Should I Winterize or Use My Hot Tub This Winter?

Thursday, December 6th, 2018

By Laura Varnon, Marketing Coordinator

Should you use your hot tub in the winter or winterize it? Well, the answer depends on where your hot tub is located.

If you are frequently near your hot tub, we recommend using it! Hot tubs are very enjoyable in the winter, and all other seasons.

However, if your hot tub is at a vacation house that you don’t get to often in the winter, or if you expect to be away from your home spa for several weeks during the winter, we recommend winterizing your hot tub.

How do I winterize my hot tub?

Winterizing your hot tub can get complicated. We recommend consulting your specific Hot Tub’s Owner’s Manual for complete directions, should you choose to winterize your hot tub yourself. However, there are some steps involved that require tools that might not be in the average person’s  toolkit.

At The Spa and Sauna Company, we have factory-trained service technicians available to winterize your hot tub for you. Call us at 775-852-3838 or Click Here to fill out a form to request service.

Using your hot tub in the winter

Now, if you plan to use your hot tub in the winter, and we hope you do, there are a few extra things to be aware of that you wouldn’t have to consider in warmer months.

Opening your hot tub in the winter

Before you open your hot tub cover, you want to make sure to remove any snow or ice on it, so snow and ice doesn’t fall into the hot tub or freeze on the cover.

Sitting in your hot tub in the winter

Keep your hot tub at its normal operating temperature. Be sure to limit your winter hot tub time to 15  minutes because it’s more difficult for your body to regulate its temperature when you are sitting in hot water with your shoulders and head exposed. Consider wearing a hat, to help you regulate your temperature better. Enjoy that soak!

Getting out of your hot tub in the winter

You will be cold after stepping out of a warm hot tub and into cold winter air. Be prepared and bring a towel or warm bathrobe that you can put on upon getting out of the hot tub. You might want to consider a spa side towel tree, which is available for purchase at The Spa and Sauna Company.

Also, be mindful of any snow or ice on the ground outside, you don’t want to slip. Flip-flops or slippers are a good idea. So is keeping a nice, clear path to your hot tub, so you can enjoy a soak any time.

The post Should I Winterize or Use My Hot Tub This Winter? appeared first on The Spa and Sauna Company | Hot Tubs, Swim Spas, Saunas Dealer Reno, Portable Spas, Lap Pools.

Do You Include Delivery?

Thursday, November 29th, 2018

By Laura Varnon, Marketing Coordinator

The Spa and Sauna Company includes local delivery with the sale of our hot tubs. These deliveries are provided by a team of trained hot tub delivery experts, who are all team members at The Spa and Sauna Company.

“We want to control the whole experience from beginning to end,” said Spa and Sauna Company Operations Manager Joe Lake. “That way we know they’re happy with their sale, as well as delivery.”

Hot Tub Delivery

Some other area spa dealers include spa delivery in the sale price, but others don’t. Some provide local delivery only in the Reno/Sparks area. Others have a base charge of about $200, that increases based on the difficulty of the delivery.

So how much is a hot tub delivery worth? The Spa and Sauna Company values local delivery at several hundred dollars. That’s a great value to be included when you purchase a hot tub from The Spa and Sauna Company. Our trained professionals will bring the hot tub directly into your backyard and place it precisely where you want it.

The only exception is when a crane or other machinery is needed. And in that case, we can provide referrals to crane vendors we have worked with in the past. If you need a crane, you would pay the vendor directly, just like your electrician. While crane delivery is rare in the Reno/Sparks/Tahoe area, it is sometimes necessary when the spa will be on a hillside or a second or third story deck.

Pool Table and Shuffleboard Delivery

While we do use subcontractors to deliver and assemble the pool tables and shuffleboards we sell, the subcontractors we work with have over 15 years of experience and have worked with The Spa and Sauna Company for years.

How much is a pool table or shuffleboard delivery worth? Again, we value it at several hundred dollars.

Our Delivery and Service Team

A hot tub is a long-term investment and over the course of its life, you may need service or routine maintenance. Our Service Team includes factory-certified technicians, some with over a decade of experience.

See some of our Delivery and Service experts below.

Should you need service assistance with your hot tub or pool table, Click Here.

