Important Factors to Remember When Choosing an Electric Spa Heater
To create a relaxing hot tub experience, you'll want to ensure you have a quality spa heater. You can't usually relax in cold or even tepid water, and hot water might encourage better blood circulation as well as keep you warmer on those chilly off-season days. When you're ready to choose an electric spa heater, you might be overwhelmed by the choices and options, so note a few important factors to remember. This will ensure you opt for the right model and type for your particular needs.
1. Choosing voltage
Remember that you need to ensure that your home's electrical wiring will support the voltage requirements for a larger, more powerful heater. If you choose a 220 volt heater and your home's wiring is meant to only support 110 volts, you will see that the spa heater shuts down or trips a circuit every time it's used. Choose the voltage needed for the features the heater will support but which is also compatible with your home's current wiring, or be prepared to call an electrical contractor to install new wiring in your home or rewire the circuits. Upgraded wiring may be needed to support your choice for a larger spa heater, so be prepared for this expense.
2. Heat output
The size of a spa heater alone won't tell you how much water it can heat or what heat it can maintain, but look for the heat output rating instead. The heat output will tell you how much heat the unit can produce, either in BTU ratings or kilowatt. The BTU rating is British Thermal Unit, which is how furnace heat output is measured. Kilowatts tells you how much energy the unit uses to produce heat. You'll want to look for a high BTU rating or the largest number of kilowatts you can find if you appreciate a very warm spa, have a larger spa, or use your spa in a colder climate.
3. Material and thermostat
Copper and bronze are usually preferred as materials for a spa heater since they may be less of a risk for corrosion. If you do find a model with steel tubing and waterways, be sure the steel is powder coated for maximum protection. Look for a heater that allows you to adjust the temperature or thermostat, rather than just switching it on and off like a hot water heater; this can mean maximum enjoyment from your spa as you can make it warmer or cooler, depending on your preferences.
For more information, contact a local pool and spa company like Pool Solar & Spa.