With the weather taking a chilly turn these past few weeks, some of our clients at Piper Electric have been starting new projects. Hot tub installation is a topic that tends to crop up during the fall and winter as folks start to look for ways to enjoy (or tolerate) the snowy months. If you are thinking about installing a hot tub to your home, there are a few installation tips to keep in mind.
Hot Tub Delivery
Depending on the model of hot tub you purchase and the distributor, delivery can be slightly different. Generally a dealer will want to make sure you are home during a delivery so that they can make sure things go smoothly. Your new hot tub will be carted in on rollers, and if you are doing your own installation, it will be set on or near its final location. The main thing to keep in mind before your tub is delivered is the base. The ideal setting for a tub is going to be a concrete pad, stone pavers, or a synthetic floor that will tolerate water and heat. You will want to have your base ready before delivery, that way you won’t have to sit your nice new tub outside for weeks while you figure out where you are going to put it.
Water
One of the next things to keep in mind while you’re installing a hot tub is, shockingly, water. There is often the misconception that hot tubs require specialized plumbing work, but that is usually not the case. For most models, the only thing to double check while installing a hot tub is that you have a water source nearby to fill the tub. Your average garden hose is the only equipment you are likely to need to get started. Your tub can be filled with everyday municipal or well water, and from there simply follow the instructions for treating and maintaining your tub’s water. Also keep in mind that you will want to drain your new tub annually for maintenance, so having access to a stormwater drain is ideal.
Power
Now we come to a place where it may be best to give us a call at Piper Electric to assist with installing a hot tub. While some spas work with your standard 110 volt household outlets, many of them do not. Larger or more advanced tubs will require a 220 volt outlet. If this is the case for you, make an appointment with us and we will be happy to have an electrician assess your home’s power capacity and perform installation of the new outlet. The good news here is that adding 220-volt capability is not a one-off. We are seeing more and more demand for increased capacity with the rise of electric cars. There is a good chance that this upgrade will end up being used for more than just your new hydrotherapy hot spot.