Always look for quality. You can find (or not find ) quality in every area of a spa.
Here is a checklist:
- Does it have a full floor? If yes, is it pressure treated wood, fibreglass or a thin plastic sheet?
- How thick is the cabinet? Some are very thin!
- How is the spa insulated? Most spas on the market are what’s commonly called foam filled, meaning the spa cabinet to the underside of the shell is filled with foam insulation. The density of the foam may vary but they all operate on the same principle. The problem with this design, we feel, is the fact that there is no access to any of the plumbing under the shell, not to mention leaving all your expensive equipment to the mercy of Mother Nature. You see, with your pumps, heaters etc. on the wrong side of the insulation, they will not be protected during a power outage or extreme temperatures. We all know that heat travels upwards so why is it so important to have so much insulation down below? We know, most manufacturers are using the foam to support flimsy spa shells. What we do at Arctic Spas, is insulate our floor and walls with a high density foam insulation and do not foam our spa shell. This allows us to utilize the heat generated naturally by the motors to help heat your spa water. We also have access to everything underneath the “hood”. Would you buy a new vehicle if the hood was welded shut? The most vital place to have insulation in your home is in the walls and the attic. Not in the basement, correct? So, let’s make sure we put a nice thick quality spa cover on top!! We’ll get to that later. Ask yourself how many spas you plan on purchasing over the next 20-25 years. Is your answer, one? So let’s make sure we can access the plumbing for future problems 10-20 years from now or, more importantly for future upgrades when the new “gotta have it” spa technology comes out. Common sense.
- What are the capabilities of the jets? Do they turn on and off individually? Do they adjust and can you remove them for service?
- Is the filter easy to remove for cleaning? Is the filter cartridge a readily available universal style? Some manufacturers have created a monopoly on their cartridges as you can only purchase their filters at their price.
- How are the pillows secured? Suction cups tend to tear out. Some are actually screwed into your shell making it tough to get behind for cleaning.
- What type of covers are there? Remember that heat rises and the most important place to insulate your home, as well as a spa, is on top. Most manufacturers offer a standard 3″ flat cover or a 4″x 2″ tapered top. At Arctic Spas we offer the thickest most durable cover in the industry. Our covers are a 5″x 4″ tapered cover. They come with a 3 year warranty. A cover will not last as long as the spas so make sure that you purchase a cover that’s going to withstand snow loads, heavy pets, children and repels moisture. Covers cost between $300.00 – $900.00 so make a wise decision. How many times do you want to replace a cover?
- What’s the warranty? Be very careful here! Many manufacturers warranties are very creatively written using fine print to their advantage. Most warranties are pro-rated, use deductibles or have a standard flat fee before charging you for parts and labor. Always ask for copies of the fine print warranties before signing a deal and study them carefully.