The post Do You Include Delivery? appeared first on The Spa and Sauna Company | Hot Tubs, Swim Spas, Saunas Dealer Reno, Portable Spas, Lap Pools.

How Long Does a Hot Tub Last?

Wednesday, November 21st, 2018

By Laura Varnon, Marketing Coordinator

A hot tub is a luxury item and you want to make the best investment possible. So how long does a hot tub last? Well the answer depends, in part, on how you care for it.

Hot Tub Care and Maintenance

Like cars, which also have mechanical elements, such as motors and heaters, as well as routine maintenance items that have to be changed periodically, like filters, and a gorgeous exterior to care for, the quality of the hot tub brand you purchase and how you care for it will determine how long your hot tub lasts. We’ve even met customers who have had the same hot tub since the late 1980s!

Also similar to car buyers, many hot tubbers like to upgrade every 7-10 years, to take advantage of new designs, features and technological advancements.

High-End Models

At The Spa and Sauna Company, we’ve worked on high-end hot tubs in the field, that we also sell in our showrooms, that have been over 20 years old. Some last 25 to 30 years!

Entry-Level Spas

Even more entry-level spas hot tubs can last 15 years. We’ve seen entry-level spas that people kept for 10 years, traded in, and we have resold as used hot tubs to new customers. Those hot tubs still have a lot of life in them!

Replacing Parts

A quality hot tub brand in a higher model series can last over 20 years when maintained properly. Though components of the tub may need to be replaced on occasion, the price to replace parts is minimal, especially when you consider the years of enjoyment and therapeutic value that a hot tub provides.

Larger Investment, Longer Enjoyment

Some advantages of the higher-end models include higher-quality jets, longer warranties, and quality therapeutic value. This is definitely something to consider while shopping for a hot tub. Sometimes making a larger up-front investment will extend your enjoyment of your hot tub in the later years of its life.

To shop hot tubs now, Click Here to visit our Hot Tub Finder. This handy web page allows you to explore options by brand or seating capacity.

The post How Long Does a Hot Tub Last? appeared first on The Spa and Sauna Company | Hot Tubs, Swim Spas, Saunas Dealer Reno, Portable Spas, Lap Pools.

Is it Safe to Use a Hot Tub if…?

Thursday, November 15th, 2018

By Laura Varnon, Marketing Coordinator

Is it safe to use a hot tub while pregnant? Is it safe for an infant or toddler to go in a spa? What about a child? What if I have a medical condition? (Disclaimer: We, at The Spa and Sauna Company, are not doctors. Always consult a physician for medical advice.)

We know you have a lot of questions about Hot Tub Safety and rightly so. Used correctly, a hot tub can be a wonderful family experience. They have been proven to actually improve health for most people.

We hope to address some of the most common concerns and put your mind at ease. Hot Tubbing should be an enjoyable experience, not one riddled with unanswered questions.

Is it safe to use a hot tub while pregnant?

It depends. In general, you don’t want to spend more than 10 minutes in a hot tub while pregnant, especially in the earliest months of pregnancy. Some people decide to skip a full-body hot tub soak entirely. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a hot tub while pregnant though. You can still sit on the edge of the hot tub and enjoy time with your friends and family by dangling your feet into the water. Again, consult your doctor for more individualized directions.

Is it safe for an infant or toddler to go in a very hot spa?

No. Infants and toddlers can’t regulate their body temperature in the same way adults can. For that reason, infants and toddlers should not go in a very hot spa. Extremely limited time in a cooler hot tub might be ok, with the use of water wings or other flotation devices, and constant supervision from an adult. Consult with your pediatrician or family doctor.

Is it safe for a child to go in a hot tub?

Yes. In general, children can go in a hot tub for about five minutes at a time, depending on the temperature of the hot tub. If you keep your hot tub with warmer water temperatures, five minutes might be their maximum. If the hot tub is cooler, they might be able to handle up to 20 minutes with proper hydration and breaks. Again, if you are concerned, consult your child’s pediatrician. Also, children in a hot tub should always be supervised by an attentive adult.

Is it safe to use a hot tub if I have a medical condition?

This is a tricky one. Since there are so many different medical conditions, we recommend you discuss your specific health concerns with your doctor.

And remember, in general, for most healthy adults, hot tubs improve health. They relieve sore muscles, reduce back pain, and improve sleep quality.  Enjoyable features include lights, waterfalls, and the opportunity for unplugged family time.

