Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a spa cost to run?
In the Mid Atlantic states, the cost to run a FULLY-FOAMED insulated 7 foot spa located outdoors that's used three times a week for twenty minutes at a time over a one year period is approximately $20.00 monthly.  You can expect to pay $100.00 or more monthly to operate a cheaper, lesser quality spa.  Of course, if the spas are located indoors, the monthly cost is less.

How long can you stay in a spa?
Length of stay in a spa per use depends on the water temperature you select.  At 90 to 98 degrees, for approximately 45 minutes, at 104 degrees, 15 to 20 minutes.
How hot does the water get? Not any hotter than 104 degrees.  In the summer most folks set the temperature from 80 to 99 degrees while in the dead of winter, or for therapy, between 98 to 104 degrees.  Modern spas use a solid state thermostat with a digital display to maintain temperature automatically.

How often does the water require changing?
Changing the water in the spa is dependent upon how often it is used and the bather loads (how many persons are using it). The water needs to be changed when is cloudy and doesn't clear up.  That's about every three or four months.  Of course, if you're having a party with a lot of folks in and out, you might have to change the water at your earliest opportunity after the party.  And remember it is cheaper to change water than adding chemicals. The average cost of water is 26 cents per hundred gallons resulting in a total cost of water for a 400-gallon spa to be about one dollar.  Changing the water when it is needed eliminates the need to buy costly chemicals. Your body secretes 2 ounces of body oil and 4 ounces of sweat in 20 minutes at a water temperature of approximately 100 to 104 degrees

How do you change the water?
That's easy, most spas have a drain valve on the bottom.  You open it and the water drains out using the force of gravity.  If you want it drained faster, use a submersible pump. Filling the spa requires only an ordinary garden hose.


How often should the filter be changed?
Every time you use your spa, your body secretes 4 ounces of sweat and 2 ounces of body oil at 100 to 104 degrees.  Your spas filtration system captures those secretions.  So you can see why we recommend changing your filter yearly.  A clean filter guarantees full efficiency of heat and jet action.  It also provides less stress on the pumps.  Even though a filter make look clean, it can be contaminated with body oils and calcium resulting in restricted flow and poor performance.  Make sure your spa has a high quality filtration system that's easy to maintain and is large enough to do its vital job.

What is an Ozonator? 
High quality spas are retrofitable for ozonators.  The ozonator adds ozone to the water.  When trace amounts of ozone is added to your spa water it kills bacteria 3000 times faster than chlorine or bromine.  The ozonator means you'll buy 85% less disinfectant chemicals and eliminate chemical odor while doubling your spas water life.  It is totally safe since the amount of ozone produced is far below OSHA standards and is completely automatic. 

What about electrical connections?
There are spas available with 110V plugs, but most spas are hard wired at 220V which means there isn't a plug; the wire goes directly into the spa's junction box. The cost of hard wiring a 220V spa for a 50 linear foot run from the main panel ranges from $250 for a do- it -yourselfer, to $495 or more for a certified electrical contractor (recommended).  For longer runs and more complex installations, expect to pay more.

What about a permit?
Spas are self-contained so in most instances there is no building or other permit required other than the electrical permit.

Can they be locked?
Sure!  Most spas have a hard cover that is lockable and some high quality spas have a lock out feature on the controls so the kids aren't a problem.

Will a fence be required?
Generally speaking NO. Most communities accept the safety locking cover as fulfilling the B.O.C.A. (Building Officials & Code Administrators) safety code requirements, so fencing is not necessary.

What about service?
Depending on the manufacturer, most spas have a 1 to 3 year warranty on parts & labor and a 3 year warranty on the shell of the spa.  Higher quality spas (manufactured by Sundance) offer a parts and labor warranty for 5 years and warranty the shell for 10 years!  It is important to remember to be cautious of manufacturers offering warranties for 30 years (or lifetime in some cases),  because they are usually pro-rated warranties.  For example, the first 5 years are covered 100%, but the next 5 years you'll pay 50% of a so-called list cost (Yes, in most cases that's a much higher price than you originally paid for the spa, a lot higher!) and the remaining years 75% of the so-called retail price.  You'll end up with a warranty repair that costs more than the price you paid for the spa.

Can I try before I buy?
You bet!  By all means get in the spa before you buy.  Climb in a dry spa to see if the seating is comfortable.  Better still, put on your swimsuit and sit in the one of your choice while it has water and is operational.  Take a wet test, that way you'll know for sure how well the spa of your choice performs.  Remember that you'll be living with your selection for years to come.  Avoid any dealer or home improvement store that does not encourage or allow a wet test before you buy.  Were constantly amazed by folks that buy their spa from videotape… it's a safe bet you don't buy your shoes before trying them on.  Remember that you're going to be living with your spa far longer than you'll wear a pair of shoes.  It is essential to make sure the spa fits you and your lifestyle!  Its a buying decision you'll be living with for decades.

Are spas safe?
YES!!! All spas manufactured in the United States are either E.T.L. or UL approved for electrical safety and should be wired with a G.F.I. (that's a ground fault interrupter), a quick acting safety device that senses a fluctuation in electrical current that trips to instantly shut off all power to the spa. Entrapment: all spas offered by All Seasons Pool and Spa are equipped with 100% safe anti-vortex suction fittings, making it impossible for entrapment to occur for even the smallest child.

Should I buy a fully-foamed insulated spa?
Sure, if you want a spa that costs 80% less to operate, is 5 times less likely to spring a leak and offers quieter operation, you'll insist on a fully-foamed insulated spa.  Your operating cost is lower because a significant amount of heat can escape from the spa's pipes; fully-foamed spas prevent that type of heat loss.  Leakage of pipes is prevented because the foam actually supports the pipe eliminating stress on the plumbing connections.  Moreover, the fully foamed spa operates much quieter than cheaper spas using no insulation.

Do fully-foamed insulated spas cost more? 
No!  But not fully insulating the spa with foam means you're not getting the benefits that insulated spas can provide.   So beware of gimmicks that claim dead air space, spray on foam, and various type of so-called heat blankets are as efficient as the fully foamed insulated spas. Sundance Spas have up to R-64 insulation rating; most attics have only an R-20 and the wall of your house only R-13.  

Is the horsepower of the spa's motors important? 
In this instance, more is not necessarily better!  You'll see cheaper, lesser quality spas bragging about the horse power of their motors leading you to believe the motor horsepower is critical to the spa's performance.  Its another sales gimmick, so watch out for that one.  The performance of a spa is based on these four conditions (don't let anyone tell you differently)

• The motor
• Pump assembly design
• The size of the pipe
• Design of the plumbing network 

Quality spa manufacturers use high flow and avoid any 90-degree plumbing so that your spa has the ultimate in flow.  The cheap, lesser quality spas utilize a lot of 90 and 45 degree bends in their plumbing network so they need a bigger motor to get the water through.  While doing that, the cheap spas create a tremendous amount of what is called hydraulic back pressure resulting in poor jet performance. 
Proper sizing of the pipes and location of the spas jets.

Are more jets better? 
Again, more isn't always better.  Adding jets with small orifices (that's a fancy name for the size of the hole) is a well-known sales gimmick for less quality spas.  The problem with small jet orifices are how they feel on you body.  Most folks report that they experience a pinching feeling as a result of the water from small jets hitting their body.  So, look for jets that are positioned according to where you want or need therapy and check out the size of their orifice. Again, more isn't always better.