October 24th, 2018 by Chris Chapman

Many of our hot-tub owning customers tell us that, despite what you might think, winter is actually the best time of year for using a hot tub! The icy air makes your hot tub look steamy and inviting, while the cold weather will make you appreciate the warm water a lot more! In fact, a soak in the hot tub can be good for your health in the winter, as the cold weather can cause your joints and muscles to stiffen. Warming them up in the hot tub will improve flexibility and reduce the risk of strains and sprains. If you want to get the most out of your hot tub in winter, read on – we’ll give you all the advice you need.

Clean Your Filter Before Winter

Winter is always the dirtiest time of the year – mud, slush, and ice can easily be tracked into your hot tub, where they’ll start to clog up your filter. If your regular filter clean is scheduled for winter, it’s a good idea to do it a little earlier than usual to make sure your filter is able to cope with the winter muck that’ll end up in your hot tub.

Check Your Anti-Frost Settings

Most modern hot tubs have some sort of anti-frost system to prevent your pipes from freezing. This, combined with the usual chemicals you put in your water, should stop your water from freezing, so make sure you read your hot tub’s manual and activate any frost prevention systems.

Make Sure You Have a Good Cover

Splash out a little on a quality hot tub cover. You want one that fits snugly to your hot tub and is very well insulated. In addition, you need to make sure your hot tub cover is easy to put on and remove without causing any damage. The last thing you want on a frosty day is to be fiddling with an ice-cold hot tub cover, so this is important.

Turn Off Air Controls

It might be tempting to go for a bubbly winter massage, but you shouldn’t have your hot tub’s jets on through winter. This is because the cold winter air that’s blown through your jets will actually cool your hot tub water down, meaning your jacuzzi has to work much harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. The result is that you’ll be spending more on energy bills in order to be less comfortable.

Make Sure You Have an Exit Plan

One of the most important things to bear in mind when using your hot tub is to make sure you can get out of it safely! Once you get out of the tub, you’ll be dripping wet and only wearing your swimwear, and the icy winter air can start to bite very quickly. If your hot tub is at the end of your garden, make sure you’ve got a towel and a bathrobe right next to your hot tub so you can wrap up immediately. If the weather is around freezing temperature outside, being exposed to the air when you’re dripping wet for more than a couple of seconds can be dangerous, so make sure you don’t hang around.

Beware of Ice

It’s easy to forget when you’re relaxing in your hot tub, but it can get cold in winter! Any water that’s splashed over the side of your tub will quickly freeze if it’s cold enough. If your hot tub happens to be on some decking, this presents a real slip hazard, so be wary of this if the air is frosty.

Remove Snow from Your Hot Tub Cover

Luckily, we don’t end up with snow too often in this country. When we do, however, you shouldn’t let it sit on your hot tub cover! Heavy drifts of snow can cause your hot tub cover to buckle, ruining the insulating seal it forms around your tub. Clear off snow from your hot tub cover using a broom or a sweeping brush to help protect it through the winter. Under no circumstances should you use a shovel to clear off snow from your hot tub in winter – this could rip or otherwise damage your hot tub cover.

Increase Your Water’s pH Level

Cold water is naturally slightly more corrosive, so you should raise the pH of your water very slightly. You want it to be around 7.6 to compensate for the corrosive cold water that will be running into your hot tub’s system. Use some Soda Ash to increase the pH of your water and test it daily to ensure it’s always a little more alkaline than usual.

Check Your Water Levels Regularly

The last thing you want in winter is a leaking pipe. Even tiny leaks can lead to much bigger problems as it can cause your pipes to freeze. Keep a close eye on your water levels to ensure there isn’t any damage anywhere in your hot tub system.

Enjoy It!

After all that hard work preparing and maintaining your hot tub through the winter, don’t forget to enjoy it! Make yourself and your guests some steaming winter drinks, put on some relaxing music, and make the most of your hot tub. There’s nothing quite like bathing under the stars on a clear winter night, so lie back and relax when you get the chance.