The post Is it Safe to Use a Hot Tub if…? appeared first on The Spa and Sauna Company | Hot Tubs, Swim Spas, Saunas Dealer Reno, Portable Spas, Lap Pools.

How to Drain a Hot Tub Like a Pro

Thursday, November 8th, 2018

By Laura Varnon, Marketing Coordinator

The Spa and Sauna company recommends you drain and clean your hot tub every 4 months, unless you have an ACE salt water system. Then you can drain every 6 months. You can do your Drain and Clean yourself or you can have our one of our skilled Concierge Techs do it for you.

If you do want to do your Drain and Clean yourself, here’s what you need to do.

Locate where the drain is located on your hot tub.

Drains are located in different locations depending on the brand and model of the hot tub.

On all Caldera and Hot Spring models it is located on the base below the front panel (on the same side as the control board). Keep in mind that the higher-level models have extra amenities to make draining easier. Consider the Hot Spring Highlife NXT and Highlife which have one drain for equipment and one for the whole vessel. Or the Caldera Paradise and Utopia, which have a valve that slides out. You pull it out and hook it to a hose (which you have detached from your house) and then push it half way back in for draining. Similarly, the Sundance 880 has two options for draining, a drain on the exterior of the siding and inside the cabinet a quick drain, which requires less time.

Freeflow Spas have a drain at the base not far away from the outlet.

Draining your spa using the Side Drains can take up to 6 hours. Typically, when we drain your spa, we siphon the water out using a sump pump to save time. You can purchase a sump pump for yourself if you desire faster drain times.

If your model accommodates it, hook a hose up to the drain to allow the water to come out faster.

It is typically more difficult to insert a hose on Caldera Vacanza, Hot Spring Hot Spot, and Freeflow Models. If cleaning your spa at home yourself is an important consideration, we recommend you consider upgrading to a model that allows for more simple draining.

While you wait for your spa to drain, The Spa and Sauna Company recommends you use this time to clean your filter.

Filters should be sprayed down with a hose monthly or soaked in Filter Cleaner and then sprayed with a hose before inserting back in to your spa every 4 months. If you soak your filter and drain your spa at the same time, you don’t lose any valuable hot tub time!

Once the spa is mostly empty, use a shop vac or even a bucket to get any remaining water out of the seats and footwell.

Our pros always use a shop vac.

You’ll also want to open your equipment compartment and vacuum out any cobwebs, dust or dirt.

Although you won’t see this from outside your spa, it’s important to keep the inside of your spa clean too.

Once the spa is drained, it’s time to clean it.

We recommend a mitt, washcloth or rag, and using BioGuard Off The Wall to clean the shell of your hot tub. We also suggest wearing gloves as the solution can be hard on your skin. Off The wall will clean dirt, stains, grease and scale. You will want to apply it all over the tub. Let it sit for a few minutes and then scrub it off. Rinse well with water.

We also suggest cleaning your pillows with water only.

You can also use this time to use The Original Gel-Gloss Polish and Protector on the shell.

Finally, use 303 Protectant on the cover and panels.

Put the drain cap back on.

This is one of the easiest but also one of the most important steps!

Refill the hot tub by inserting a hose through the filter as if you were filling the spa for the first time.

Then it’s time to wait.

Once the water is above the jet level, you can turn the power back on and allow the spa to begin to heat.

Depending on how cold the water was, and what kind of hot tub you have, your hot tub should warm up about 2 – 6 degrees per hour.

You will want to wait until the water has reached 80 degrees before testing the water and adjusting the chemicals.

Then the spa can continue to heat to your ideal temperature.

A few final reminders:

If you happen to have hard water or well water, you will want to add Stain and Scale Control at this time.

If you have an ACE hot tub, you will want to put Vanishing Act in for 24 hours, and flip it after 12 hours.

And that’s it, your final step is to get in and enjoy your hot tub!

If you prefer to have our Concierge Techs perform this service for you, we’d be happy to help. Please call us at 775-852-3838 or Click Here.

The post How to Drain a Hot Tub Like a Pro appeared first on The Spa and Sauna Company | Hot Tubs, Swim Spas, Saunas Dealer Reno, Portable Spas, Lap Pools.

