For a newbie owning a spa, there are so many important things to know. Take for example the kind of spa and hot tubs out there, which varies depending on the heater that you use, as well as the water that you use.

Here are some basic heating tips for your spa.

1. Use an econo-mode and turn the thermometer to whichever you deem comfortable so that you will be able to save energy. You can turn it up before you get in.
2. Use test strips in order to adjust the chemical levels of your spa and your bath tub. Compare these strips with the chart that comes in the container. Practice makes perfect and soon enough, you will notice that you can manage your spa by yourself. You don’t need an expert to do the work for you.
3. Make sure that the cover is tight on your spa in order to prevent letting out the heat. The newer the cover, the better its insulation will be. This will also help you cut back on the energy bill.
4. You have to condition the spa or the hot tub at least once a month. This prolongs the life by protecting it from elements like the suns rays. It also prevents the vinyl from cracking and hardening.
5. Leave the heater of your hot tub on all the time. This equips the circulating pumps and it allows the circulation of the water to take place. It also prevents the water from building up. The algae are also filtered and it cleans the water.
6. Wipe the spa with polish in order to give it a protective coat. After cleaning the filer, make sure that all debris has been removed.

Gas-fueled heaters vs. Electric heaters

Now if you’re thinking of getting new water heater for your spa, you might ask yourself whether you should get the gas-fueled heater or the electric heater. The natural gas seems to be more than half of the water heaters and electricity heats what is left behind. A minor percentage of heaters burn up the propane, kerosene or oil. Some use solar collectors or wood heat in order to heat the water.

The key is to check whether natural gas is there. If yes, then the water heater must be gas-fueled. Electricity heaters are only considered when natural gas isn’t available, making it impossible for the water to run through the roof and conduct heat through the combustion emissions. Take note that gas is faster and cheaper in heating water. So propane, oil and kerosene aren’t as convenient as gas.

If you have a water heater that is electric and you want to make the most out of the economy by using propane or natural gas, then check whether your electric heater is capable of extracting the existing heat in the water. You can do this by turning the heater on in the storage tank. You will see that there is a heating unit that is mounted through the wall. You do not need a bent. It is already connected to the tank and the water line. The gas is directly piped through the new heating system. The unit is then three times the capacity of an electric water heater.

If you are a proud owner of a spa or a hot tub, you should also know that there are two kinds of gas logs.

1. Liquid Propane is a gas that has more carbon compared to natural gas. It burns three times because it is thrice hotter than the latter. This is the very reason why LP Gas tanks must be placed outside the house.
2. Natural Gas is lighter than air and it dissipates once it has been released. It doesn’t burn as fast when compared to the other gases. It is also cheaper. This must be piped to an appliance.

Vinyl hot tub covers typically are treated with UV, cold crack, and mildew inhibitors.  These treatments help preserve the life of hot tub covers at the same time the cover preserves the life of your spa.

Deterring mold is a very important part in protecting the life of hot tub covers because mold makes them susceptible to wear and horrible smells.  There is nothing worse than a smelly hot tub cover.

You can get hot tub covers custom made to your own spa, or just choose from the many options there are available to you.  If you live in an area of extreme weather temperatures, you may want to look into purchasing a thicker, more durable cover.  But for most people, a typical vinyl hot tub cover will suffice.  They are strong enough, and unless you are expecting heavy snow or rainfall, this type of cover will work for you.

Aside from the fact that hot tub covers protect the inner-workings of your hot tub, they also protect it from plant life, mold, insects, and prevent animals and children from falling in.  A lot of spa covers have locking mechanisms that add to the protection they provide.Taking care of your hot tub cover.

You not only want your hot tub cover to protect your spa, you also want to protect the cover from wear. Hot tub covers that are well kept and cleaned regularly will benefit you greatly and will save you money over the long haul. Hot tub covers aren’t difficult to maintain, but if you want them to last, there are some things you should know about how to protect them.

Use a quality UVA/UVB vinyl protectant four or five times a year. Do not use protectants that have petroleum or alcohol in them, which will damage the vinyl on hot tub covers. If you choose to use bromine, use as little as possible and make sure to wipe the surface of the cover down very well. You don’t want gas from the strong chemical to get stuck beneath the underside of the cover, which will make it brittle and wear it out. Make sure to leave your hot tub cover open for a half-hour jet cycle just to clear out the system and make sure no such gases are caught inside the spa.

One thing that destroys hot tub covers (or at least makes them ridiculously heavy) is seepage of water getting into the foam core. The foam core has a plastic covering that you don’t want to get punctured. If it does get punctured, water will begin to seep into the very dry core of the cover and it may mold and will definitely get heavier. To fix the problem of water getting into your hot tub covers core, use clear packaging tape to patch up any holes or tears in the plastic covering. Hot tub covers tend to sag after a few years of use and after water seeps into the inner core, which will happen over time. You can take the inner core out of hot tub covers and flip it over. This should reverse any sagging.

If you do this every six months as well as check the inner plastic seal for holes, then you shouldn’t have to look for hot tub covers anymore. Yours will last for years

How to Keep your hot tub cover looking New

Hot tub covers, as well as the actual hot tub you own, can be quite an investment.  It is often worth it to spend a little more and get a higher quality cover that will last longer, rather than getting a cheaper one that may start to fray, crack, or become waterlogged sooner.

There are a few things you can do to keep your hot tub cover looking brand spanking new and preserve it so you can use it for a lot longer.

Clean your cover using soap and warm water.  Hot tubs create chemical residue that will damage the outer lining of your cover as time goes by.  If you keep it clean, say by cleaning it twice a month, you will help preserve it.

If you protect the outer lining of the spa cover, this will help prevent water from getting past it and into the inner lining and the foam core because you will help eliminate cracking.  As soon as water gets to foam core of the cover, you are well on your way to needing a new one.  This is when things start to go downhill.

Beneath the outer lining, there is generally an inner lining made of plastic that directly surrounds the foam core.  Check this lining for rips and tears and also see if there is anything inside there that may cause friction against it and possibly rip it.

Cover your hot tub cover.  If you put something–tarps work well–over the entire hot tub, you can help prevent sun damage to your cover.  During times when you are away or aren’t using your spa for extended periods of time, consider doing this.

It will help you preserve your investment.