Nothing beats the feeling of unwinding in a hot tub at the end of a long day. Those leisurely soaks are usually more relaxing in the winter, especially on days when you can’t seem to warm up. But, while cranking up the heat could spice things up, you must be mindful of the water temperature. So, what temperature should you keep your hot tub at during the winter?
The ideal temperature for a hot tub in the winter is between 102°F and 104°F. However, you may need to lower the temperature in some situations to ensure a safe and relaxing dip. Such an instance is when your doctor recommends you do so or if a child or pregnant woman is using the hot tub.
Now that you’ve got the idea, let’s get into the details and look at how you can maintain your hot tub during the winter.
What is the Ideal Temperature for a Hot Tub in the Winter?
The temperature of your hot tub during the winter is more a matter of preference, but most spa owners prefer to keep the temperature between 102°F and 104°F. However, for some people, 100°F is safe and comfortable.
You can find your ideal hot tub temperature by soaking at different temperatures and see what you prefer. However, you want the water temperature to be warmer than your body temperature (ordinarily 98.6°F) in the winter.
Some situations call for special consideration of the water temperature. For example, your doctor may recommend certain temperatures or time limits depending on your health. You should also lower the temperature for children and pregnant women to ensure they enjoy a safe and relaxing dip in the hot tub.
How to Maintain Your Hot Tub During the Winter
As we all know, winter is no joke. If you own a hot tub, you have the pleasure of escaping the brutally low temperatures by taking a soothing dip in the heated water.
By sticking to the following maintenance tips, you’ll be able to keep your hot tub in peak condition and running smoothly during the snowy season.
Prevent Your Pipes from Freezing
Like the pipes in your home, the pipes in your hot tub could freeze in the winter. The best way to prevent this would be to ensure you turn on your hot tub’s freeze protection system.
While that isn’t an option for all brands and models, it’s not something to worry about so much.
If your tub lacks such a system, just set your timer switch to pitch every 15-20 minutes every hour to keep the warm water flowing throughout the pipes. You can also contact a hot tub expert and inquire about adding an auxiliary freeze sensor.
Invest in an Insulated Hot Tub Cover
An insulated cover like this one (on Amazon) can help protect your hot tub from the harsh winter weather. The cover will also help to maintain the water temperature since water loses the most heat at the surface.
Be sure to prevent snow and ice from accumulating on the cover if your hot tub is out in the open. If too much snow has accumulated on your cover, it would be best to sweep it off with a broom.
Under no condition should you use a shovel to get the snow off, as several hot tub covers have lost their lives that way—shovels have ripped them to shreds.
Use the Right Chemicals
Applying the right chemicals can also help maintain your hot tub during the winter. Such chemicals include:
- Non-Toxic Antifreeze: Use propylene glycol antifreeze to prevent your tub’s pipes from freezing and bursting during the winter. This type of antifreeze is specially made and sold for use in hot tubs. Don’t use the kind made for vehicles because it’s toxic.
- Products to Adjust pH: You’ll need a pH increaser and pH decreaser to keep your tub’s pH in check.
- Non-Chlorine Shock: A shock releases oxygen into the water, which works the same way as chlorine. Shocking agents increase the total chlorine level above the ideal level for a short period. That, in turn, sanitizes the water and removes chloramines and bacteria in your tub.
- Sequestering Agent: Helps remove calcium and other heavy metals from your tub water. These minerals or metals can make your tub water take an unsightly hue.
- Sanitizer: A sanitizer removes germs and bacteria and keeps the water balanced and safe to use. You can either use chlorine or bromine, but experts recommend using sodium dichlor granules which dissolve faster and sanitize the water quicker.
Keep it Clean
While you should clean your hot tub all year round, it’s crucial not to fall behind on cleaning and maintenance during the winter.
Abide by a regular cleaning schedule for both the tub and filters. Problems arising from failing to do so may become too complicated to fix in freezing temperatures.
You can use a regular filter cleaner, or if the filters are incredibly filthy, go a little further and put them in a chemical soak for around 24 hours or overnight. If the filters are beyond cleaning, dispose of them and connect new ones.
