Posted on Wed, Nov 02, 2011 @ 01:23 PM
What is the best value in a Hot Tub?
This is a question many shoppers ask when thinking about a Spa or Hot Tub for their family. As the fall season kicks in and the weather gets cool and crisp, many folks are thinking about purchasing a hot tub for their family.
With a huge choice of spa brands in the marketplace, plus a variety of sources to purchase a hot tub, what is the best value?
Here is a summary of things to consider among brands of hot tubs and then sources to buy your new spa.
Things to consider in purchasing a hot tub.
Price - the price range for a new hot tub typically can run anywhere from about $3000 to well over $12,000 for a fancy hot tub with many bells and whistles. The median price for a hot tub is typically in the $4000 to $6000 price range. This is what we have heard from many spa manufacturers and what we have seen from the sales in our showrooms.
Styles - the most popular styles of hot tub's seem to be the 5 or 6 seater units with an open seating arrangement. Lounger spas used to be the most popular, but we are seeing a shift to the open, or barrier free seating arrangements.
Features - Hot tubs can have lots of features, including LED lights, special pumps, waterfalls etc. The more simple a hot tub is, the less you will have to worry about. We are seeing a shift to hot tubs that have minimalist features, as folks want hot tubs that will be easy to maintain with little to break and service. The Nordic Spas fit this bill and have everything you want, and what you need, including energy efficiency.
Where to purchase a Hot Tub?
Online - this is where you find a spa selling online and you order it "sight unseen" from a website, and at some point it arrives at your home and gets set off in your driveway. This is really not a good idea as the customer has not had a chance to sit in the tub, and see it and touch it before it has been delivered. People that have chosen this method to purchase a Hot Tub have in many case been dissatisfied once the spa arrived.
Also if you buy a hot tub online what do you do if it is not what you thought? What if does not work and you have to call an out of state number for service? Who is going to help you understand how to use it? These are all questions to ask prior to taking a leap of faith and purchasing a hot tub in this manner. What is the freight to ship back the hot tub where you purchased it? Will you get your money refunded? You may purchase plane tickets or a hotel room online but a hot tub is something you want to buy from a brick and mortar business.
Big Box Store - some Big Box store's are now selling hot tubs for discounted prices. Many people see the price at a big box store and think that the spa is a "good deal". Most of the time these are not great deals but very inexpensively made hot tubs made to a tight price point.
There is typically not a dedicated sales representative in most cases, so you don't get much help on purchasing one. They usually don't have a team trained in selling or servicing spas, so they farm it to a contract repairmen. Are these "jack of all spas" service people? Lastly the spas are typically made to sell for a low price and if you peek behind the cabinet you will see a thinly insulated spas which is built very inexpensively. We have even heard of spa made in China being shipped and sold in the US and that is an even bigger problem when they needs parts in the future as they do not use domestic sources.
Nordic Hot Tubs - 100% Made in America
Local Hot Tub Retailer - This is going to be your best bet to purchase a hot tub as they specialize in selling hot hubs. They will typically service what they sell and do a full job on sales, service, delivery and installation. They can repair a hot tub in the field as they have the full support of the manufacturer. Also, they will properly give instructions on operation and care for years in their local store. When you purchase a Hot Tub from a dedicated spa professional you will get a much more thorough product presentation and have an advocate years after the sale.
Specialized products require specialized dealers - simple as that! Don't take a chance at an out of state company or Big Box Jack of all trades - get a spa from a local dealer for the most satisfaction and the best customer service
So as you can see there are many different styles and sources for Hot Tubs and the best is going to be a name brand spa sold and serviced in your local store. A Hot Tub is a great product and what makes them so much better is a great brand sold by a great retailer to help the spa owner for years of enjoyment.
Pool and Spa Connection proudly sells and services Nordic Brand Hot Tubs in all their retail stores where professionally trained salespeople help customers purchase the right hot tub the first time. We also take care of their hot tub needs for years to come with service, advice and knowledge. We look forward to helping customer's make the right choice the first time every time.
With a hot tub made with in the USA like a Nordic from an Authorized Dealer like Pool and Spa Connection you will get years of satisfaction and performance.
Please feel free to comment here and we look forward to your responses.
Thank you - The Team at Pool and Spa Connection!
Posted on Mon, May 09, 2011 @ 10:35 AM
If you are like me you want your hot tub or spa water to be nicely fresh and clean. Many folks really don't understand how and why this is so important with a hot tub so hopefully we can help you today!
A hot tub is about 5 times larger than a regular old size bath tub but has many more people per gallon than a bath tub. In a bath tub you drain it after each use but a hot tub you recirculate the water. The job of the filter and the chemicals to keep the water clear, clean and safe.
Hot water needs to be carefully taken care of to keep it becoming out of balance and unsanitary. One person can perspire as much as 16 oz in a 15 minute time period at 102 degrees. This is why it is very important to understand spa maintenance and chemical treatments.
