Hot tubs typically do not require a lot of additional accessories to function well. You do not really need toys or slides to make your hot tub any more enjoyable.
Still, there is one accessory that can prove beneficial in terms of improving how your spa operates and making it easier to maintain. The accessory in question is the hot tub cover.
In this article, we will talk more about the accessory and how it helps your hot tub. We will also give you pointers for finding a high-quality cover.
With the introductions out of the way, let us get to the benefits offered by a spa cover.
Why You Should Keep Your Hot Tub Covered
Purchasing a cover can help you in more ways than one. Included below are the reasons why that accessory is an important purchase.
It Keeps Kids and Pets Out of the Hot Tub
You will not be able to keep a close eye on your hot tub all the time. If your kids or pets are playing in your yard, they may accidentally fall into your open spa.
A proper cover can prevent your child or your pet from falling into the water and possibly drowning or getting seriously injured. Make sure you have the cover in place whenever the tub is not in use to eliminate the chances of those unfortunate accidents ever happening.
It Makes Cleaning and Maintaining the Hot Tub Easier
Covers are also helpful because they help preserve water quality.
You must get the chemical balance and the temperature of the water just right to get the most out of your soak. That is easier to do with a cover because you can just keep it on as you are getting ready to take a dip.
Furthermore, a proper cover will also keep out debris like small rocks, leaves, and twigs. You will not have to skim your hot tub constantly to pick out items that could jam the jets.
It Protects Your Hot Tub from Serious Damage
One more reason why a cover is a smart purchase is that it safeguards your investment. You obviously cannot bring your tub into your home during a storm.
The best thing you can do is to put the cover on and hope it keeps any foreign objects at bay. Aside from storms, covers can also protect your investment from snow, strong winds, and other forces of nature.
What Factors Should You Consider When Shopping for a Hot Tub Cover?
Now that we have established the value of having a quality cover, it is time to talk about shopping for one. This section will focus on the factors that matter most when you are deciding which cover to purchase.
Fit
The cover you purchase will not be any good if it fits poorly over your hot tub. The good news is that you can purchase a cover that is customized to fit your hot tub perfectly. Bring a professional over to handle the measurements to ensure that you will end up with the right-sized cover.
Type of Cover
Consumer Affairs notes that there are four types of spa covers available.
First off, you have the soft or vinyl covers. These are easy to apply and are quite affordable. However, they do not offer much in the way of protection which is why they are best reserved for indoor tubs.
In stark contrast to the soft covers, the hard-shell items offer a lot in terms of durability and protection. They are harder to move around and apply but they are ideal choices for outdoor tubs.
Solar tub covers are sought after because they can help you trim your energy expenses. If the sun’s out, the water inside your tub will warm up if a solar cover is on.
Seasonal covers envelop the whole tub and they excel at shielding the hot tub from freezing temperatures.
Foam Core Density
You should also consider the density of the foam core when deciding which cover to buy. Denser foam cores offer better insulation. If you want to be more energy-efficient, make sure the cover you are getting has that dense foam core.
Who Makes the Best Spa Covers?
We at Ajax Pool and Spa Aspen can offer the Smartop Spa Cover and we believe that it is the superior all-around option for any home-based hot tub. Our cover is customized to fit over your hot tub, capable of withstanding harsh weather, and is among the most stylish options available today.
Feel free to check it out when you are looking for covers.
If you want to broaden your search, The Spruce has highlighted some of the other quality options that are currently available.
Where You Should Buy Hot Tub Covers
Whether you’re looking for a new hot tub, a new cover, or any other related accessory, we at Ajax Pool and Spa Aspen are ready to offer our assistance. Contact us today to find out more about our wide selection of products!
A hot tub can be a terrific addition to any home. You will be able to use it for relaxing, entertaining guests, and even getting a quick massage.
If you have space to spare on your property, having a hot tub placed there would be a great idea.
Of course, available space is not the only consideration that matters here. For many homeowners, the bigger barrier is the actual cost.
In this article, we will focus on all matters pertaining to outdoor hot tub prices. We will highlight certain factors that could make a difference if you are trying to buy a new home spa at a lower price. We will also discuss how much it will cost to operate one long-term.
How Quality Affects Hot Tub Prices
The main factor that affects pricing is the quality of the item itself. As you would expect, the higher quality tubs are on the high end of the pricing bracket while those that are not quite on the same level are more affordable.
Retirement Living divides the type of tub into four different pricing brackets.
Entry-Level Hot Tubs
First off, you have what is known as the entry-level tubs. These are often rotationally molded with a matte finish. They are not flashy, and the jets are weak, but they still deliver a decent approximation of the soothing experience you expect to receive from a hot tub.
Entry-level tubs can approach nearly $7,000 in purchase price.
Value-Priced Hot Tubs
A step up from your entry-level tubs is the value-priced options. This time around, the jets are stronger, and the exterior of the tub may even be fashioned out of wood. Some of the tub’s interior components may not last that long, however.
Value-priced tubs usually fall in the range of $7,000 to $9,000.
Premium Hot Tubs
If you want powerful jets, flashy interior lighting, and advanced control features, then you will likely be interested in purchasing a premium tub. Along with those high-end features, premium tubs are also lauded for being energy efficient. Your electric bill will not skyrocket if you opt for this kind of purchase.
To get a premium tub for your home, expect to spend somewhere in the range of $10,000 to $13,000.
Luxury Hot Tubs
Last up, we have luxury options. These are the tubs that come loaded with all the newest features, the most powerful jets, and they look very stylish as well. Arguably the best part about owning luxury tubs though is that they are a breeze to maintain because of their built-in features.
For those considering a luxury hot tub, they are usually priced at $13,000 and go higher from there.
How Size Affects Hot Tub Prices
The size of the unit will also play a huge role in determining its final price.
According to Home Advisor, the tubs designed for two to three people are priced somewhere in the range of $2,000 to $7,000. If you are talking about 4-5 person tubs, then the price range moves up to $2,000 to $12,000. 6-7 person tubs have a similarly large range, going from $3,000 all the way up to $15,000.
The big tubs capable of hosting up to 10 people are usually priced in the range of $5,000 to $20,000.
In-Ground or Above-Ground
One more factor that can affect how much you can expect to pay is whether it is an in-ground or above-ground model.
You can save more by installing an above-ground tub. You can get above-ground spas for $2,000 and they do not cost that much to get professionally installed.
In-ground models are typically more expensive. You will likely have to set aside at least $10,000 to have your new hot tub installed.
What Is the Average Cost of Adding a Hot Tub to Your Home?
The average cost of adding a new tub to your home is right around $6,000. You are likely looking at an entry-level tub at that price and if you want it installed in the ground, it will have to be on the lower end of the price range for the entry-level options.
Those looking to save as much money as they can on their purchase can add an above-ground spa to their home for around $2,000.
Now, if you are looking to splurge, there are models that approach $30,000 in terms of price. Add installation costs to that and you could spend close to $35,000.
How Much Will It Cost to Operate a Hot Tub Long-Term?
The monthly operating cost of your tub depends on what model you are using.
Older models that are not equipped with energy-efficient components can be a bit costly. They may add as much as $50 to your monthly electric bill assuming normal usage.
The newer models outfitted with the energy-efficient features may cost less than $1 per day to operate. At the end of the month, they may only add about $23 to your electric bill.
Adding a new hot tub to your home does not necessarily have to be a bank-breaking expenditure. With the wealth of options available, you should be able to find a tub that works for your home and makes sense for your bank account. Allow us at Ajax Pool & Spa Aspen to help you find that hot tub by getting in touch with us today.
