| ARE 110-VOLT PLUG-AND-PLAY HOT TUBS LESS EXPENSIVE TO OPERATE? |
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| There is a common misconception that 110-volt hot tubs use less electricity to operate than their 220-volt counterparts. It should be noted, 110-volt hot tubs cannot defeat the laws of physics; they use the same amount of energy as a 220-volt hot tub would require to raise the temperature of a given amount of water (e.g. from 35 C [95 F] to 38.8 C [102 F). The main difference between the two types of hot tubs is the ‘time’ it takes to recover lost heat. Since 110-volt units are designed to work with no more than a 15-amp electrical system, the products have to be configured to run the heater with the pump on low speed only. These hot tubs cannot heat the water while the hydrotherapy pump is operating at high speed. While some designs have features to recapture heat generated by the motor, these systems still take considerable time to work. On larger 220-volt hot tubs, heaters are typically 4 kW in size (some are even 5.5 kW), which means they will heat the water four to 5.5 times faster. While they are using more energy to heat the water, they operate for a much shorter period, so the net energy usage is the same. |
Styles and types
There are several variations of plug-and-play hot tubs on the market with each offering a variety of amenities and features to make selection easier for consumers. Further, by including two or more different types of plug-and-play hot tubs in the showroom, it allows customers to see and experience the features each has to offer.
These hot tubs are showroom-friendly as they can be easily set up wet (i.e. operating) in most retail stores. This is an excellent way to emphasize the ease at which a customer can transform their patio or deck into a relaxing hot tub haven.
Generally speaking, most plug-and-play hot tubs fit into the following categories: inflatable/soft, single-sheet vacuum formed, rotational moulded (roto-moulded) and traditional. Keep in mind, however, each type has their pros and cons.
Inflatable/soft hot tubs
This is a large category, which offers a wide variety of products and price points. Most of the products are easy to set up and use, and are very portable. Most designs are made from marine-grade vinyl and are available in many sizes.
Inexpensive entry-level designs are typically inflatable units that come in boxes. Many of the designs use a small pump to inflate the hot tub making setup and installation quite easy. These models are padded with the bather typically sitting on the floor of the hot tub. Other variations include semi-rigid designs that do not require inflation. These models are available in a variety of sizes and are simply rolled into the desired location.
Most hot tubs in this category have a separate equipment housing that holds the pump and filter. These models typically do not have a dedicated heater; water is heated via coils, which wrap around the motor to capture heat. While this is a great energy-efficient premise, these models do not recover heat loss as fast as products with dedicated heaters.
Typical features include:
- GFCI cord;
- 1- to 1.5-hp pump with three or more jets;
- 833-L (220-gal) water capacity (average);
- Filtration system;
- Heat recovery system; and
- Insulated safety cover.
