Any Hot Tub owners amongst us ?

[macabethiel]

We go away next week to our favourite UK destination so I can do a spot of fishing and her indoors can relax as she works long hours as a hotel receptionist.
http://www.eyekettlebylakes.com/lodges.php

I know it's a Marmite thing "Hot Tubs" they can be seen as a bit Chav to have one in your back garden but we spend a lot of time using one when we are away.

I expect the running costs to be between £40-60 pcm, we have been to A5 Spas near Tamworth last year to look at some but I am still unsure. The wife suffers with back pain and has found it theraputic when we are away. I am effectively retired working around 6 hours a week but her indoors does not get her OAP for another 6 years.

It's not the cost that bothers me, we have reached the stage in our lives when we have few want's left so a little pampering for her indoors is well deserved it's just I have a fear it will become a "One Summer Wonder".

Anyone got one and prepared to be honest as to if it was worthwhile and would they buy again with hindsight ? We do not intend it to be used by anyone except just us as we have no children.

[supergnome]

They are not very hygienic when communally shared. David.

[solarman216]

As a heating engineer come solar expert I have to dispute the claims made by a mate that has one, in that it costs very little to run, this thing is outside with a flimsy cover and he states that a sunny day will keep it warm, I cannot accept this any more than a bubble cover on a swimming pool will heat it up, I know first hand what the sun will deliver, however if you are willing to wait a month or so I will be able to say first hand as he wants to ship it to my yard for storage while he revamps his back yard and of course we will have the use of while here, but I have an alternative suggestion, what about a water bed, we have had one for 30 years and it is perfect for bad backs, pm me if you want to know more, Rick

[The Patrolman]

Yes mate, we bought ours secondhand about 5 years ago and sit still gets used. We only fill it up when we want to use it and leave it on for a week at a time. Make sure you get one with proper jets and not just bubbles. The kids had the choice of a holiday or a tub and they have never regreted not having the holiday.

[macabethiel]

As a heating engineer come solar expert I have to dispute the claims made by a mate that has one, in that it costs very little to run, this thing is outside with a flimsy cover and he states that a sunny day will keep it warm, I cannot accept this any more than a bubble cover on a swimming pool will heat it up, I know first hand what the sun will deliver, however if you are willing to wait a month or so I will be able to say first hand as he wants to ship it to my yard for storage while he revamps his back yard and of course we will have the use of while here, but I have an alternative suggestion, what about a water bed, we have had one for 30 years and it is perfect for bad backs, pm me if you want to know more, Rick

We have a water bed have had since 1987.

[macabethiel]

They are not very hygienic when communally shared. David.

We will not have a problem as it is just the two of us. That said the top end water filters, Ozone Injectors, etc should keep water clean but it is at a potential breeding ground for bacteria.

[macabethiel]

Yes mate, we bought ours secondhand about 5 years ago and sit still gets used. We only fill it up when we want to use it and leave it on for a week at a time. Make sure you get one with proper jets and not just bubbles. The kids had the choice of a holiday or a tub and they have never regreted not having the holiday.

That is interesting we would in all probability just have ours for Summer use if we go for it. I am looking at a Vista Spa Lincoln model with optional extra full extra insulation. We will avoid an air pump option and go for proper jets.

I would like to have it covered with a proper enclosed Gazebo but cost is high and we do not have a large enough garden. Out of interest what sort of filtration have you got and is water testing a lot of trouble.

[solarman216]

We have a water bed have had since 1987.

Well done, then a hot tub could be the icing on the cake, Rick

[carpy33]

My brother has one and it is used on a regular basis during the summer and winter. They aren't particularly cheap to run however I would say they aren't outrageous compared to the benefits. If your going to get one get the best that you can afford, I don't know what the blow up spa's are like but they don't look that great. My brothers hot tub doesn't use chemicals due to his son having severe skin conditions. This does mean regular filter changes and some expensive UV lighting to kill germs etc.
I would love one however with 4 children it would have to be a whopper and slightly out of my price range. If you can afford it go for it, resent events have taught me to make the most of every minute you have because you never know when it's going to end

[macabethiel]

My brother has one and it is used on a regular basis during the summer and winter. They aren't particularly cheap to run however I would say they aren't outrageous compared to the benefits. If your going to get one get the best that you can afford, I don't know what the blow up spa's are like but they don't look that great. My brothers hot tub doesn't use chemicals due to his son having severe skin conditions. This does mean regular filter changes and some expensive UV lighting to kill germs etc.
I would love one however with 4 children it would have to be a whopper and slightly out of my price range. If you can afford it go for it, resent events have taught me to make the most of every minute you have because you never know when it's going to end

Your closing words ring true to me, we do not know how long we have left in our hour glass that is the sand timer of our life.
I have pinched a bit from "Mort" by the late Terry Pratchett !

[firebobby]

I would prefer a home sauna personally, I love to relax in one when we are away.
Don't know what the running costs would be though.

[The Patrolman]

That is interesting we would in all probability just have ours for Summer use if we go for it. I am looking at a Vista Spa Lincoln model with optional extra full extra insulation. We will avoid an air pump option and go for proper jets.

I would like to have it covered with a proper enclosed Gazebo but cost is high and we do not have a large enough garden. Out of interest what sort of filtration have you got and is water testing a lot of trouble.

We fill ours up from the hot tap as we have a combi boiler, I reckon it holds about the same amount of water as 3 large baths so it doesn't take long to fill up. we use the Chlorine shock powder to start with and adjust the Ph levels with different powders. as we tend to empty it or turn it off when not in use we don't need to bother too much with the powders.

The air pumps are good some times but the jets are the best:clap

There are some great second bargains to be had our was 18months old and had been kept in a conservatory, it has had the last 5 years in the garden and still going strong.

[The Patrolman]

First use of the year

[macabethiel]

Well after much procrastination by me we finally parted with a wedge and had our Hot Tub installed last Tuesday by A5 Spas.

Very pleased with the service from A5 Spas and delighted with the one we finally bought. I am monitoring the electrical use quite closely at present to make sure there are no nasty huge bills.
Luckily we are with British Gas and have a plan (Dual Fuel) where we take monthly readings ourselves and pay next month for what we use this month.
Downside is our Monthly Gas bills in the winter months are large but in the summer very small e.g last month it was only £8.36 for Gas !