How Does an Inflatable Hot Tub Work?

Inflatable hot tubs have become massively popular recently. If you are considering buying one then you may well be wondering how one works, how you have to look after it and what the similarities and differences are between an inflatable hot tub and a regular hard shell hot tub. If so then read on!

So how does an inflatable hot tub work? An inflatable hot tub is one that you can blow up with air, best done with a pump. It has all the necessary waterways and jets built-in. This means that it is portable and can be stored away when not in use. Inflatable hot tubs comes with a heater to heat the water and a pump to circulate it.

There is a large selection of inflatable hot tubs on the market with many different variations and specifications. Many consumers looking for an inflatable hot tub have a confusing job. There’s lots to bear in mind from getting the right size to the number of jets, not to mention decisions about whether or not to buy extra accessories as well.

How Inflatable Hot Tubs Work

One of the main advantages of inflatable hot tubs is that they are portable, and therefore they can be used anywhere there is an acceptable power supply. This is the main requirement alongside a sturdy, even surface on which you have to place the hot tub. It needs to be strong and stable as it needs to hold the weight of all the water, and also the weight of the people inside.

Generally speaking, people put inflatable hot tubs on lawns and patios/terraces. They are most probably going to be too heavy when filled with water for most decking areas. You can also put an inflatable hot tub inside if you prefer this. The great thang about inflatable hot tubs is that they are portable and, if you want to move it you can just empty it and quickly get the job done.

Inflatables pack down to an easily stored size but you do need to make sure that it is completely dry and stored in an airy environment to prevent mildew from ruining it.

In order to inflate, you simply need to place it flat on the floor the right way up, and inflate, using a pump for the fastest and best results. Once inflated, ensure the hot tub is flat on the floor and in a secure position, not on a slope.

If your water heater and water pump are packed separately you need to attach these according to the corresponding instructions that are provided with your hot tub. Once it is inflated and secure you can use a hose to fill up with water to the recommended level. You then simply plug it into the mains, switch it on and wait for the water to heat up.

The working of an inflatable hot tub, once installed, is a little bit different to that of a regular hot tub. The most notable difference is the air jets; in an inflatable hot tub, the air jets are not as powerful, as the air jet system produces thousands of small air bubbles, instead of the conventional narrow jets of water.

This does mean that you don’t really get any of the hydrotherapy/massaging effects of the jets on a conventional hot tub. However, the air bubble jets on an inflatable hot tub are very pleasant – just don’t expect a soothing massage!

You will also find that, once you are in the inflatable hot tub you sit on the floor and lean on the sides. In a regular hot tub there are usually molded seats but inflatables don’t have these. This is more comfortable than it sounds as the sides are relatively soft and good for leaning on and the bottom of the hot tub is padded.

Choosing the Right Inflatable Hot Tub Size

Often, we search for the ‘best’ hot tub without thinking about what we actually need out of a hot tub. This frequently means buying the wrong size. If you are wanting to use the inflatable hot tub for single person use or for the use of a couple, you should look into buying a smaller sized hot tub.

Larger models are needed for a larger number of people at a time but can cost more money. Smaller inflatable hot tubs are faster to heat up and are therefore cheaper; less water means less power and money required to keep the water hot. It will also take up less space in your garden and require smaller covers and bases.

Therefore you should consider your purpose and number of people before purchasing a hot tub that is too big when a smaller inflatable hot tub would work better for you. It’s not so much the purchase cost that is most important but the week in week out costs of heating a tub with the wrong amount of water in it.

How to Make Inflatable Hot Tubs More Energy Efficient

It is common knowledge that inflatable hot tubs are expensive and take a lot of energy to run. Following a few simple tips can help this.

If you plan to use your inflatable hot tub 3 or more times a week, it can be more financially and energy-efficient to keep your hot tub heated and running constantly. This is because it requires more energy, and therefore more money, to heat up cold water than it does to maintain a constant temperature.

Keeping your hot tub covered also reduces the amount of heat lost, and therefore reduces the amount of time it needs to be heated. Most inflatable hot tubs will come with a cover supplied and you should use this as much as possible.

Insulating the bottom of your hot tub with a heat mat can help maintain the temperature, reducing the amount of time you need to heat.

Filling the tub with warm water will reduce the amount of time required to heat up the water, reducing energy usage. However, there are a few things to bear in mind if you go down this route – check out my post here for more detail on this.

What are the Best Bases for Inflatable Hot Tubs

The most commonly used foundations of an inflatable hot tub are grass, concrete pads, and crushed gravel or stone, which are all commonly found in gardens.

You can also purchase a ready-made synthetic tub pad and this can be simpler and easier to maintain. It also means you can use your tub inside or out. Finding one with four interlocking pieces means you can easily dismantle it and move the hot tub to another location.

If you find an insulated hot tub pad this can help keep the hot tub warm, which reduces the need to heat the water as much.

A simple tarpaulin sheet can also be beneficial if you want a simple solution to keeping your inflatable hot tub in good condition. It can help ensure less damage from stones and sticks that may be on the ground in your garden.

Related Questions

Are inflatable hot tubs suitable for children? Every inflatable hot tub manufacturer recommends that no children under the age of 5 should use a hot tub. This recommendation is authenticated by many safety bodies in the medical community. This is because their skin is significantly more sensitive than older children and adults and may not be able to handle the high temperatures.

Furthermore, small children can easily drown in a hot tub, and it is therefore stated that any children no matter the age are supervised by an adult the entire time they are around the inflatable hot tub. Children should also wear the correct and appropriate swimwear, which will give them an extra layer of protection, and should not stay any longer than 5 minutes at a time so that their bodies have chance to cool down.

Rules should also be established so that children do not rough play or play fight whilst in the hot tub, as this can lead to injury for the child or damage to the hot tub. Finally, to protect children whilst the hot tub is not in use, be sure to keep a lid or covering on to prevent them falling in.

Do inflatable hot tubs plug into any home electrical socket? The majority of inflatable hot tubs can run on conventional home electrical sockets.

Whilst you can plug the inflatable hot tub into your standard home socket, it is wise to take certain precautions when doing this. This means making sure that you use a socket that is waterproof, especially if you plan to use your inflatable hot tub outside.

Furthermore, you should ensure that the socked has RCD protection; Inflatable hot tubs must be fitted with a safety cut out just in case any water comes into contact with the electrical supply to the spa. An RCD (Residual Current Device) ensures that electrical supply is immediately disconnected once it detects any water, which prevents the risk of electrocution.

Do inflatable hot tubs need a water sanitizer? It is strongly advised for inflatable hot tub owners to sanitize the water regularly. This should be added to water in order to remove bacteria and other germs that can often accumulate in the water.

This means you can eliminate water-borne diseases, especially if you are keeping your hot tub outside, Furthermore, it will mean you need to empty your tub less frequently, saving water, time and money. The most common water sanitizer is chlorine, which is found in most pools and hot tubs.

Whilst this is the most common and cheapest option, chlorine can cause skin irritations, and can be harsh on the skin, swimwear and the plastic of the tub, often causing damage over time. It is also not the most environmentally friendly choice. Finding less-harsh alternatives can result in a better outcome for you and your inflatable hot tub.