Hot Tubs Make a Great Gift

Tuesday, November 6th, 2018

By Laura Varnon, Marketing Coordinator

A hot tub from The Spa and Sauna Company makes a great holiday gift (or a gift for any time of year, for that matter)! Many of our customers come in before holidays or special occasions, like milestone birthdays or anniversaries, to purchase a hot tub as a special gift.

Let’s explore some reasons:

  1. Provides year-round enjoyment
    A portable spa can be used all year, especially in the Reno-Tahoe area, where the mornings and nights are so much colder than the peak temperatures of the day. Soaking in hot water is a wonderful way to invigorate before your day or relax before bedtime any time of the year.
  2. Will last for years and years
    Today’s hot tubs are designed to last for many, many years, with proper care and maintenance. We’ve met some people who have their spas for over a decade, before trading in for a newer model, of course.
  3. Provides a place for quality time with friends, family and loved ones
    Nothing says you care more than a hot tub designed for distraction-free time together. Hot tubs are great for reconnecting without the constant buzz of smartphones or other devices.
  4. Adds lasting value to your home/property
    Hot tubs are an asset to your property value, when well maintained. If you should decide to move, who wouldn’t want a home that comes with a hot tub. And since hot tubs are portable, if you’re moving locally, you could always take it with you, too. The Spa and Sauna Company relocates hot tubs too.
  5. Relieves muscle aches and pains
    Hot tubs are therapeutic. Just 20 minutes a day can relieve chronic pain or sore muscles. We’ve had hot tubbers tell us they no longer need chiropractors for their back pain, after they started using a hot tub regularly.
  6. Relaxation any time
    A hot tub at your own home provides instant access to relaxation. All you need to do is lift the cover and get in!
  7. Improves sleep
    A 20-minute soak before bed can improve the quality of your sleep, resulting in fewer wakes during the sleep cycle and higher quality sleep.
  8. Improves overall health
    Hot tub time can improve overall health, by fostering a more positive outlook on life.
  9. They’re just so much fun
    Have you ever been in a hot tub before? The jets, the water, the heat, the company, water toys. It all makes for a really good time.
  10. It’s a gift that shows you care
    The gift of a hot tub shows you care! Who wouldn’t be touched knowing the gift giver wanted to improve their health, share quality time, and all of the other great benefits discussed above.
  11. It would make a wonderful surprise
    Surprise! Holiday gifts can get so mundane sometimes. You’ll never have to worry about getting stuck in the rut of giving your significant other a hot tub every year. And we promise, this will be a gift he or she will never forget.
  12. It’s a gift that improves quality of life
    Health benefits, relationship benefits, home value benefits, entertainment benefits. The list just goes on and on.
    If you’re considering a hot tub as a gift this year, we encourage you to come down to one of our showrooms right away! We have over 100 hot tubs in stock, but ordering hot tubs from the manufacturer and getting on the delivery schedule, can take some time. Click Here to browse models.

The post Hot Tubs Make a Great Gift appeared first on The Spa and Sauna Company | Hot Tubs, Swim Spas, Saunas Dealer Reno, Portable Spas, Lap Pools.

Are Spas and Hot Tubs Chemical Free?

Thursday, October 25th, 2018

By Laura Varnon, Marketing Coordinator

Spas and Hot Tubs require proper Water Care. So, are spas and hot tubs chemical free? In a word, no. Although some hot tub and spa dealers will try to convince you that your hot tub doesn’t need water care or chemicals to function, water care is essential to maintaining a healthy environment in your hot tub.

At The Spa and Sauna Company, we are proud to offer a variety of water care options that are suitable for your individual needs. All of the Water Care Options we offer here will kill germs and bacteria, so the best choice is the one that makes the most sense to you, either for your budget or your skin sensitivity.

We also offer free water testing services at all 3 of our locations, so you can have a Water Care Professional check that the chemicals in your hot tub are at the proper levels. Just bring a sample of your hot tub water in a clean container to any of The Spa and Sauna Company’s locations. If your chemicals aren’t at their optimal levels, we are here to offer advice and products to help you adjust them.

The hot tub you purchase will determine in part the water care you choose OR if water care is an important consideration for you, the water care choice you make will determine which hot tub you buy.

