How Long Does it Take to Fill an Inflatable Hot Tub?

Having decided to buy an inflatable hot tub for my back yard, I’ve discovered that I’ve got a surprising number of questions about their use. One that I’ve been keen to find an answer to is how long it takes to fill up an inflatable hot tub with water, so I decided to do some research.

So, how long does it take to fill an inflatable hot tub? There are a few factors to take into account when it comes to the length of time taken to fill your inflatable hot tub, however in general, it will take between 1 and 2 hours to reach the maximum water level as long as the water pressure is reasonably strong.

Of course, a larger inflatable spa will take longer to fill than a smaller one, and if your household water pressure is poor, you can expect it to take a little more time for the water to reach the maximum mark. On the other hand, if you decide to fill the tub to a slightly lower level than the maximum, you can expect it to be ready to heat in a shorter space of time.

What Effects the Length of Time Taken to Fill an Inflatable Hot Tub?

While the average amount of time taken to fill an inflatable hot tub is between 1 and 2 hours, this is a very rough figure. Here is an overview of the different factors that contribute to the length of time taken to fill up your spa:

• The size and capacity of the hot tub – a 2-person model will be quicker to fill than a 6-person one.
• Water pressure strength – if your household has poor water pressure it could take more than 2 hours to fill a large inflatable hot tub. Meanwhile, if your water pressure is extremely good, it could take under an hour to fill the smallest inflatable models on the market today.
• Your hose pipe size – if you’re using a hosepipe with a narrow pipe or a small nozzle, it will take longer to fill your hot tub than if you’re using one with a wider pipe and bigger nozzle.

How Much Water Does an Inflatable Hot Tub Hold?

Inflatable hot tubs are usually smaller than permanently installed spas, and therefore will hold less water. Nevertheless, they can still hold a significant amount of water.

Inflatable spas come in a choice of sizes. The smallest models hold 2 to 3 people, whereas the largest ones can hold around 6 people. Obviously, a larger tub will hold more water and, therefore, will take longer to fill than a smaller tub.

Although different brands of inflatable hot tubs will take different amounts of water, you can expect a smaller tub to hold around 177 gallons of water and a larger one to hold around 254 gallons. These are maximum water level guidelines. You can, of course, use less water than this, and there is usually a minimum fill line that you can use as a guide instead. If you opt to use this line as your marker, you’ll find that your tub is quicker to fill and also quicker to heat to your chosen temperature.

Should I Fill My Inflatable Hot Tub to the Maximum Fill Line?

All inflatable hot tubs will have a line to mark their maximum fill level. This is just a guideline, though. You don’t have to fill your tub to this level every time you use it, although you should always ensure that you never fill your tub with water past this point since the water will rise when users get into the spa and the water also needs room to bubble when the air jets are switched on.

If the tub is overfilled, the water may pour out over the side which is not just a waste of water, it could also result in drainage issues and could represent a slipping hazard.

It’s advisable to only fill your inflatable hot tub to the minimum water fill line when you use it for the first time. This will allow you to see more easily the extent to which the water will rise when users get into the tub and when the jets are switched on.

If the water level is sufficiently high for you, you can save time and money by only topping the water to this level every time. On the other hand, if you would prefer the level to be a little deeper, you can easily add a little more until you reach the maximum fill line.

How Do I Fill an Inflatable Hot Tub With Water?

When it comes to filling your inflatable hot tub, the simplest way is by using a garden hose. Before connecting the hose to your water supply, you should ensure that the tub’s thermostat has been switched off and that the breaker is also switched off just in case there are any problems.

Put the end of the hose into your tub, connect the other end to your mains water supply, then switch the water on. The tub will begin to fill. Make sure that you monitor the filling process at all times to avoid accidental overfilling. Also, if you watch carefully as the tub is filling up, you’ll immediately be able to see any possible leaks in the wall of the tub. If you spot any leaks, switch off the water immediately to avoid the leak getting worse.

Once the water has reached the minimum fill mark, you can turn off the water supply, although you may wish to wait until the water has reached the maximum fill mark if you’d prefer a deeper spa.

Top Tips for Filling Your Inflatable Hot Tub

When you’re filling an inflatable hot tub, these top tips will help you to make sure everything goes smoothly:

• Always ensure that you have put enough water into the hot tub to cover the air jets
• Take care to ensure the water level is higher than the water level sensor
• Ensure no air is able to be sucked into the water heater’s circuits. This can be avoided by filling your hot tub to at least 2” above the filter
• Never switch on your hot tub to heat the water before the tub has been filled to the appropriate water level

Related Questions

Can an inflatable hot tub be filled with hot water? When you’re filling your hot tub, you may be wondering whether it’s possible to use hot water from your household supply to speed up the process of heating the water ready for use. Although hot tub manufacturers often recommend against doing this, if you’re keen to try it you need to ensure that you’ve added a thin layer of cold water to the base of the tub first before you add warm water.

This will ensure that the temperature of the water increases gradually and minimizes the chance of any damage to the vinyl. You should also ensure that you never add water that is already over 104 degrees Fahrenheit since this is the maximum temperature that the tub has been designed to take. With this in mind, never add boiling water to the tub to top up the water level as this could cause damage.

Will pre-filtering be necessary when I’m filling my inflatable hot tub with water? A common question about filling hot tubs, including inflatable models, is whether the tap water should be pre-filtered before being used to fill up the tub. Really, the answer will depend on the kind of water you have at home.

In some cases, pre-filtering is useful, but it certainly won’t be necessary in every case. Using a pre-filter will remove excess minerals like calcium that could cause the water to look cloudy and scaly. All you have to do is connect a pre-filter to the hosepipe using a Hozelock connector. This will ensure that the water you use to fill the tub from your household supply is clean as well as free from unwanted contaminants.

If you’re living in an area with a lot of minerals in your water supply, or if you have limescale issues, using a pre-filter when filling up your inflatable hot tub is always going to be a good idea to ensure the best experience when using your spa. However, if you live in a soft water area, pre-filtering will probably not be necessary.

Once I’ve filled my inflatable hot tub with water, how long will it take to heat it to the right temperature for use? Filling your inflatable hot tub with water is the first step, but it’ll need to be heated up first before you can use your spa. Depending on the temperature that you choose and how big your hot tub is, you can expect it to take around 12 to 24 hours to heat up the water in your inflatable hot tub the first time that you use it.