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Frequently Asked Questions

Benefits

Q: I'm afraid I'll buy a spa and never use it. How often do people use them?

A: Once you buy a spa, it may well become an integral part of your lifestyle. Information gathered from our customer appreciation nights tells us that our clients continue to enjoy their Jacuzzi ® Hot Tub 5-7 times per week even after several years of ownership!

Q: Why do our clients use their Jacuzzi Hot Tub so often?

A: Many use their spas in the evening, before bed. Because spas relax you, relieve tired muscles and aching joints, and ready your body for sleep, they are excellent sleep aids. Superior Jacuzzi Hydrotherapy helps them relieve chronic pain. Our related customer testimonials.

- Spas are also wonderful family entertainment. Consumer research indicates that parents spend real quality time with their kids in their hot tubs. It's a chance to relax together, talk, and do something besides sit on the couch and watch television. Spas are also great in social settings. Imagine Saturday afternoon barbecues, evening get-togethers in your backyard, or weekend gatherings with your friends and family. And it's great for personal one-on-one time with your spouse or significant other. Our related customer testimonials.

- Calgarians work more hours per week than any other city in Canada. Our clients find that their valuable “Jacuzzi time” helps them reduce stress, rejuvenate, refresh and re-energize. Our related customer testimonials.

Once your Jacuzzi is installed and set-up, it's simple to use. You just pull back the cover, turn on the jets, sink in, and relax. We believe that one massage session will be enough to convince you to use it regularly.

Hydrotherapy

Q: How much horsepower do I need to make sure the spa is powerful enough?

A: The importance of this question is often over-rated, and more often misunderstood. Horsepower does not necessarily equal spa power. In a nutshell, you want to review the overall ability of a spa to generate water volume. Water volume equals power. Pumps alone don't produce waterpower; a spa with a powerful pump and an inefficient plumbing system won't produce the volume you're looking for. Jet placement within the plumbing is also important. Spa plumbing that places jets in a straight row along a plumbing line may produce unequal power to each jet. Plumbing with proper jet clustering and an appropriate pump size will give you the most efficient type of water volume and flow.

If you really want to test water volume power, stick your hand inside the spa when it's filled with water. Look for air controls and massage selectors that add air to the mix, or move water volume from one seat to the next. These selectors should be simple to use, and at arm's length from each seat. The feel of the water flow and your ability to adjust it to your liking is much more important than the horsepower of the pump.

Q: What is the maximum temperature required for a hydrotherapy session?

A: Temperature in a hydrotherapy session is really a matter of personal preference and comfort. However, a few things are important to know. First, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that your spa water never exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Second, a pregnant woman shouldn't use a hot tub before consulting a physician. And third, be certain that your hot tub's control panel shows actual temperature as well as set temperature, so you will always be certain of the water's temperature prior to entering the spa. In warm weather, turning the thermostat down to keep the water cool is one way to enjoy a refreshing soak.

Features

Q: How does a spa's filtration system work? Is the placement of the filter important?

A: We've provided a comprehensive explanation of spa filtration systems in the “Buyers Guide” section of this site. The spa's water purification system is an important element of its performance, so read this section carefully. In a basic sense, your spa pulls water, using pumps, through the filter. The filter is designed to catch debris and organic objects in the spa's water, and keep them away from your body while bathing.

Spa filters differ in their overall size. Larger filter areas mean more particles can be trapped as water passes through the filter.

Spa water is filtered each time the pumps are turned on, and most spas come pre-programmed with filtration cycles to be certain that this happens on a regular basis. Also consider choosing a spa with a circulation pump. This pump keeps water circulating and filtering at all times, to prevent stagnant water and improve water clarity for just a few pennies a day.

Make sure the filter placement allows for easy access. Cleaning the filter means removing it, so easy access will simplify maintenance.

Q: Does every spa come with an Ozone system?