At The Spa and Sauna Company we offer 4 brands of hot tubs, Hot Spring, Sundance, Caldera and Freeflow. Each has different options for water care.

We also use SpaGuard Water Care Products to supplement those systems. This includes items such as Shock Oxidizer and Enhanced Shock, one of which will be required for your hot tub cleaning needs. As a starting point for water care, minerals should be used on all hot tubs and work in conjunction with other sanitizers.

SpaGuard Enhanced Shock is a combination of oxidizer, sanitizer, and water clarifier. This unique water care item is exclusively carried by The Spa and Sauna Company in the Reno area.

Hot Spring

Let’s start with Hot Spring which has a Salt Water System available, which provides a lower chemical, more natural soaking experience.

Hot Spring Spas in the NXT, Highlife and Hot Spring Collection are available with the ACE Salt Water System. The ACE salt water system creates active oxygen with ACE diamond electrode technology. That active oxygen combines with salt to create chlorine. The ACE system requires less hands-on time to manage your water care. It also is environmentally friendly and offers softer, cleaner water. With this system, we recommend using 1 TBSP of SpaGuard Enhanced Shock per person, upon exiting.

As an alternative to the ACE system, owners of a Hot Spring Spas with an Ozone System can choose the EverFresh system, which reduces the amount of chlorine that needs to be added. It also includes minerals that make the water softer. With this system, we recommend using 1 TBSP of SpaGuard Enhanced Shock for each person in the hot tub, upon exiting.

Hot Spring Spas without an ozone system can use SpaGuard Water Care and Freshwater AG Plus Silver Cartridges. This is a more manual system for hot tub cleaning. SpaGuard Products can be used to sanitize your hot tub, reduce stains, clarify your water, test your water and sanitize your water.

Sundance Spas

Sundance Spas can use the SunPurity Silver Cartridge. This cartridge disinfects, prevents algae and clarifies water. Using this more natural option will reduce the amount of chemicals you need. All Sundance Spas are equipped with “ClearRay,” a UVC (Ultraviolet) Sanitation System. UVC light wavelengths are used for sanitizing water. Upon exiting the hot tub, you will want to add 1 TBSP of Enhanced Shock per person for sanitizing purposes.

Caldera Spas

For Caldera Spas, we recommend using the @Ease In-Line SmartChlor cartridges which lasts at least a month. The mineral cartridge lasts 4 months. When used with the Monarch® CD Ozone System, it provides Caldera’s most effective water care system. This system doesn’t over-chlorinate the water or use excess product. It also prevents pH from fluctuating, meaning less dry itchy skin and less wear and tear on your spa’s covers and pillows.

With this system, you shock your hot tub monthly, instead of after every use. You will use SpaGuard Shock Oxidizer once a month. Never use Enhanced Shock with this water care system.

Freeflow Spas

Freeflow Spas are a more basic spa, that doesn’t offer ozone or salt water systems. Freeflow Spas from The Spa and Sauna Company come with an @Ease Floating System. The ball floats inside your hot tub. It uses SmartChlor Technology to reduce the amount of chlorine and the amount of Shock Oxidizer needed. When the SmartChlor runs out, the ball flips the other side to alert you. With this system, you only need to use Shock Oxidizer once a month.

Other Options

Additional systems are available if the options listed above do not fit your needs.

Routine Maintenance On Every Spa Brand

All systems require shocking the hot tub (either after every use or monthly, depending on the water care system), testing the water balance weekly and cleaning your filters monthly. You will also want to drain and clean your hot tub 3 times a year. Yearly, you should purge the hot tub plumbing lines to get rid of buildup. It’s not too complicated once you find a routine that works for you.

By maintaining your spa with a small amount of chemicals, you can enjoy a healthy, clean, hot tub experience for many years to come.

The post Are Spas and Hot Tubs Chemical Free? appeared first on The Spa and Sauna Company | Hot Tubs, Swim Spas, Saunas Dealer Reno, Portable Spas, Lap Pools.

Exploring the Freeflow Line of Spas

Thursday, October 18th, 2018

By Laura Varnon, Marketing Coordinator

Did you know you don’t need a 220 Volt electrical hookup to have a hot tub? While most acrylic hot tubs require a 220V electrical hookup, a Freeflow hot tub and certain other hot tub models can be plugged directly into a regular 110 Volt 15 Amp outlet.