Spa filter maintenance - is taking the time to rinse the filter every 30 days to remove any debris in the ribs. We also like to recommend spraying it with a cleaner such as Kleen it or soaking it in a spa filter cleaning solution such as Spa Filter Cleaner.
Water sanitization - Spa water needs to be sanitized with either Chlorine or Bromine which are the most popular sanitizers for spas and hot tubs. Chlorine granules can be added to the water with the jets running to kill germs and bacteria and make the water clean, clear and safe. Bromine granules or tablets can be used to sanitize a hot tub and work well in wide pH ranges.
Shock or Oxidization - you must shock a spa to burn off waste such as chloramines which contains ammonia and other undesirable compounds plus bather waste and oils. It is best to shock a spa after each use to keep it fresh and clean plus the water will smell great.
Spa water balance - spa water needs to be balanced by first testing the water either by yourself or here a the Pool and Spa Connection. You will want to test and adjust the pH, alkalinity, calcium plus for metals such as copper and iron. Adjust these chemicals into range which will make sure the sanitizers work plus the water will be clear. This is also important to keep the spa shell, pumps, heater, and jets working properly. Water that is out of balance will severely affect your spa's equipment and can violate your spa's warranty so have it tested and adjusted.
Summary - taking care of your spa's water balance plus sanitizing and shocking the spa water in addition to keeping the filter clean will ensure you have a safe and clean hot tub for years of fun and enjoyment. Please feel free to contact us at our store or through our website as we look forward to helping you.
Sincerely,
The team at the Pool and Spa Connection!
Posted on Thu, Feb 24, 2011 @ 10:41 AM
Many folks have found that using a hot tub in winter time is one of the most wonderful times of year to enjoy their spa.
Using a spa or hot tub in the winter is wonderful as the warm swirling water helps loosen up tight muscles and painful joints. Many people have more pain in the winter time as the cold weather seems to cause their arthritis and bursytis to flare up.
Joint pain in the hips back neck and shoulders are very common during the winter months when the temperature drops and it is damp outside.
A warm soak in a hot tub also helps the blood flow to sore joints improving the reduction of built up lactic acid. This is another reason it feels so good!
The muscle relaxing and joint loosening benefits of hot tubs help those with depression, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Tendonitis, and Scoliosis.
People that soak in a hot tub or spa find it really helps them relax and get a deeper nights sleep and fall asleep faster.
So with all these benefits Hot Tubs should be a part of every house as an appliance that is a must. In Greenville and Spartanburg South Carolina we get cold weather that really is conducive to the use of a Hot Tub.
Please let us know what you think?
The team at Pool and Spa Connection
Posted on Thu, Feb 24, 2011 @ 10:19 AM
A beautiful Morning to warm up in a Hot Tub!
We just received a fantastic testimonial from a customer that purchased a hot tub for his lovely wife. She suffers from arthritis that has severely hampered her quality of life and he wanted her to get some relief with a new Hot Tub. These folks purchased an Nordic Impulse Dp which is a round unit with Dual Therapy massage system.
Here is the testimonial
Harry: "We have had our spa for just over three weeks now and I thought I would let you know that we love it"! "My wife has really gotten a lot of relief from her arthritis pain and actually is singing at the dinner table, something she has not done in years"! "Tonight she made the comment that no one over 55 years of age should be without a hot tub". "It has been very fulfilling for me to have been able to make a difference in her quality of life and I want to thank you for helping me do just that"!
"As for me, well I was ready to write you the first day just because the installation went so smoothly". "Your staff did a stellar job and continue to do so with their advice and help that made a first time owner look like a pro. I have also enjoyed the healing effect of hydrotherapy and after an AM spa just float into work and have energy to exercise after".
"Finally, I have to say that taking that 20 minutes every evening away from phones, computers, TV and the dogs has given my wife and I a delightful forum for quality time with each other".
Sincerely
Blair R., J
We suggested to use a Nordic Hot Tub in the morning as we know that as we get older we start waking up feeling stiff and sore in our joints. By spending just 15 to 20 minutes in the Hot Tub in the morning we allow our joints to warm up and the blood to rush around the joints. This really helps the joints loosen up and increases our comfort and mobility.
Also by using a Hot Tub in the morning we have a chance to relax our mind and clarify our thoughts for the day which is very healing in itself.
Our day gets a much better start if our mind and body feel good with a clear and healthy start. If you own a Hot Tub and have a story to tell about your experiences with the meditative and healing effects of sitting in hot swirling water to start your day, please share it with us here!
If you are considering purchasing a hot tub you may want to consider that you can get much more value from using your hot tub not just at night but in the morning also.
Please feel free to post your comments as we look forward to sharing your stories!.
Thank you,
The Team at the Pool and Spa Connection.