Installation

Installation of a hot tub / spa

When it comes to installing your spa, you are left with two options: try it yourself or let a seasoned professional do the job. In both cases, good preparation is the key to success. If you do the installation yourself, you can decide completely yourself and also save on installation costs. You can work freely, for example strengthening the foundation under the spa or adding additional sockets etc. However, if you do not have the necessary know-how or time to install the spa yourself, then you should leave the work to an expert.

More information can be found below.

Before installing the spa

Before you install the spa yourself, or have it installed, there are a number of things you should consider:

Determine exactly where the spa will be installed (indoors or outdoors).
Make sure the foundation for the spa is level and solid.
Ensure that sufficient electrical connections are available.
Make sure you have an appropriate water source to fill the spa.

Install a spa indoors

A spa is actually designed for the outdoor area. However, it is still possible to install them in the house. However, the following conditions must be met for this:

There must be enough space to move the spa indoors. However, the dimensions of a spa do not always make this possible (the average size of a spa is 220 x 215 x 95 cm). A spa cannot be disassembled into individual parts, nor does it fit through a normal door.

Depending on the model, spas can weigh anywhere from 1,000 to 2,500 kg when filled with water. This requires a level and solid foundation.

Make sure there is adequate ventilation in the room where the spa will be located. A spa generates an incredible amount of humidity, so a good ventilation system is needed to get that humidity out of the room.

Install an outdoor spa

Spas and spas are mostly installed outside. But that doesn't mean you can only use their spa during the summer months. The Sunspa spas are not dependent on the seasons and can also be used in autumn and winter. In fact, studies have shown that the effectiveness of a spa is greatest when the outside temperature is lower than the water temperature.

If you want to install the spa outside, you should consider the following things:

Place the spa close to the house. This is related to the use of the spa. When it's cold outside, you probably don't want to walk long in the garden.

It is always better not to place the spa under trees as leaves and birds mean extra work.

Building a windbreak or small hut over the spa will prevent the spa from being exposed to the weather and wind and will reduce usage and maintenance costs. However, keep in mind that the view from the spa makes the experience even more relaxing. In addition, you should of course keep your privacy in mind when looking for a suitable place.

Built in spas

If you intend to embed your spa in the ground or in a permanent place (e.g. a concrete patio), it is important to ensure that the panel for the connections is not blocked. This is important as you will need access to it during maintenance or service work. Each model has specific flaps, hatches and panels to make repairs and maintenance as easy as possible, so make sure these are within easy reach.

Accessibility

Consider the dimensions of a spa (they average about 220 x 215 x 95 cm) when deciding where to place it. As previously mentioned, a spa cannot be disassembled into its individual parts and will not fit through a standard door. If the installation location is easily accessible and the garden gates are big enough, then the installation is quite easy.

But that changes as soon as the installation site is difficult to reach. For example, if the spa needs to be lifted above the house, then the reach of the crane must also be taken into account (approximately 30m horizontal distance between the crane and the installation site). A tractor can also be used for slightly longer distances. Depending on the model, an empty spa can weigh between 200 and 350 kg.

The foundation

No matter where you choose to place your spa, the foundation must be able to support the combined weight of the spa, water and people. The foundation must not only be strong, but also level and balanced

Electric lines

For your own safety and to avoid overloading the mains electricity, your spa should at all times be connected to two power generators that are differentially grounded and contain 16, 20 or 25 amp fuses. A spa can use a lot of electricity at times. This happens when you turn on all jets, waterfall, ozone generator and heater at the same time, for example.

Power requirements may vary from one model to another. If you decide to install your new spa yourself, we will provide you with all the information you need. For larger spas it is recommended to work with high current.

The power cord should be routed directly from the fuse box to where the spa will be located and allow 5m of extra cord to connect the cord to the side of the spa. In addition, it is recommended to install a waterproof switch at least 2m from the spa so that the power can be turned off at any time.

Please note that the power supply always requires a ground fault of 0.03. In some municipalities (mainly in Belgium) the electricity grid does not meet these requirements. So check with your local electricity supplier first.

Warning: be very careful when working with electricity and do not take any unnecessary risks! If you don't have the knowledge, let a qualified electrician or one of our specialists do the work for you.

Draining and refilling the spa

It is not necessary, and in fact is often not recommended, to install a permanent water connection near the hot tub: it is not easy to protect an external water pipe from frost. It is much easier and cheaper to fill the spa with water from a garden shed.

If the spa is used regularly by two people, it is recommended to empty it every 60 days.

Regardless of your water care regime, it is recommended that you replace the water every three months. If the water is not particularly dirty, then you can only drain 1/3 of the water and refill with fresh water. Depending on the size of the spa, it costs between €1.70 and €2.40 to fill it up.

If your spa is on an elevated surface, the water will drain faster. You can also connect a hose to facilitate drainage.