Manufacturers now offer a variety of designs ranging from single- to full-size models

by Sally Bouorm | June 1, 2012 2:50 pm

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By Vic Walker

With the economy still on the rebound, many consumers are looking for smaller hot tubs for a variety of reasons. For instance, these models are perfect for those who have moved from larger homes into smaller ones but would still like the luxury of a hot tub. For others, it may be the low price and perceived value of an entry-level hot tub, or simply because the kids have moved out and the large, family-size hot tub is no longer necessary. For these reasons, as well as many others, the plug-and-play hot tub market is growing.

Plug and play: A hot tub definition

Originally used to describe components for a computer system that are easy to install, the term ‘plug and play[2]’ today is heard quite frequently as it has become synonymous with anything that is simple for the consumer to buy and install themselves.

The same can be said of plug-in-play hot tubs. These units are designed to operate on 15 amps (maximum) and can be easily connected to a common household outlet. As a matter of fact, the first Jacuzzi pump was a small portable device that plugged into the wall and was simply dropped into a bathtub for hydrotherapy purposes. This plug-and-play product spawned the entire hot tub industry.

While plug and play products have been available for decades, this hot tub category has seen considerable growth in the last few years. As a result, many hot tub manufacturers now offer a large variety of plug-and-play designs, ranging from single-person to full-size (i.e. five-to-six person) models. These hot tubs are distributed to all parts of the world as the cord (which includes a built-in ground fault circuit interrupter [GFCI] to provide a safety circuit) and control systems can be easily configured to match each region’s standard outlet designs and electrical requirements. In North America, a typical domestic plug-and-play hot tub uses a standard three-prong plug. Most homes have at least one or two exterior outlets (usually installed by the builder) that can be utilized to provide power.

Heating methods lend to simplicity

One of the reasons these hot tubs can be easily installed on an existing electrical system using a standard plug is because they are typically built with smaller 1-kW heaters.

Another design variation recaptures heat created by the pump to increase the water’s temperature. These units obviously take longer to heat the water as they do not have a dedicated heater.

Advantages over standard hot tubs

Plug-and-play hot tubs offer consumers a number of advantages over larger, traditional hot tubs. The most obvious is their easy, no-cost installation, which offers instant gratification in that most plug-and-play hot tubs can be delivered same-day, set up and plugged-in immediately. The homeowner can then use their new hot tub as soon as the water reaches the desired temperature. This ease of installation is very appealing to first time owners.

In comparison, larger 220/240-volt hot tubs require a licensed electrical contractor to install an appropriate-sized breaker, GFCI and disconnect, as well as the correct wire gauge and associated conduit. Depending on the installation and permit process, purchasing and installing a traditional hot tub can take up to a week, or sometimes longer.

What do consumers look for in a plug-in-play product?

New manufacturing techniques and components have allowed fabricators to develop improved designs, which have made these entry-level products more appealing to consumers. For instance, they are more energy efficient, have bigger motors as well as more jets and features (e.g. light-emitting diode [LED] lighting and waterfalls) that are more commonly found on larger, more expensive hot tubs.

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As mentioned earlier, some consumers are previous hot tub owners who have downsized. These consumers are savvy about hot tub features and are more likely to look for the same options if available on a plug-in-play unit. These additional features help add ambiance and value to a fast growing segment of the hot tub industry.

Similar to other hot tub products, plug-and-play designs are available with a wide variety of features. Although many can be considered subjective, some are more important than others. Basic items such as pump size, number of jets, style of jets (air or water), interior/exterior lighting (LED or incandescent) and type of cover (hard or soft), are some of the features that should be considered when choosing a hot tub.

ARE 110-VOLT PLUG-AND-PLAY HOT TUBS LESS EXPENSIVE TO OPERATE?

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.

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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.

Single-sheet vacuum formed

This style has probably been around the longest. Some of the first portable hot tubs were simple, single-sheet formed designs with small motors, a few jets and a simple plug. It was actually the popularity of these early designs, along with consumer desire for more jets and larger, more powerful pumps that gave way to the development of the modern 220/240-volt hot tub.

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Single-sheet vacuum-formed hot tubs use more of a traditional manufacturing process when compared to the soft tubs mentioned above. Vacuum forming techniques are used to create both the interior seating area and exterior walls out of a single piece of acrylic. These designs are well-established and provide customers with a durable, entry-level product.

Plug-in-play hot tubs in this category range from small, one-to-two person units, to large, four-person models. One of the more popular footprints for this type of plug-in-play hot tub is a two-person oval design, which has been an industry staple for many years.

Typical features include:

• GFCI cord;
• 1.5-hp, two-speed pump with up to six jets;
• Digital controls;
• 3.25 m² (35 sf) filter;
• Dedicated 1-kW heater;
• Optional LED lighting and waterfall features;
• 473-L (125-gal) water capacity (two-person model); and
• Insulated safety cover.

