You may have heard of the term ‘winterising’ your hot tub. But what is it? Read on to learn everything you need to know about prepping your spa for the colder months.
What is hot tub winterising?
In a nutshell, ‘winterising’ means getting your hot tub ready for winter. As water freezes, it expands and can burst pipes, damage heaters and filters and even crack the shell. Winterising means emptying and cleaning the hot tub to avoid any damage occurring over winter.
Should I winterise my hot tub?
We recommend using your hot tub as usual during winter; it’s even more cosy when it’s cold outside. It’s perfect for warming up after a day outdoors and great for recovering after exercise. If you stay home over the winter months, it’s best to keep your spa running, filled with water and the correct chemicals, as you usually would.
But, if you plan on not using your hot tub over the winter months, then yes, you should winterise it to protect it from damage.
How to winterise a hot tub?
Don’t leave winterising till the last minute; you don’t want a sudden freeze overnight to damage the hot tub. You can book a winterising service with our hot tub experts, and we’ll do it for you to save the hassle, or you can follow these easy steps:
- Let the chemicals dissipate so you don’t harm wildlife when you drain the water. Test to ensure there’s no sanitiser in the water.
- Turn off the breaker (or unplug it if it’s not hard-wired).
- Drain the water; you can use a pump to make the process quicker.
- If your hot tub has an air blower, you need to drain the water from it. To do this, turn off the heater, replace the cover, and turn the tub on. Let it run for around 30 seconds to remove water from the air blower, turn the hot tub off, and then turn off the breaker. Remove the cover and carry on winterising.
- Use a wet/dry vac to remove excess water from components and pipework, followed by an absorbent towel to remove every drop of water from the shell, jets and filter well.
- Clean and replace the cover, then strap it down securely.
How do you open a hot tub that has been winterised?
So, it’s warming up, and it’s time to start using your hot tub again. Let’s take you through the steps to get it ready. First, brush off any leaves and debris, then open the cover. Following our cleaning guide, give the tub a good clean, and check the hot tub over for any parts that may need replacing. Finally, refill with fresh water and add the usual chemicals, testing to make sure they’re right. If you’re unsure, check out our chemicals guide.
FAQs
Is it safe to use a hot tub in winter?
The only difference between using your hot tub in winter and summer is the temperature. It’s safe to use in cold weather, but be careful that you don’t raise your body temperature too much and ensure you stay hydrated.
What temperature should a hot tub be in winter?
It’s personal preference, but in winter, we’d advise going a little higher than you would in spring/summer to allow a buffer if the temperature drops while you’re in the hot tub. Check out our temperature guide for a full run-down.
Will my hot tub freeze in the winter?
Most hot tubs have freeze protection, meaning they won’t go below 26°C, so as long as you keep it switched on, it won’t freeze.
Do hot tubs use more energy in winter?
As the ambient temperature is lower, hot tubs require more energy to keep them at temperature. Investing in an air source heat pump will help to reduce your running costs significantly. Ensure your cover is tightly secured so it doesn’t lose heat when you’re not using it.
Parting advice
And that’s it. If you have any more questions, just give us a call on 01482 212322 or drop us an email on serviceteam@outdoorlivinghottubs.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help. Stay updated with the latest products and updates on Facebook or Instagram.