Jason Minor, owner of Spatacular in Medicine Hat, Alberta, sells and installs salt chlorine generators for new and existing spa and hot tub owners. He says the systems are easy to mount to the side or on a nearby wall, plug in, and place the probe into the water.
“In fact, the unit is so easy to install, we even have some clients buy the units off our shelves to install themselves,” says Minor. All buyers have to do is remove puck dispensers and install a salt chlorine generator in their spas and vacation rentals to instantly upgrade their space.
“We really can’t recommend the old chlorine pucks in a dispenser to anyone—as it feels like suggesting horse-and-buggy technology. Not only do you have to load the dispenser once a week, but as the pucks dissolve, cyanuric acid is released into the water, which builds up and makes the water’s pH go way down,” adds Minor. “Then you find yourself fighting low pH trying to keep the water chemistry balanced, which is a time-consuming, never-ending battle.”
In addition, Minor notes the saltwater provides a softer texture, which is more enjoyable than traditional chlorine. There is no smell of harsh chlorine, or dry, itchy skin after using the spa, which is much appreciated by guests. As most service professionals already know, salt chlorine generators make pure chlorine and improve the spa soaking experience.
Scovie’s Pool & Spa Services Ltd. in Ontario, also says they are installing more of these retrofit salt chlorine generators on hot tubs, especially as more weekend cottages are being offered for short-term vacation rentals. The business serves the Durham Region in Ontario, and has been doing installation and service of hot tubs and pools for more than 35 years.
“We install all our pools with saltwater and have been looking for a salt system for hot tubs for years,” says owner Scovie Burns. “We have tried other systems in the past that just don’t last, so we were thrilled to find these specific salt systems, as they are much better than the other systems we have tried; and because they sense the chlorine over time and do not over-chlorinate or under-chlorinate, it makes it much easier to balance the water. These salt systems provide the exact water quality our customers want, which is clear, clean water all the time.”
Chad Peace at Peaceful Spas in Palm Bay, Florida, refurbishes spas and sells four to five hot tubs per week that often end up at vacation rentals. “Each hot tub is custom refinished and made to fit the needs of the client,” says Peace. “At least 70 per cent of customers choose the salt chlorine generator when we explain the benefits. It is a self-sustaining, automatic chlorine system for spas.”