Rotational moulded

This category has also experienced a large amount of growth in recent years. Similar in nature to the single-sheet design, roto-moulded hot tubs feature hard exteriors and interiors with comfortable formed seating. Most roto-moulded products are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material, making these hot tubs durable and long-lasting.

Roto-moulded hot tub shells comprise a single sheet of plastic and are known for their uniform construction and reliability. Limitations with this hot tub style (e.g. shell size, interior design and exterior finish) are typically related to the manufacturing process, which involves filling a heated, slowly rotating hollow mould with plastic granules. However, as an entry-level product, these hot tubs offer consumers some of the creature comforts typically found in larger models. They also typically feature co-ordinating steps and surrounds that are made from the same material as the hot tub itself.

Although roto-moulded products can sometimes appear monotone in nature, manufacturers are starting to create better designs and products that fit naturally into various outdoor compositions.

Typical features include:

• GFCI cord;
• 1- to 1.5-hp, two-speed pump with up to 25 jets;
• Digital controls;
• Heat recovery system;
• Dedicated 1-kW heater (some brands);
• Optional LED lighting and waterfall features; and
• Insulated safety covers

Traditional designs

Although these hot tubs are built in a more traditional fashion, using vacuum-formed acrylic sheet, along with a wood or faux-wood cabinet, they are still classed as plug-and-play hot tubs.

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Most manufacturers have one or two models in their line up that are 110-volt, dedicated plug-and-play units. These models supplement their overall product offerings and are not the focus of their business.

Since these hot tubs are built in the same manner as larger, more expensive units, seating comfort and the range of seating styles are more diverse than what may be available with other styles. These hot tubs are also available in almost any footprint—from traditional round models to square or rectangular designs. They tend to be more expensive than other plug-in-play options but typically offer above average feature sets, including larger pumps, more jets, good filtration and well-developed seating configurations.

Hot tub cabinets usually comprise synthetic or faux-wood exteriors, which come in a variety of colours and textures. Everything that is attached to the hot tub—except for the plug—is similar to what would be included on larger, traditional hot tub designs.

Typical features include:

• GFCI cord;
• 1- to 1.5-hp, two-speed pump with 10 to 25 jets;
• Digital controls;
• Dedicated 1-kW heater;
• Optional LED lighting and waterfall features; and
• Insulated safety covers

Patio tubs: Design focused products for the outdoor room

The growth of outdoor living continues to see consumers asking for more functional spaces. The term ‘staycation’ was created by a movement, which saw an increasing number of consumers spend money on their homes instead of going on lavish vacations.

A well-designed outdoor space not only has areas for entertaining but also space for relaxation and well-being. As the plug-and-play market has developed and grown, many manufactures are looking for new and innovative ways to design products for this growing market of design driven outdoor living. The result of this is a new plug-in-play hot tub category called ‘Patio Tubs.’

The growth of smaller, one-to-four person hot tub designs has resulted in these plug-and-play models being located closer to the home on patios (large and small) and/or decks.

Focus on design

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As this trend has grown, so has the need for plug-and-play hot tubs, which offer a better fit and finish with cohesive design elements such as integrated colours and accents. More attention is also being focused on adding elements that allow the hot tub to integrate better into existing patio and outdoor room designs.

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To accomplish this, manufacturers are using influences from patio furniture and other outdoor products as a natural way to create a hot tub that looks more integrated into the outdoor space. Traditional plug-and-play designs have been centred on low price and ease of installation; however, as outdoor spaces become more elaborate, plug-and-play hot tub designs, which are more esthetically driven, are a natural fit for today’s outdoor living design trends.

Sometimes referred to as ‘liquid furniture,’ these high-end, plug-and-play patio tubs offer the same basic features as other styles with additional features such as integrated hard covers with built-in lift mechanisms. These locking covers are fully insulated and designed to last the life of the product. Some models also include powder-coated aluminium decorative accents and frames, which allow consumers to match the hot tub with their outdoor decor.

Typical features include:

• GFCI cord;
• 1.5-hp, two-speed pump;
• 3.25 m² (35 sf) filter;
• Up to eight jets, plus whirlpool jet system;
• Standard interior/exterior LED lighting;
• Fully insulated safety cover with built-in lift mechanism (all models);
• Water management mineral cartridge; and
• Powder-coated aluminium frame and accents.

 

 

 

Vic Walker is the Product Design Manager at Dimension One Spas, a hot tub manufacturer in Vista, Calif. He has almost 20 years experience as an industrial designer and more than 12 years experience in the pool and hot tub industry where he has been awarded more than 15 patents for his contributions. He can be reached via e-mail at vwalker@d1spas.com[9].

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/manufacturers-now-offer-a-variety-of-designs-ranging-from-single-to-full-size-models/

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