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How to prep your hot tub for winter
How to prep your hot tub for winter
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Written by Kimberly Giraldo
Updated over a week ago

Your hot tub is an outstanding addition to your home and family, and proper maintenance will ensure you get to enjoy it for years to come. This maintenance includes making the necessary adjustments to keep your spa operating through the cold winter months or, alternatively, shutting it down during the cold months. We’ll discuss both possibilities below.

Closing Down for Winter
Hot tub owners often report that they most enjoy using their spas during the winter. However, if your area is bracing for severe inclement weather or you’re leaving town for an extended period of time, you may wish to shut down your spa entirely.

  1. Power Down
    You’ll be emptying your spa of water and performing additional maintenance on it, so shut off the heater and turn off the spa.

  2. Empty the Spa
    Drain your hot tub of all water. Empty the air blowers, if your spa is equipped with these.

  3. Clean Filters
    Remove your filters and place them in a cleaning solution. You’ll want to keep them in a dry place for as long as they’re out of the hot tub. Take this opportunity to clean the filter basket, as well.

  4. Loosen Fittings
    If your pump housing has drain plugs, open them. You may wish to rent or purchase a shop vac to remove additional water left inside these fittings.

  5. Blow Jets
    Water can get trapped in your jet plumbing and damage your hot tub if it freezes. Make sure this is drained, whether manually or by a shop vac.

  6. Clean the Shell
    Your hot tub is empty, so give the entire basin a good scrubbing with a spa cleanser.

  7. Cover Your Tub
    Place your cover over your hot tub and lock it down. It will protect your spa during the winter. When spring arrives, you can refill your hot tub and begin enjoying it again.

Operating Your Spa in Winter
If you are concerned about the cost of operating your spa and its heater in the winter, you can relax; if properly maintained, keeping your hot tub operating is surprisingly cost-efficient. Here are a few simple steps you can follow to prepare your hot tub for winter.

  1. Drain/Clean Tub
    You’ll still want to give your spa a cleaning session. Drain your hot tub and give it a thorough scrubbing, including the vents and filters.

  2. Refill Your Spa
    Fill your hot tub with water.

  3. Activate Freeze Protection
    If you live in a very cold climate, run your hot tub in F3 “Standard” mode. A sensor will monitor the climate and periodically run the pump when the temperature drops below a certain level, preventing anything from freezing.

  4. Keep Your Spa Covered
    If you aren’t using your hot tub, keep the cover firmly on it. This will keep the heat in, preventing you from running the heater continuously and saving you money in the long run.

There’s nothing quite like watching snow drift down from the comfort of your spa. Why not keep it operating in the winter and enjoy it?

Now that you know how to maintain your spa through the winter or how to properly shut it down, you’ll be able to properly manage its care. As long as you look after it, your hot tub will function optimally.

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