durable cushion; Can also be used between rough-surfaced wood decks and concrete pads
- Reliable Strength: Made of weatherproof high-density polyethylene and tested to withstand 300 pounds of pressure per square foot; Floor underside is formed with built-in strength pockets for durability
- Connectable Design: Hot tub floor mat pieces lock together with built-in connectors to reduce shifting which eliminates the need to pour costly concrete and time-consuming installation
- Versatile: Ground mat suitable for under pool filter equipment, plastic sheds, under trash cans, and inside the garage; Avoid placing beneath gas heaters as it can pose safety risks
- Specifications: Each hot tub mat weighs 15 pounds; Dimensions (L x W x H): 32 x 48 x 2 inches; Add pads as needed to increase overall pad size (Additional pads sold separately)
Can Inflatable Hot Tubs Be Used Indoors?
An inflatable hot tub is portable and you can move it around with ease. You only need to deflate it and transport it to a site then inflate it again. Most people buy hot tubs for their outdoor spaces. But you can be sure to find others who buy theirs for use indoors.
An inflatable hot tub is ideal for the outdoor space in summer. But winters can sometimes be freezing, meaning you’ll barely enjoy soaking yourself in the hot tub. Fortunately, you can use your inflatable hot tub indoors.
Ensure the site inside the house is ideal for eliminating damage to the flooring or the inflatable hot tub itself. Make sure the indoor space also has proper ventilation.
How Much Does a Hot Tub Raise your Electric Bill?
Soaking yourself in a hot tub is luxurious and brings a pleasurable feeling. But that feeling comes at a cost. You will spend a few extra bucks on your energy bills since maintaining the desired hot tub water temperature requires significant electrical energy.
Therefore, it’s reasonable that the hot tub will raise your energy bills by some amount. But the question is by how much? The amount of money you’ll spend at the end of the month depends on the inflatable hot tub usage. But your monthly energy bill will increase by an amount not exceeding $50.
The hot tub heater is the component that heavily taxes a significant amount of energy from the household power supply. It consumes between 1500 and 6000 Watts, depending on the model. The pump also has its share of the electrical energy.
Should I Leave my Inflatable Hot Tub on All the Time?
An inflated hot tub uses electricity to heat the water and maintain its temperature. As such, it will add some extra bucks to your monthly energy bills. So, you might wonder whether it’s ideal to leave your inflated hot tub running all the time.
Yes, you can leave your inflated hot tub to run all the time. It will increase your monthly energy bills but only by a few bucks. But the running cost of an inflatable hot tub is much less if you leave your hot tub to run all the time.
Your inflated hot tub will use much energy to raise the water temperature to an ideal level than to maintain the desired temperature. Therefore, you should leave your inflated hot tub on at all times.
Do Lazy Spas Use a Lot of Electricity?
Lay-Z inflatable hot tubs double up as lazy spas. They have become a household name due to their affordable prices. But most users wonder if it’s too expensive to run them. Although maintaining the ideal temperature throughout the day will cost you a few extra bucks in monthly energy bills, you will not break your wallet to run the inflatable hot tub. You can expect your monthly energy bill to increase by $50 if you allow the spa to run all day. As such, they use a reasonable amount of electricity.
You can know whether your lazy spa is using more electricity or not after learning the level by which it increases the energy bills. But you could also check the power rating on the components such as the hot tub heater and pump to know the energy consumption rate.
How Long do Inflatable Spas Last?
There are plenty of models to choose from when it comes to hot tubs. Hard-shell hot tubs are one of the models. And then there are inflatable spas. Of course, inflatable spas don’t last as long as their hard-shell counterparts.
But you may still be interested in knowing how long your inflatable spa will last. The material quality of the inflatable spa and the frequency of use will determine its durability. But they have an average lifespan of 2-3 years.
With proper care, your inflatable spa will last longer than that period, especially if its material is of admirable quality. But some owners complain that their inflatable spas last only a few months.
Can I Put an Inflatable Hot Tub on Decking?
You may have a wooden deck in your home. But you may wonder if it’s okay to put your inflatable hot tub on the deck. Yes, you could place your inflatable hot tub on the deck. What’s more, you can also place any kind of hot tub on the same deck without risking damaging it.