A: No. Many spas come "ozone ready," meaning the spa is equipped for easy installation of UV or CD ozone systems. A CD Ozone system is the best system currently available. (For a complete explanation of ozone systems and their benefits, see the "Buyers Guide" section of our web site). Most often, ozone systems are optional, and are added to the price of the spa. However, it is important to remember that ozone systems help to maintain clean, clear water, and reduce the amount of required chemicals. Over the long run, an investment in an ozone system is a good one. It is important to note that all ozone systems are not created equally. Jacuzzi’s patented Ozone technology provides the cleanest water possible.

Manufacturing & Warranties

Q: Why is a full-foam insulated spa better than one that's not?

A: Full foam insulation does several things for a spa:

• It keeps the heat in, creating energy efficiency.
• It reduces the noise of the equipment in the spa.
• It keeps the plumbing secure, reducing vibration and stress on the plumbing fixtures during transit and use.

Full foam insulation equates to energy efficiency. For a complete explanation of foam insulation, visit the "Buyers Guide" section of our web site.

Q: What should be covered in a spa warranty? Who takes care of my spa if it breaks?

A: A spa's warranty should be a critical factor in your purchase decision. You are making a major investment, and you should be certain that your investment is fully protected for an acceptable period of time. In short, you want to be certain that every element of your spa is covered under warranty, from the shell to the plumbing to the electrical components. Additionally, you'll want a warranty without exclusions, to be certain that all parts are covered, and without prorating, to be certain that your repairs will be fully covered over time, and that you won't be required to pay a percentage of repair costs in future years.

Design Center

Q: Why would I want "fake wood" siding?

A: A recent development in the spa industry is synthetic wood skirting. This product was developed to extend the "new look" of a spa's surround, and to eliminate the need for regular staining and sealing of wood surrounds. Quality manufacturers do make synthetic skirting with the look and styling of real wood, and it serves as an excellent alternative for many consumers.
Jacuzzi Pro Endure Cabinetry

Before Buying

Q: How much money should I expect to spend to purchase a hot tub?

A: Hot Tubs generally run from $5000-$17,000. The important thing to remember is that you should consider this an investment in both your property and your health and you should consider buying the best quality hot tub you can afford. You will not regret this in the long run since you should expect to buy ONE hot tub that will last you 15-20 years. So consider the long-term value, quality and durability of the product

Q: Is any special plumbing required for my spa?

A: If you choose to purchase an above ground portable spa, there is no plumbing required at all. You simply fill the spa with a garden hose, and drain it when it needs to be drained. The unit is entirely self-contained.

Q: I know the spa will fit in my yard, but how can I be sure that I have a large enough path for delivery?

A: Premium Spas of Calgary offers a FREE site inspection in order to assess the surface your hot tub will be resting on, the access to your yard, electrical requirements and clearance for the tub and cover. After all, you don’t want any surprises.

Q: Do I have to lay concrete or prepare a place for my spa to sit?

A: A spa requires a straight and level surface that is constructed to bear the weight of the spa when it is filled with water. This means that you can place your spa on concrete, brick, wood decking or Jacuzzi spa pads, provided the deck is constructed to hold the spa's weight. If you have concerns about your location, check with the contractor or engineer who built your deck or book a FREE site inspection.

Q: What type of electrical hook-up is necessary for my spa? How much will it cost?

A: It's important that you contact a licensed electrician or contractor when planning for the electrical set-up of your spa. Premium Spas of Calgary can provide the information to your electrician or we can refer you to one of our qualified trades people. Proper planning will ensure a safe installation that meets local code and is free of financial surprises. FREE site inspection.

• If your spa runs on 240 volt, it must be permanently connected (hard wired) to the power supply.
• If your spa runs on 120 volt, it may use a G.F.C.I. cord, plugged in to a dedicated grounded outlet.
• The power supplied must be a dedicated circuit with no other appliances or lights sharing the power.

