Hot Tubs

[WilsonFourTwo]

I just bought a house that includes an outdoor hot tub. Frankly, I've never been a big hot tub fan and am on the fence as to what to do with it. I can only see using it sporadically.

My first concern (cause I'm a penny pinching cheapskate) is the cost. My understanding is that a typical hot tub will use around 350 kwh a month, which with my contract rate of $0.08 will be about $30. On top of that, I'm seeing chemical costs of around $40 per month, and annual maintenance activity costing about $100. Total annual ownership of about $900 - $1000.

My other concern (cause I'm incredibly lazy) is the maintenance itself. Am I going to be having to doing pH tests and add chemicals (more or less) every day? What other activities am I in for?

Am I completely crazy to think that this thing is more hassle than it's worth? Should I just drain and sell the thing?

[4X4]

I don't think you're crazy. A couple people I know have hot tubs, and they're neat at first, or even for awhile, if you're still in the party years. But then it doesn't get used for months, and you'll question why you're maintaining it.

If my house came with a hot tub, it'd be on kijiji before I unpacked.

[photon]

Totally agree, which is why I don't have one yet (and not sure if I will ever get one). If one doesn't use something, why have it.

EDIT: I wonder if they have stand alone swimming treadmills, those seem like they'd be more useful, good exercise. A lot more expensive than an elliptical though.

[Jacks]

Mine has been drained for a couple of years, they're a pain in the butt to maintain. If you're going to drain it you need to do it before winter to let the pipes dry out

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by photon

Totally agree, which is why I don't have one yet (and not sure if I will ever get one). If one doesn't use something, why have it.

EDIT: I wonder if they have stand alone swimming treadmills, those seem like they'd be more useful, good exercise. A lot more expensive than an elliptical though.

When I blew out my knee about 10 years ago, the Physio place WCB sent me to had one of these:

[MrMastodonFarm]

Everyone I've ever known with a hot tub used it a lot the first two weeks, a little less the next couple months then almost never after a year.

[Sammymydog1]

It boils down to (no pun intended) whether you are a hot tub person or not. If you've been around tubs enough times, be it at friends places or hotel, you should have a good idea if you are a tub person.

We have had a tub for several years and at our last three homes....I cant imagine not having one. This time of year it is once or twice a week & in the winter, more.... Kids & wife like it on occasion, but not nearly as much as myself.

The costs & maintenance are not nearly as bad as you might think, but if you are questioning that before you even take a dip, I suspect you are not a tub person!

[Northendzone]

See if you can rent out your place to film adult movies during the day. You will see that these bad boys don't cost money, they make money......

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

See if you can rent out your place to film adult movies during the day. You will see that these bad boys don't cost money, they make money......

Not if you intend to clean it properly.

[burn_this_city]

Like Sammy said, if you're a tub person and you use it a lot, it's worth it. If not, and the tub is fairly new, your best bet is to sell it before it falls apart.

[PsYcNeT]

Hot tubs help you save money if you're an alcoholic.

[GreatWhiteEbola]

I have had hot tubs for years, previous to moving to Calgary. I found them therapeutic especially after a day of skiing, they were awesome. The maintenance and increased utility fees were somewhat daunting.

I have been looking at the SpaBerry, I almost bought one at the Stampede.

[Nyah]

We're selling ours. We haven't used it in 4 years...the novelty of it wore off after a few months and it's damn expensive to run in the winter.

[Muta]

Move into a condo. Many have hot tubs, and someone else maintains it. A small portion of your condo fees go to maintaining it, yes... but you can use it whenever you want and never have to deal with it.

[username]

Depending upon the age and condition of the tub let me know if you plan to sell it. I've been thinking about upgrading the tub at my cabin.

I personally wouldn't want a tub in the city. It's great at a vacation home but I don't think I'd use it in Calgary.

[Bill Bumface]

I was in the exact same situation as you. Once you figure out the chemicals, the maintenance is really easy, especially if you never use it. I use mine once or twice a month, and the chemicals last forever. Now that I've got it figured out, I probably only test the water ever 2 months, and add chemcials maybe ever 3 months on average (I use one of the floaty things, so I fill that, the only other thing I ever have to do is dump some baking soda in there, don't get ripped off buying "alk-up").

You're right though, I'm paying like $15 per hot tub, which is a bit of a waste, but I'll just keep it until it dies as not moving a hot tub sounds like it's worth more than $15 a month to me... haha.

Oh, I also turn the heat down when I'm not using it. The down side means I need to turn it up a couple hours before use, but with how much I use it, it's not a big deal. I think it does help save a significant amount of power.

[Mccree]

We have one and the maintenance is not really as big of an issue as I thought it would be. My kids love going in the hot tub as they think it is a swimming pool so they use it a lot. I personally use it more in the winter, maybe 6 times a month or so.

As mentioned you are either a hot tub person or not.

[Canehdianman]

The best hot tub to have is at a buddy's house.

[Thor]

I had a hot tub at a house we lived in when I was 18-23. The BEST tool for getting in women's forest of love.

I have always loved hot tubs, so when I get one again I will use it regularly. My sister and her husband in Vancouver have a kick ass backyard with one, they are both into sports and they are now both 50+ and that hot tub is a life saver for them as they keep it like 42c and spend 20-30 mins a night in it.

I'd rather spend 2hrs at a lower temp but thats just me.

Moral of the story, hot tub for sex. Ty for listening.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by fotze

Thats why Muta's suggestion is all the more gross.

Oh, the stories I could tell.