Ensure the deck has sufficient support, especially if it is more than 2 feet off the ground. This is essential to make sure the deck can support the additional weight from the inflatable hot tub. An inflatable hot tub can weigh as much as 3,700 pounds when it is full. That’s why it might be ideal for bracing the deck for excellent support.
Can I Leave my Lazy Spa on Overnight?
Yes, you could leave your lazy spa overnight. First, this will ensure that it maintains your ideal temperature at all times. And you will have a pleasurable soaking experience the next day when you step into the spa.
Although most users think they will experience an increase in their monthly energy bills, leaving the lazy spa on overnight doesn’t raise the electricity cost by a significant amount. Besides, a lazy spa uses less electricity to maintain your ideal water temperature than to heat the water to the desired temperature. It is better to leave it on overnight than turn it on the next day for your preferred temperature.
Are iIflatable Hot Tubs Expensive to Run?
Yes, it is expensive to run an inflatable hot tub, mostly if you leave it on all the time. An inflated hot tub uses electricity to heat the water and maintain its temperature. That means it adds a few bucks to your monthly energy bills. You can be sure to pay $50 more if you run an inflated hot tub all the time.
Are Inflatable Hot Tubs Good in Winter?
There are plenty of four-season inflatable hot tubs on the market. They are ideal for use in any weather condition. Therefore, you could use an inflatable hot tub in winter. You only need to invest in the best models to enjoy the luxury of soaking yourself in wintertime.
A four-season inflated hot tub performs exceptionally well in all the four seasons. Their heaters can handle the harsh temperatures without overworking any component.
They also have a construction design that handles the winter season very well. As such, they should be your go-to inflated hot tubs if you are facing wintertime ahead.
How Often Should I Empty my Inflatable Hot Tub?
Your inflated hot tub will need fresh water after some time. But you might not know when to replace the water. Manufacturers have a simple math formula for finding out when to replace your water.
First, figure out the gallonage of the inflated hot tub. Then divide the gallonage by three. Divide the value you get by the average number of visitors who use the hot tub daily. The resulting answer is the number of days the water should stay in the inflated hot tub before replacement.
Assuming your hot tub’s capacity is 300 gallons, and two people use it daily. Divide 300 by 3 to get 100. Then divide 100 by 2 to get 50. Therefore, replace the water after 50 days!
Can I Use my Lay Z Spa in the Rain?
Your Lay-Z spa can handle weather conditions from the four seasons. Therefore, you can use it in the rain without worrying about damage to the components. Besides, the Lay-Z spa will maintain the ideal water temperature even if rainwater is getting inside. But it will use electrical energy to keep your perfect water temperature. As such, you might pay more in monthly energy bills.
How do I Keep my Inflatable Hot Tub Warm in the Winter?
Winters can be freezing with temperature readings below the zero degrees. Such low temperatures pose a challenge to people who may want to keep their inflatable hot tubs warm. First, the cover will come in handy to help you keep the water warm.
The cover prevents rapid evaporation which may cause the water temperature to fall. The cover will also make sure the wind doesn’t cool the warm water in the inflatable hot tub. You should also make sure the filters are clean if you want the water to remain warm and cozy.
Should I Leave my Inflatable Hot Tub on All the Time?
It depends on how frequently you plan to use the inflatable hot tub. If you intend to use the inflatable hot tub three or more times a week, you could leave the inflatable hot tub on all the time.
But using it less frequently may mean you shouldn’t let your inflatable hot tub run all the time. Besides, you will spend a lot less maintaining the ideal water temperature than when looking to raise the temperature to the perfect level.
Do Hot Tubs Make a Noise When not in Use?
Yes, but the noise is not distractive. A few components make the hot tub produce the noise you hear when it is not in use. The pump is one of the parts. The right description for the noise is a humming sound.
Airlock in the pump might be the cause of the humming noise. Appliances that use electricity also produce low decibel noises. So, it is reasonable that your inflatable hot tub is making noise. The jets may also emit some noise, but this is common when you soak yourself in the inflatable hot tub.
