A hot tub can be a great way to spend a chilly outdoor evening with family and friends. But hot tub nights typically have to be planned as it can take quite a few hours for a hot tub to heat up. There are a few tricks, however, that you can use to heat your hot tub faster.
You can heat your hot tub faster by leaving the lid on, the jets off, positioning your hot tub correctly, and starting the process with warm water. If you still find your hot tub takes too long to heat up after trying these tips, it may be time to upgrade the heating element.
Wondering how fast your hot tub should be heating up? Let’s look at the warming speed of hot tubs and some reasons why yours may not be heating as fast as it should.
How Fast Should a Hot Tub Heat Up?
How fast your hot tub will heat up depends on several factors, such as how large your hot tub is, how it is heated, and where your hot tub is located.
For example, an indoor hot tub will heat up much quicker than one installed outside that you are trying to heat up on a cold winter’s night. In the same way, a hot tub that is especially large may take a longer time to heat up than a smaller one.
That being said, a hot tub that is working properly should heat the water at an approximate rate of 3-6 degrees per hour. But, of course, your hot tub will heat even faster on a warm day, reaching temperatures of 100 degrees in about 4-5 hours.
However, this is just a general estimate, and the time it takes for your hot tub to warm up can depend on different factors. Some of these factors you can control, others you can not.
Why is it Taking Your Hot Tub So Long to Heat Up?
Despite the differences in hot tub heating times, there may come a time when your hot tub is simply taking way too long to heat up. This could be for several reasons. And before we get too far in, make sure you have a floating thermometer like this one (on Amazon) handy so you can actually measure whatever tactics you try and make sure you’re in control of the heating situation.
Heater/Sensors Malfunctioning
Your hot tub is a piece of electrical equipment; like any other electrical device, it can malfunction. Check the quality of your cords to ensure an animal hasn’t chewed through them.
If there are no visible signs of damage, it’s possible your heater may have just come to the end of its life or that the sensors are malfunctioning. Unless you are training in hot tub repair, it’s best to call a repairman to assist you further with replacing the heating or sensor elements.
Your Cover is Insufficient
Hot tubs need to be heated while covered. Otherwise, it takes them a long time to reach hot temperatures. Sometimes, a cover may be too thin to insulate your hot tub properly.
Additionally, if a cover has begun to sag or tear, this will also not keep enough warm air to heat the hot tub to high temperatures. Replace your hot tub cover to remedy this problem.
It’s Too Cold Outside
While hot tubs are a favorite during the chilly winter season, it can be too cold to use your hot tub.
The more powerful your hot tub is, the colder temperatures it can withstand. But if you have purchased a cheaper one with less than 4,000 watts of power, don’t expect to use it in sub-zero temperatures.
Can You Speed Up Heating a Hot Tub?
The good news is that as long as there are no mechanical problems with your hot tub, you can speed up the heating process of your hot tub yourself. Below are five quick ways to warm your hot tub in no time.
Start with Warm Water
This first tip will only work if your hot tub is empty, but if you can, fill your hot tub with warm water from the sink rather than ice-cold water from the hose tap. Not only will this result in the shortest heating time, but it is also very energy efficient.
The only issue with this is that you have to be careful not to add water that is too hot to your hot tub because it isn’t designed for it. Only put in warm water, not water that is hot to the touch.
Keep the Hot Tub Covered
Keeping the hot tub covered is essential if you want your hot tub to get hot and fast. Keeping the cover on traps the warm air the water releases as it heats and directs it back into the water.
As mentioned above, you can’t just cover your hot tub with a random cover. You need a high-quality one without rips or tears for this tip to be effective.
Keep the Jets Off
It can be tempting to start your hot tub and then turn the jets on to get the water flowing—the water experiences too much movement with the jets on, which cools it down.
Without the jets on, your hot tub will heat unevenly––which is to be expected. Simply turn on your jets when the hot tub has almost finished heating to remedy this.
Position Your Hot Tub Properly from the Start
Changing your hot tub’s position once it is filled simply isn’t possible. But if you are installing your hot tub for the first time and want to ensure it heats up quickly in the future, then it’s all about proper placement.
A hot tub placed against the house under the cover of an awning or other porch roof will heat up much more quickly than one exposed to the elements.
The only downside to this is that many insurance companies charge a premium when your hot tub is placed close to the house, so you will need to decide how important it is to you to heat your hot tub quickly.
Upgrade Your Heating Element
Some hot tubs aren’t equipped with a hot enough heating element to heat up quickly. This is typically the case with inexpensive hot tubs.
If you have purchased an inexpensive hot tub and now wish you had spent more for one that heats up quickly, don’t worry, as you can almost always replace the heating element in your hot tub. Instead, contact a hot tub company to find out what options are available for your make and model.
Final Thoughts on How to Heat Up a Hot Tub Faster
Overall, there are several different solutions to heating your hot tub faster. The one which works for you will depend on the placement and size of your hot tub.
If you find that after you’ve tried everything, your hot tub doesn’t heat up quickly, it may be time to call in a professional to see if something may be wrong with your hot tub.
