Using a hot tub in the summer is a no-brainer for many people, but what about using it with cooler water? Many people opt to change the temperature of their hot tubs to 85 degrees Fahrenheit to offer a refreshing soak and reprieve from that hot summer air. However, even if you don’t want to change the temperature, there are other ways to partake in the relaxing nature of a hot tub all year round.
It’s common for people to use their hot tub in the summer, with some lowering the temperature or using it in water circuit therapy routines and evening or morning soaks. This isn’t going to harm anything on the hot tub, and it should make your existing treatment strategy more effective, not less.
Most people spend more time outdoors in the summer, where their hot tub is located. However, having it covered all summer long seems like a waste, so why not use it? A hot tub can offer a great addition to social gatherings but also soothe those tired muscles from all the outdoor activities you do during the day. From a refreshing soak to water therapy, a hot tub is an excellent addition to any backyard.
Do People Use Hot Tubs During the Summer?
Summer is one of the most popular times to use a hot tub. Generally speaking, the best time to use one is early morning or evening when the humidity has waned and temperatures have dropped a little.
A hot tub during the summer offers a great area for guests to gather around and offer tranquility that is on par with sitting around a campfire and looking up at the stars.
Hot tubs are not only great for social events and relaxing at night, but they can help your body heal, and your muscles relax after physical activity. During the warmer months, most people are more active by going to the beach and various sporting events.
So after a long day of working in the garden or kicking a ball around, a soak in the hot tub can revive those tired muscles and soothe the overextended joints.
Can You Use a Hot Tub with Cold Water in Summer?
As temperatures get hot in the summer, many people look for various ways to cool off, and one of those could be with your hot tub. With the average hot tub temperature around 104 degrees Fahrenheit, you can drop it down to 85 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and enjoy a cool soak in the middle of the day.
Alternatively, you could turn the heater off completely and enjoy ambient water temperatures that will most likely be cooler than the air and therefore feel refreshing.
How Can You Keep Your Hot Tub Water Cool in the Summer?
There are several ways you can work to keep your hot tub cooler in the summer that won’t cost an arm and a leg to maintain.
- Vent your hot tub overnight by placing tennis balls or foam noodles on all four corners under the cover.
- Uncover the hot tub entirely during the evening and early morning hours to let that cool summer air filter through the circulating water. It is recommended to close the cover again before going to sleep for the night, so nothing falls in overnight.
- Fill 3 to 4 empty milk jugs with water and let them freeze. Then, place them in your hot tub for a few minutes before you decide to use it. This will help cool the water down as the operating jets circulate the cooler water throughout the hot tub.
- Shade the hot tub if it is located in an area that receives full sun.
What Can You Do With Your Hot Tub in the Summer?
There are many ways that people can enjoy their hot tubs during the hotter months of the year. From socializing to therapy, a hot tub is handy all year round.
Morning and Evening Soaks
When summer is at its hottest, it doesn’t always feel like the best time to sit in a pool of hot water. But even when that midday heat is sweltering, the early morning and evening hours are cooler. So scheduling your soaks to accommodate this temperature change could allow more usage of your hot tub.
Use Cooler Water
No rule states a hot tub has to only have hot water. Many people use cool water during the summer for a refreshing soak.
Going from a swimming pool to a soak in the hot tub can be an invigorating experience. You can use the hot tub’s temperature control to lower it to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and use some of the other cooling tips mentioned above.
Water Circuit Therapy
If you don’t have time to use the hot tub in the morning or evening or want to lower the temperatures, you can still use your hot tub by engaging in water circuit therapy or contrast water therapy, sometimes called.
This means that you switch between different water temperatures. An example of a therapy routine is ten minutes in your hot tub to help loosen muscles and joints, then moving to ten minutes in a cool shower or bath. Lastly, you want to take a cold shower or bath to reduce inflammation and stimulate the nervous system.
This kind of therapy is excellent for those who suffer from muscle soreness, fatigue, pain, and restricted range of motion.
Summer Allergies
What most people don’t tend to realize is that a hot tub can offer some relief from those pesky summer allergies. In addition, the steam it produces is a natural treatment for all sinus ailments since it helps clear the nose by breathing it in.
Steam baths can also reduce sneezing, congestion, and nasal itching, all symptoms of allergies or, worse, the summer cold.
How Do You Maintain a Hot Tub in the Summer?
Your hot tub generally has the same maintenance as it would every other time of the year. However, it could get more out of sync since your sweat will feed bacteria, and the temperature changes in the water can make it more hospitable for that bacteria. To combat this:
- Test your water regularly. Using water testing strips (on Amazon), test every few days to ensure your regular sanitizing routine continues to do the job.
- Drain the water. Every four months, the water needs to be drained, and doing so in the middle of summer can go a long way in keeping it fresh.
- Shower before using the hot tub. A quick shower before getting into your hot tub will help remove sweat, oils, and dead skin cells so they don’t contaminate your water.