That means all you need to do is take home your Freeflow Spa and plug it in to get started having some fun.

Freeflow is a value spa line, which currently has 7 models to choose from, and can fit anywhere from 2 to 7 People. Every model is unique. There is the 2-seater Mini, the diamond-shaped Tristar, the circular Aptos, the large Monterey, and a few square and rectangular models to choose from that would suit a family with 4 or 5 seats.

Other advantages of a Freeflow Spa include:

  • Cost – Freeflow Spas tend to be less expensive than acrylic hot tubs due to their less expensive shell construction. You can take a Freeflow Spa home for significantly less than an acrylic spa. Lower cost means more people can afford a hot tub. And more hot tubs for more people is always a good thing!
  • Shell Construction – Freeflow Spas are called “Plug-and-Play” Hot Tubs or Unicast Hot Tubs. They are made from rotationally-molded plastic, which is also used to create everything from traffic cones to kayaks. This plastic is lighter than the materials used to make acrylic hot tubs. It is also less expensive to make, keeping the cost of your Freeflow Spa down.
  • Portability – Some of these spas are so easy to move you can purchase them “cash and carry.” All you need is a small pick up truck and you can purchase your Freeflow spa and take it home that day!
  • Water Care – At The Spa and Sauna Company, we recommend the @Ease Floating System for Freeflow Spas. You simply place the ball in the water and it floats. The system uses SmartChlor Technology to reduce the amount of chlorine and the amount of Shock Oxidizer needed. When the SmartChlor runs out, the ball flips the other side to alert you. With this system, you only need to use Shock Oxidizer once a month. It couldn’t get any easier!

As you can see, Freeflow has many benefits in addition to being a 110V hot tub. Click Here to learn more about Freeflow Spas.

In case you are exploring other 110V options, Sundance Spas, which makes acrylic hot tubs, offers a few hot tubs that will work in a standard 110V 15A outlet. These models include the Denali, Prado5, Dover, Tacoma and Jetsetter.

Other brands we carry also have a few spas that feature a 110V model, but they require 20 Amps. Don’t use these with 15 Amp outlet, as you will trip a breaker. Caldera Spas offers two 110V models, requiring 20 Amp outlets. Those 110 V 20A models are the Aventine and the Tarino. Hot Spring Spas also has some 110V 20A models. They are the Beam 110, TX and SX.

We hope this information has helped you decide if a Freeflow Spa or other 110V hot tub might be right for you.

The post Exploring the Freeflow Line of Spas appeared first on Hot Tubs, Swim Spas, Saunas Dealer Reno, Portable Spas, Lap Pools.

How Much Energy Does it Take to Run a Hot Tub?

Thursday, September 13th, 2018

By Laura Varnon, Marketing Coordinator

Have you ever wondered what the electrical cost to run a hot tub is?

To help consumers make informed decisions, Hot Spring Spas offers a Monthly Operating Cost Estimator with sample temperatures and electrical costs. Click Here to estimate your monthly costs. These figures were determined based on a hot tub set at 102 degrees and used 6 times a week. In this scenario, the jets were kept on for 15 minutes and off for 15 minutes.

For instance, a Hot Spring Envoy Highlife Spa will cost approximately $15.53 to operate if the climate is that of Las Vegas, NV, with an estimated temperature of 70 degrees and energy cost of $0.12 per Kilowatt hour. If you choose a Jetsetter Highlife, it would cost about $13.74, using those conditions. The Jetsetter is a smaller hot tub, however, so there is less water to heat and less surface area for heat evaporation.

The energy efficiency of portable hot tubs is listed on many of the hot tubs we sell here at The Spa and Sauna Company. You can see the Portable Electric Spa Energy Guide on the inside shell of the Caldera, HotSpring and Freeflow Spas offered here. It is listed on product signs next to the Sundance Spas we sell. All the acrylic hot tubs we sell are highly energy-efficient, and have foam insulation to help deter heat loss.

The California Energy Commission regulates portable electric spa efficiency. Regulations related to appliance efficiency in California were established in 1976 to reduce energy consumption. The Commission has a document of over 40 pages dedicated simply to portable electric spa efficiency.

