The right temperature for a hot tub isn’t a one-size-fits-all setting — and it can be tough to figure out what’s best for your tub in each season. However, getting the temperature of your hot tub just right is well worth the bother. So, what’s the best temperature for a hot tub in summer?
The best hot tub temperature for summer is typically~98 degrees Fahrenheit or slightly lower. However, if it’s hotter than 90 degrees outside, then it’s unlikely that the water will drop below 95 degrees. Make sure you consult your doctor before using a hot tub in the summer.
Regardless of whether you want to be toasty as a turnover or cool as a cucumber, the best hot tub temperature ultimately depends on your personal preference. Let’s look at the best hot tub temperature for summer and which safety factors you should consider, so you can achieve a setting that keeps you cozy, healthy, and safe.
What’s the Best Hot Tub Temperature for Summer?
If you live in a very hot climate, then it’s best to drop the hot tub temperature a bit in the summer. Keeping the hot tub temperature below 98 degrees Fahrenheit can be incredibly refreshing, while still providing you the soothing and relaxing feel of warm water.
While you can set a temperature lower than 98 degrees, keep in mind that if the outside temperature is over 90 degrees, then the water probably won’t drop below 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Even if your hot tub is designed with a built-in temperature limiter, it’s best to keep a separate thermometer on hand. This will allow you to quickly confirm your hot tub’s temperature and spot any hardware problems, such as heating failure or overheating, before you enter the water.
Safety Factors to Consider
Everyone has their own water temperature preferences. However, there are a few safety factors and recommendations from the CDC you should consider to avoid any potentially dangerous health issues.
Can Children Use a Hot Tub?
It’s important to note that children have a lower heat tolerance than adults. Their thinner skin and smaller bodies make them much more susceptible to heat. For this reason, the CDC recommends that kids younger than five years old should avoid hot tubs.
The soak time of older kids should also be limited to only five minutes or less, and it’s best to avoid full immersion. It’s also advisable to use a timer, so your kids don’t soak in the hot water any longer than they should.
Remember that the best kind of soak is a safe one, so make sure you consult your children’s pediatrician before letting them soak in the tub.
Health Risks When Using a Hot Tub
When your body temperature exceeds or reaches 103 degrees Fahrenheit, you’re at risk of developing several serious conditions related to hyperthermia, including:
- Heat cramps
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat rash
- Heat stroke
The risk is even greater for very young children, older folks, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses. Even if you’re in good shape, soaking in your hot tub for long periods of time can be dangerous.
Make sure you consult your doctor or healthcare provider before getting into a hot tub, especially if you are (or might be) pregnant, or you have high blood pressure, diabetes, a heart condition, or any other serious illness.
Discuss with your doctor about the safest option for you, and then set your soaking time and hot tub temperature accordingly.
How to Cool Down Your Hot Tub
While you could simply cut off the power and let the hot tub cool down, this method isn’t very safe. That’s because no power means no circulation, pumps, or jets, leading to stagnant water.
Since the water will sit still, adding body oils and dead skin flakes to it will only lead to bacterial growth. Even if you add powerful chemicals, without the pump to properly circulate them, you run the risk of the water being left contaminated and untreated.
But don’t worry! There are several ways you can cool off in your hot tub without worrying about soaking in dirty water:
Summer Mode
Summer mode is available on some hot tubs, including Caldera and Hot Spring models, and the feature uses a timer that automatically shuts off the pump for eight hours, allowing the tub to cool down.
Shutting off the pump for eight hours every night is ideal, as there’ll be no danger of the hot summer sun preventing the temperature from dropping.
However, it’s important to note that not every hot tub has this feature. Some have sleep or economy modes instead, which work in a similar manner.
No matter which mode you use, you’ll probably be able to get the temperature of your hot tub down into the 80s. While this might not sound very cool, the water will feel great when it’s 100 degrees outside.
Why You May Not Want to Cool Down Your Hot Tub After Each Use
While energy efficiency is definitely important, cooling down your hot tub after every use may not be saving as much energy and money as you’d think. In fact, if you regularly use your hot tub, lowering the temperature between each use may actually be increasing your total energy costs.
Along with burning extra energy, reheating your tub every time also puts a strain on the heating element of the tub, forcing it to work harder to increase the temperature of the water instead of simply maintaining it.
This can shorten the lifespan of the heating element, requiring you to repair or replace it more frequently than you would normally need to.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t save money by cooling down your hot tub. If you don’t plan to soak in your hot tub for a long time or are going on an extended vacation, then lowering the temperature can help avoid a costly utility bill when you return.
