Application of knowledge
While most industry professionals are well versed on the methods of water balance, a significant number of hot tub owners may not be. Further, many may not even want to spend the time and effort to learn about it. Consumers prefer a quick, simple fix to what they perceive to be a water maintenance burden. These consumer traits are not likely to change; therefore, retailers should cater to it, and use it to their advantage.
In this regard, savvy hot tub retailers should have a number of options for their customers with respect to water maintenance products in an attempt to provide personalized water treatment regimens. As part of this, every hot tub retailer should have natural, enzyme-based hot tub water maintenance products in their sales repertoire for customers who may prefer these options. Retailers should not simply offer them, but all store staff should have knowledge on these products as to help customers understand what they are and how to use them.
For example, for dermally sensitive or allergic customers, more creative ways of water maintenance are required. One popular remedy is to ensure the proper water hardness and alkalinity levels first, then add an enzyme product, and shock before or after each use. This allows chlorine to off-gas rather than remain in the water to cause possible bather irritation. This can be achieved by allowing the jets to run while the hot tub cover is off. In this case, a non-stabilized chlorine works best as it will off-gas the quickest.
Most retailers recommend regular shocking of hot tub water, some level of sanitizer, and the use of a non-chlorine shock (when advised). Despite some disagreement in the industry, some enzyme-based product manufacturers also recommend the use of the Hamilton Index™ (pH range between 7.8 and 8.2) for water balance when using natural water clarifiers versus the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) (pH range between 7.2 and 7.8).
Some industry professionals will object to the pH levels recommended by the Hamilton Index;™ however, with the hardness and alkalinity set properly, no equipment damage will occur and the sanitizer is not restricted in doing its job.
For customers, once the water has been balanced, a sanitizer-filled float, along with an enzyme water conditioner is often all that is required—aside from filter cleaning—to maintain the hot tub. Sales of other chemicals may be reduced once customers start using enzyme water conditioners; however, customers will return to the store happy, purchase more natural products, and refer their friends, neighbours, and family, which helps increase the bottom line.
As these products become more common in routine hot tub maintenance, it is incumbent on retailers to perform due diligence to properly guide their customers in the use of natural water conditioning products.
Brent Vogan is president of Devplex Professional Inc., a Canadian-based water conditioner manufacturer. He has been in the industry for 10 years, supplying distributors nationwide. He can be reached via e-mail at brent@spasolution.com.