While each spa will vary in the amount of energy it needs, a quick scan of our showroom showed that most models ranged somewhere between 100 and 250 Watts for Standby Power. Standby Power is the amount of power used at test conditions of 60 degrees. This is also known as resting wattage. It does not include spa usage or extreme cold conditions. The information allows you to compare spa models, but should not be considered the monthly energy consumption. Your energy usage will vary based on the seasonal weather in the Reno/South Lake Tahoe area that we serve, the hot tub model you purchase, the frequency that you use your spa, and the cost of electricity where you live.

After you purchase your hot tub, there are things you can do to keep your energy consumption down. Having an air-tight cover will keep in most of the heat, while the spa is not in use. Should you get a leak or find that your cover has become water logged, you should replace it. To purchase a replacement hot tub cover, Click Here. Keeping your filters clean will also lead to optimal energy efficiency by keeping excess strain off the pumps.

We hope this information has helped you make a better decision when selecting a hot tub for your energy needs or helped you keep your energy expenses down after you’ve made your investment.

The post How Much Energy Does it Take to Run a Hot Tub? appeared first on Hot Tubs, Swim Spas, Saunas Dealer Reno, Portable Spas, Lap Pools.

Stargazing in A Hot Tub

Thursday, September 6th, 2018

By Laura Varnon, Marketing Coordinator

There are many things to do in a hot tub, but few are as enjoyable as a nighttime soak while watching the stars, either by yourself, with a friend, with a loved one, or with your family. As the temperatures start to drop, and nightfall begins a bit earlier, it is the perfect time to enjoy stargazing from the comfort of your own hot tub.

There are plenty of astronomical events to watch in the Reno area from the comfort of your hot tub, from phases of the moon, to general stargazing, to more rare events, such as comets, which we might see later this winter, if predictions pan out.

This month, the Fall Equinox will happen on Sept. 23 and the Harvest Moon, the first full moon closest to the September Equinox, will occur on Sept 24.

While you enjoy the celestial show, available in your backyard every night, you might want to consider some stargazing music, beverages, and snacks.

While the best beverage to consume in a hot tub remains water, because it helps keep you hydrated, adults may choose to indulge in some alcoholic beverages. Keep in mind though, that alcohol can be dehydrating, and caution should be exercised. When in a hot tub, one alcoholic drink can feel like two.

Here’s a Spa and Sauna beverage our Marketing Team created for your enjoyment! And don’t worry, we have a former bartender among us.

The Spa and Sauna Soaker

Aperol

7Up

Blue Curaçao

Maraschino Cherries

Orange Slice

Ice

Fill a glass with ice. Take ½ oz of Aperol and layer with ½ oz of Blue Curaçao. Then pour a generous amount of 7Up into the glass. Garnish with Maraschino Cherries and an Orange Slice.

The Spa and Sauna Soaker – Non-Alcoholic Version

7Up

Orange Juice

Blue Gatorade (we used Blue Cherry Gatorade Fierce)

Maraschino Cherries

Orange Slice

Ice

Fill a glass with ice. Fill glass about halfway with Orange Juice. Top with Blue Gatorade. Top again with 7Up. Garnish with Maraschino Cherries and an Orange Slice.

 

Eating in a hot tub can get tricky. You don’t want to use your hands to hold the food, as your hands will end up back in the hot tub water. We recommend either toothpicks or very neatly speared foods.

You might consider cubing some cheese, fruit or vegetables and using toothpicks to pick it up. Fruit kabobs would also be a nice, hydrating option. Hot tubs are not the place for anything messy that you would touch with your fingers.

Should food or drink fall into your hot tub, you will want to remove it immediately. Depending on how messy the food or drink was, you may need to drain your spa to make sure your water remains sparkling clear.

Some of our music recommendations include:

  • Yellow by Coldplay
  • Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by The Beetles
  • Rocket Man by Elton John
  • Lucky Star by Madonna
  • Champagne Supernova by Oasis
  • Shining Star by Earth, Wind & Fire

You can stream music on your Bluetooth equipped hot tub or keep your smartphone a safe distance away. We hope these ideas help you enjoy quality time in your hot tub this season!

The post Stargazing in A Hot Tub appeared first on Hot Tubs, Swim Spas, Saunas Dealer Reno, Portable Spas, Lap Pools.