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  Category: Articles » Miscellaneous » Article
 

Hot Tubs




By Michael Sanford

Buying your first hot tub does not have to be a bewildering
experience. Read up, make a checklist of your wants and
needs, assess your budget (hot tubs can cost anywhere
from $2,000 up to $20,000 or more, depending on quality
and accessories), and soon you will be soaking in your
own luxurious hot tub.
First, decide where you want to place your hot tub, and
then determine if the location is feasible. There should also
be plenty of room to move around when stepping into and
out of the unit. Once you have chosen an appropriate spot
for your spa, it is time to consider which hot tub features
will best suit your needs.
Jets. Jets can massage your feet, ease your aches and
pains, and simply relax away the stress of a long day.
Selecting the right configuration may be one of the most
important choices you make during your spa-purchasing
process.There are whirlpool jets that move water in a
circular motion and neck jets geared specifically to loosen
tight muscles in the neck and shoulders. Swirling jets can
target certain areas of the body, while pulsating, or gattling
jets, flush water in staccato successions over a larger
radius (great for the lower back in lounges).There are even
hand and foot jets designed specifically to relieve these
overworked muscles. Many manufacturers have their own
names for their jet systems, so understanding what various
jets do can help you decide which ones are right for you.
When it comes to material, look for stainless steel jets.They
will not wear out, and they can be replaced easily.
Seating. How you sit will affect your oak.Are ou more
comfortable sitting up than lying down? Do you prefer to
immerse yourself in a deep bucket seat, or is a slightly
elevated bench more your style? Would you like to cuddle
with your honey on a loveseat or in a doublewide
reversible lounger? Think about these questions as you
browse through what is available, and you will be able to
configure the perfect seating for your hot tub.
Most seating can be combined with whirlpool, pulsating or
swirling jets. Look for enough seating areas to
accommodate everyone in the family and/or
guests, and check to see that the footwell is large enough
to hold the number that it says it will.
Controls. Do you want to start up your spa without having
to step outside into the rain or the snow? Then you will
want an in-house remote that lets you control the spa from
any room in your home. Manufacturers also offer floating
remotes and controls to make adjusting the jets, heater
and lights more convenient. Most spas come with topside
controls built into the shell or cabinet located near the
entry, but do not settle for this type of placement if
convenience is at the top of your priority list. It also pays to
invest in a hot tub that has a reliable control system that
will not wear out after a few years of use.
Shell. The interior surface of the hot tub is commonly
referred to as the shell, and it is usually made of tough
acrylic or thermoplastic. Shells are available in many
different colors and types. Marbled styles really do look like
marble slabs with two colors swirled together, and granite-
type surfaces simulate real stone, evoking the authenticity
of classy granite countertops. Pearlescent finishes give off
a gentle sheen and are typically offered in light,
shimmering colors. Ceramic tile is also available for a
more customized look.
Cabinet. Spa cabinets, sometimes called skirting, have
evolved just as spas have. Cabinets used to be composed
of wood, which required refinishing or repainting every few
years. Now most are made of attractive, long-lasting and
fairly maintenance-free synthetic materials. If you desire a
more traditional look, wooden exteriors are still available.
Multiple layers of insulation are usually tucked behind the
cabinetry to help retain heat within the hot tub, though
some tubs are insulated with spray-on foam in the interior.
Efficient insulation can cut your utility bills, making the spa
a better
deal in the long run.
Innards. The pump(s), heater, filter¡ªand often the
ozonator¡ª are the lifeblood of your hot tub. Pumps
circulate the water and push it through the filter and the
heater. The heater warms the water to the proper
temperature.The filter catches and traps debris for later
removal and should be easy to reach for this reason. And
the ozonator (if your hot tub has one) keeps the water
sparkling clear with little effort or maintenance. If you
choose a tub without an ozonator, make sure that you
understand the water care schedule for your specific
model. In all cases, you should find out from your dealer
how your spa operates. Usually filtration is automatic, but
you may have to program it. Also inquire about what the
optimum chemical mix is for your water. All of the parts
mentioned should be of high quality from known
manufacturers, and they should have reasonable
warranties.Today, keeping water balanced is quite simple,
but this all depends on a trusty filtration system that is easy
to run and maintain.


Amenities. Whether listed as options or as standard
features, amenities for your hot tub are plentiful. Ranging
from underwater lights, waterfalls, music systems, pop-up
DVD players and TVs, to spaside counter seating, water
misters and built-in exercise equipment, there is
something for everybody. Of course some of these items
may not be entirely necessary in your spa, but they add to
the overall enjoyment of the hot tub experience.
Covers. Most covers consist of hard insulating foam
enclosed in vinyl.They typically last anywhere from five to
10 years before you need to replace them, and the larger
the spa, the larger the replacement cost for the cover.
Covers that lock are a must for homes with children. Look
for durable covers with finished vents to drain excess
moisture.You can also purchase systems that will remove
and replace the cover automatically.
Test soak. Just as you wouldn¡¯t buy a bed without testing
the mattress, do not buy your spa without a test soak. Most
dealers offer these as a matter of course.
Usually dealers will schedule after-hour test soaks so that
you do not have to test the spa in a full showroom. Look
(and feel) for jet placement, footwell space, lack of noise
and where the controls are placed. A hot tub is a unique
and personal investment, and you should be completely
satisfied with all aspects of your spa¡¯s design. If you act on
impulse without experiencing the features firsthand, you
may wind up with a bad case of buyers¡¯ remorse.
Hydrotherapy, or the immersion of the body in warm water
to maintain health and prevent disease, may be as old as
mankind. Through the centuries, ancient Jewish texts and
written records of the Roman, Greek and Japanese
cultures provide evidence that the use of baths and other
water sources bring relief from pain and disease.
European physicians have long prescribed warm water
therapy in the treatment of various conditions, supported
by the results of many clinical trials. Certainly, professional
athletes and their trainers know how important water
therapy is to boost their performance and to speed up
recovery after an injury. The US medical community is
cooperating with top medical institutions, such as the
Cleveland Clinic Foundation, by incorporating separate
departments dedicated to the use of hydrotherapy.
Keri Currutt, certified therapeutic recreational specialist
and aqua therapy director at Cleveland Clinic Children¡¯s
Hospital for Rehabilitation, agrees that there is an
increasing trend toward hydrotherapy. ¡°Warm water pools
provide an affirming and inviting low-impact environment
for strength-building exercises for many patients,¡± she
proclaims.
Doreen M. Stiskal, Ph.D., assistant chair of the graduate
program in Health Sciences at Seton Hall University in
South Orange, NJ, which educates physical therapists and
sports athletic trainers, had this to say when asked about
the difference between clinical warm water therapy versus
the therapy possible in home hot tubs.¡°Most therapeutic
water exercise and rehabilitation facilities use pools having
a water temperature between 90 and 98 degrees.This
contrasts to a typical lap or cardiovascular aquatic exercise
pool, which has a temperature of 84 degrees or below, and
that of a home hot tub, which can be set as high as 104
degrees.¡± Given this distinction, one could assume that by
dropping the temperature of the hot tub by a few degrees,
users may extend and multiply the benefits of rehab
therapy right in the comfort of their own backyards.


 
 
About the Author
For more information on Hot Tubs please visit the Hot Tubs resource center at http://www.top-hot-tub-picks.info


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