The cost for your electrical set-up depends completely on your individual site situation and the length of the electrical "run.". If you do not have a designated circuit available in your current panel, one will need to be installed. Electricians charge to run wiring based on the distance it will need to be run, and the size and wiring material required.

After Buying

Q: How much will it cost to operate and maintain my spa each month?

A: The answer to this question really depends on the type of spa you purchase, and how you use your spa. Your cost of operation includes:

Electricity:

Energy Consumption - Jacuzzi Premium J-335
Average Yearly Temperature for Calgary 7.25° Celsius

Chemicals: Your chemical expenses will be based on three issues

1. The type of chemicals you choose to use.
2. How often you use your spa, and how many people will be in it.
3. Whether you supplement chemicals with an ozone generator to sanitize the water.

At the time you purchase your spa, discuss your chemical options with the dealer. You may choose bromine, chlorine, peroxide-based, or mineral purifiers. These each come at a different price, and each offers different benefits. If you use your spa often, or if lots of people use your spa at the same time, you may use more chemicals than someone who uses the spa only occasionally. Because chemicals kill residual bacteria, the amount of debris and bacteria in the spa does affect the amount of chemicals required. You can visit our "Water Care Products" section of this web site for more information on each type of sanitizer.

You may also save money on chemicals by installing an ozonator in your spa. Ozonators purify water through the production of ozone, and reduce the amount of chemicals required for clean, clear water. But remember, using a sanitizer with ozone is always recommended for safe, clean water.

Ongoing Maintenance: Ultrasonic Filter cleaning is recommended at least once per year and greatly increase the life of your filter while saving you money. Premium Spas of Calgary provides Ultrasonic filter cleaning at each of our locations. If you have questions about Ultrasonic Filter Cleaning, just ASK THE EXPERTS

Q: How hard is it to maintain a spa? How much time do I have to spend taking care of it?

A: Once your spa is properly installed, you can care for it in just minutes each week. Maintenance really consists of checking the water chemistry with simple test strips, and adding required chemicals once or twice per week. Your dealer can provide you with a chemical demonstration at the time of installation. You may even choose to use sanitizing tablets, that gradually dissolve and release chemicals over time, and require even less maintenance.

You will need to drain your spa's water and re-fill it about once every 3-12 months depending on usage and size of your ozonator. This process takes a couple of hours, and is relatively simple. You'll also need to clean the filter about once a month. Again, it's a simple process that should take less than an hour.

Q: Will my spa take lots of chemicals? Can I get a chemical-free system?

A: To our knowledge, there's really no such thing as a "chemical-free system." While you may choose alternative methods such as mineral purifiers over standard methods such as bromine or chlorine, it is important that you use some type of water sanitizer to ensure that standing bacteria and organics in the water are removed, and that you are bathing in a safe, clean environment.

WARNING! Do not be fooled by the promise of a chemical free “salt water system”. It is actually a chlorine system that will possibly damage your hot tub’s plumbing components and will cost you 6-10 times the amount to operate. These are challenges that may not be mentioned by some sales people.

Q: Is there anything special I need to do to care for my spa when I'm away for a period of time?

A: With most spas, the answer is no. Using slow dissolving chemical tablets, the spa pumps will cycle on automatically, filtering the water and your spa will require no daily care. For extended periods of time, see your dealer. They may recommend draining the spa depending on the method of water sanitation. Contact THE EXPERTS at Premium Spas of Calgary for information related to your specific hot tub.

Q: How often should I drain my spa?

A: Bring a sample of your water (approx. 500 ml) to either Premium Spas of Calgary location for a FREE computerized water analysis. As a general rule, it's a good idea to drain your spa about once every 4 - 6 months depending on usage. Remember that water clarity and chemical usage really depend on how often you use your spa, and how many people use it. It also depends on how well you maintain your water's chemistry using chemical additives. If your water becomes cloudy, or if you're not getting the crystal clear water you desire through chemical maintenance, you may want to drain your water.