Why would you ask the question should I winterize my hot tub? You would have to live in a very cold climate to even consider closing down your hot tub.
Hot tubs and spa pools are designed to be used all year round, even in the coldest winters. In fact the winter season is when they get used the most. A hot tub or spa has a water heater to heat up the water to 100F (38C) so that you can soothe and warm your body in a cool climate. A heated spa provides many health benefits by increasing blood circulation to the areas that are causing aches, pain, inflammation and restrictive moment.
The only reason why you would need to winterize a hot tub is if you are going away on vacation or just don’t use the tub anymore. Hot tubs can be winterized with or without the water. Read on to discover the best solution for your hot tub or spa pool.
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Should I Winterize My Hot Tub?
Are you going to use your hot tub or spa during the winter season? If you are going to use it at least once a week or even only a few times during the month there is no need to bother with winterizing it. Simply turn down the temperature to the minimum setting to reduce the energy consumption. Cover the tub tightly to keep it clean, safe and warm.
We don’t normally recommend winterizing a hot tub. The cost and effort to properly winterize a tub outweighs the advantage of saving energy. Hot tubs should be left on permanently to keep the water filtered, circulated and ready for use. Unless you live in an area where water in a hot tub will freeze I don’t recommend winterizing your hot tub.
Should I drain my hot tub for the winter
Hot tubs are energy efficient especially when the tub is inside or only partially exposed to the outside weather. Even when a hot tub is fully exposed to cold weather it retains lots of heat when an insulated cover is installed. A spa can maintain its temperature between uses while consuming little electricity. A hot tub does not use enough electricity to justify the cost of winterizing the tub.
What to do with a hot tub in winter
However, if you plan to not use your hot tub during the winter season (or for many seasons) then you can winterize the tub. Perhaps the tub is at a vacation home that you are not visiting this winter or you live in a very cold climate. Read on to discover the best way to winterize your hot tub.
How to Winterize a Hot Tub or Spa Pool
The most popular method on how to winterize a hot tub or spa pool to survive the freezing conditions of winter requires draining the water and sealing the tub. The most important thing is to flush water out of the plumbing pipes because it will freeze and expand causing damage to the pipes. If you live in a warmer climatic area there is no need to drain all the plumbing pipes but it’s good practice to do it anyway.
The way to correctly winterize a hot tub or spa pool is to shut down the filtration system and completely drain the tub. All water needs to be removed from the plumbing pipes and equipment to prevent damage from freezing. Thoroughly clean the hot tub and cover to prevent water entering the tub.
- Switch off the power to the spa.
- Completely drain the hot tub. Direct the water into a stormwater drain.
- Flush the water from the plumbing pipes. Water can freeze and crack pipes. Use a shop vac to blow the water from the jets back into the tub.
- Thoroughly clean and rinse the tub.
- Remove and clean the filters.
- Securely fasten the hot tub lid into position. Ensure the cover is air tight and water tight.
Please read our article on How to Drain & Clean a Hot Tub
Another method is to add some antifreeze to the empty spa pipes to ensure any excess water in the pipes does not freeze.
Add Antifreeze to a Hot Tub
The second method is to keep the water and add antifreeze to the tub to prevent damage from freezing.
We do not recommend this method as the hot tub may become full of algae and bacteria by the end of the winter. It is better to empty the tub and clean it ready for the spring season.
There is a special non-toxic propylene glycol antifreeze that is used in hot tubs. Do not use motor vehicle radiator antifreeze in your hot tub. Motor vehicle antifreeze is toxic and may damage the lining of your tub.
- Do not add sanitizer to the tub for 3 days prior. The water should be chemical free before adding antifreeze.
- Switch off the power to the hot tub.
- Pour the recommended amount (read the label) of antifreeze into a funnel that directs the antifreeze into the jets and plumbing pipes.
- Switch on the power and run the pump for a few minutes to circulate the antifreeze through the filtration system and plumbing.
- Switch off the pump and power. Unplug the cable.
- Securely fasten the hot tub lid into position. Ensure the cover is air tight and water tight.
How do you flush antifreeze out of a hot tub?
Winter is over and you want to use the hot tub again. However, the hot tub is full of antifreeze. You need to circulate the water and drain the tub. Thoroughly clean it out and refill.
- Remove the cover.
- Add a dose of shock and run the pump for an hour.
- Completely drain the hot tub (consult your manual). Direct the water into a stormwater drain.
- Flush the water from the plumbing pipes.
- Thoroughly clean and rinse the tub.
- Remove and clean the filters. If worn replace the filter cartridges.
- Refill with fresh water.
- Add sanitizer and run the pump to circulate the water.
- Balance the water chemistry.
- Now you’re ready to go.
How much does it cost to winterize a hot tub?
The cost to empty, clean and seal the tub for the winter is minimal. You will save power and chemicals while you are not using the hot tub.
However, when you open the tub again you need to refill, add sanitizer, balance the water chemistry and heat up the water from cold. Hot tubs cost money to maintain and operate. Whether you close the tub for the winter or keep it operating doesn’t make much difference to saving money.
How to Properly Fill Your Hot Tub with Water
Do you have a swimming pool?
Please read our post on how to close your pool for the winter
Conclusion
Spa pools and hot tubs are perfect for relaxing your tired, aching joints and muscles during a cold winter day. Winter is the season when hot tubs are in constant use so we don’t get asked how to winterize a hot tub very often.
Even though we don’t recommend winterizing hot tubs and spa pools there may be the requirement to shut down the tub and preserve it for winter. I hope we have answered all your questions and concerns with this post. If you need to know more send us an email or add a comment below.