subject: The Costs Involved With Getting a Hot Tub [print this page] The Costs Involved With Getting a Hot Tub
Hot Tub Ownership Costs to Consider Buying a hot tub is an investment in health, relaxation and enjoying the company of family, friends and relatives.
Spa ownership elevates the use of the garden area and helps to justify "stay-cations" or act a prestigious status symbol. In this day and age, most consumers purchase a hot tub to relax sore muscles and to provide a retreat to unwind and relax.
The feeling of soaking your troubles away and massaging tight muscles is great as long as you don't create financial troubles by buying a hot tub in the first place. To that end, you will want to make sure the demand for hot tub use is weighed by the acquisition and running costs of the spa. Some costs to consider when buying a portable hot tub spa include:
Actual cost of purchase
Tax on the spa
Duty and Customs Clearance Fees if importing the spa
Transport to move the spa to your home
Transport to move the spa from your curbside to the actual spa site
Crane costs where access is limited
Other delivery charges
Transport insurance in case of damage
Other expenses related to setting up the site include:
Concrete foundation or pad
Site Levelling so spa water surface is level
Unmounting of fence boards, gates and other access prior to delivery
Electrical hookup including correct gauge wire, breaker in the correct length
GFCI and exterior shutoff - disconnect as required by code
Water supply (usually a garden hose)
Other delivery charges
Once the unit is installed, there are the running maintenance costs including a replacement spa filter every year (varies in cost depending on spa model, usually around $35), spa chemicals such as bromine or chlorine and other spa accessories such as spa fragrances and cleaning materials.
The heating costs of a spa vary greatly depending on many factors including how energy-efficient the spa model is, what thickness of spa cover is used, how often the spa is used, what temperature the spa is kept at, how often the spa is refilled, how many gallons of water the spa holds and needs to heat along with a host of other factors.
Hot tub accessories can increase spa use by making it more enjoyable including the addition of aromatherapy spa fragrances to the water, using a cover lifter to aid in cover removal, and buying a thick winter cover that can keep the warm air in during the cold Canadian winters.
Spa ownership costs can be reduced by:a) getting a great deal on your spa saving thousands (buy it factory direct if possible)b) maintaining your spa water so you don't need all of those expensive specialty chemicals by simply watching the ph level and sanitizer levelc) using an installed ozonator that can help reduce the amount of chlorine or bromine neededd) maintaining the ph level of the spa to avoid premature wear of o-rings, seals and gaskets in the plumbinge) completely draining and properly winterizing the spa if it is not going to be used for several months during the winterBy taking some time to become familiar with all of the different costs associated with buying a hot tub, there will be little need to be surprised with additional expenses. Much of the money can be saved up front by shopping around and making sure you get the best possible deal on a spa. Other funds can be saved by properly maintaining the spa.http://www.articlesbase.com/accessories-articles/the-costs-involved-with-getting-a-hot-tub-3591170.html
