Our list of do's and don’ts for using your hot tub in the winter

Winter is a great time of year to really get the most from your hot tub. Being immersed in warm bubbles is especially enjoyable when it’s cold outside and could even be therapeutic if you suffer from stiff muscles and joints at this time of year. However, using a hot tub in winter is different to the summer months – these are out dos and don’ts for getting the most from your experience.

• DO get a good winter cover. The more insulated the cover the more heat will be preserved inside and the less energy will be required to heat your hot tub.
• DO lock the cover. If you’ve invested in a proper winter cover then make sure it’s fully secured so that it’s not allowing any heat or steam to escape. If the cover is tightly shut it will keep your heating costs down and ensure you don’t have to keep topping up the water level.
• DON’T change the water if it’s really cold. Although you may have scheduled a water change for every 3-4 months if that day falls within a period when temperatures are really low then wait until they rise again. If you don’t then you risk your pipes freezing. If you absolutely must change the water do it in small amounts so that you’re refilling and reheating the water each time.
• DO turn the jets off in winter when you’re not in the tub. The air that comes through the jets will be cold and will bring the water temperature down. This means that your tub will have to work harder just to maintain the right temperature and your energy costs will rise.
• DON’T ignore the colder weather. Using the hot tub in winter can be a magical experience but you do have to make a few changes to the way that you use it. For example, make sure that you’re wearing sandals to get to and from the hot tub, as opposed to walking in bare feet on cold ground. Have towels and a robe handy for as soon as you get out and prioritise getting warm straight away.
• DON’T use snow to refill your hot tub. Even if all the equipment you need is packed away in a frozen shed, using snow just isn’t a good alternative. Not only is it likely to be full of mud and dirt but you’ll have to add a lot of chemicals to the snow water to deal with impurities.
• DO continue to take good care of the hot tub. This is a busy time of year for many of us and it would be easy to simply leave your hot tub and hope for the best. However, if you want to be able to use it right through the winter – and next summer too – you need to ensure you check it once a week, keeping adding the right water chemicals and stick to your maintenance schedule.

Using your hot tub in winter is a great way to get the most from it – as long as you know what to do and what to avoid.