Frequently asked questions

• How much does it cost to install a hot tub?

  The cost to install your hot tub varies depending on your hot tub’s size, location and complexity. Prices to install your hot tub can range between $85- $800+ depending on what you want. On average, the national cost for installation is about $300.

• What should I consider before installation?

  • New patio slab. If you don’t have one already, you’ll need a cement slab or another similarly strong surface to support the weight of your hot tub. Cement slabs are extremely durable and can cost around $100 in materials. If you hire contractors or work with your dealership to get this set up for you, the cost could be $1,400 – $3,500.

  • Electrical wiring/running conduit. Your new hot tub will need its own electrical connection to run the heater, pumps, filtration system and any entertainment options. The electrical materials will cost around $250 and include a bond wire, service panel, ground and GCFI break, a DC converter for the pump and PVC pipe. This will require about three hours of service from an electrician to install which will cost around another $250. If you want to bury the electrical components, it can cost about $70.

  • Gazebo and other custom installation options. If you decide to build a custom installation around your hot tub, it will add to your overall price. The cost of these options will depend on what you want. Overall, the costs associated with installing a portable spa are still considerably less than installing an in-ground hot tub.

• Where should I install my hot tub?

  • Location, Location, Location. You’ll first have to decide where to put your spa. Make sure the surface your spa rests on can support a great deal of weight. A concrete slab, a deck, or a gravel base are all good options.

  • Electrical Supply. Your dealer will be able to help you find a qualified electrician to handle your wiring and connection issues. All 230-volt Caldera spas include a GFCI cub-panel to ensure that every installation complies with the National Electric Code.

  • Take measurements. Use your tape measure to plan a route for the spa to be loaded off a truck and moved to your perfect location.

• How do I prepare my hot tub for winter?

  If you plan to use your hot tub during the winter months, be sure to drain and refill your hot tub when temperatures are above freezing for long enough to drain your spa, refill it and allow the heater to bring the water back up to temperature. Much of that planning depends on where you live. If you can drain and refill your hot tub as late as mid-December, the water will last through winter until mid-March.

  Also keep in mind that water evaporates quickly during a dry, cold winter. Be sure to check the water level to make sure it doesn’t fall below the skimmer level. If the water stops circulating, it won’t be heated.

• What is a good hot tub maintenance schedule?

  There are several regular tasks necessary to maintain your hot tub. While each one is relatively easy and doesn’t require a lot of time, it’s important to perform these tasks on schedule.

  • Weekly hot tub maintenance

    Check and clean the skimmer basket. Remove leaves and any debris that may have accumulated. Keeping the basket clean will ensure proper water flow.

    You should also use a test strip to test and then and adjust the water pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness and sanitizer levels at least once a week. It’s an easy process that takes only a few minutes of your time.

  • Monthly hot tub maintenance

    Clean your filter. Just use a garden hose, spray the filter and rotate while spraying to thoroughly remove any debris lodged between the filter pleats. Use a degreaser to clean filters while changing water in the spa.

  • Every three to four months

    Drain and refill the hot tub. Wipe the surface clean with a soft cloth before refilling. Instructions for refilling and initially balancing the water are available in the owner’s manual.

    Remove filters and spray clean. Soak in a degreaser (see package instructions). Spray down with a garden hose and replace.

    Tip: You can avoid any spa down time by owning two sets of filters. Simply switch the filters to be cleaned with your other set. Then clean and store the set you’ve removed.

• What should I know about water care?

  It's always a little tricky to do something like buying a hot tub for the first time. Where do you start? It's a good idea to do a little research to help you know what you're looking for. Check out different resources, and ask people with experience. That way you can shop for your first hot tub equipped with second-time buyer knowledge.

  • Start with an internet search. Seeing as that's where you've found this buyer's guide, it seems like you've figured this one out already! The internet is a fantastic tool for finding dealers in your area, reviews of the best hot tub brands, and general information about hot tub ownership. When looking for reviews, it's a good idea to compare information from multiple sources and to find reviews from neutral sites like Spasearch.

  • Once you've got a good idea of what you're looking for in a hot tub, the next step is to visit your local dealer. Here you can learn which models they carry in stock, how they handle delivery and installation, and what their service plans look like. Getting an in-person introduction to some models of interest can also help inform your decision.

  • Nothing beats a personal touch. If you know any true spa enthusiasts— ideally someone who uses their spa daily and has owned it for a decade or longer—they'll be able to offer you a wealth of knowledge to guide you through buying and owning a hot tub. Their personal experiences will help you figure out what's most important for you, both today and ten years from now.

• When do I replace my hot tub filter(s)?

  If you’ve maintained your cleaning schedule, your genuine Watkins® hot tub filters should last up to 3 years. You may want to replace them sooner if maintenance has been sporadic or your hot tub has seen heavier than normal use.

  Replace your filters sooner if the filter is brown, gray or green, or if it stays dark yellow after cleaning. You should also replace filters if you notice that the pleated part becomes flat or the fiber begins to shred or fall apart. Also replace if the top or bottom of the canister has a split or crack.

• How do I clean my hot tub filter(s)?

  Once a month, it’s a good idea to remove your hot tub filters and spray them with a garden hose to remove any debris that may have accumulated between the folds.

  Whenever you change out the water in your hot tub, give your filters a full cleaning. Remove them from the spa and spray away any debris that has accumulated between the folds with a garden hose.

  Soak the filters in a spa filter degreaser (see package instructions for the product you’re using). After soaking the filters, spray them clean and replace.

  Do not use a pressure washer or dishwasher to clean your filters.

  Tip: You can avoid any spa down time by owning two sets of filters. Simply switch the filters to be cleaned with your other set. Then clean and store the set you’ve removed.

• How does a hot tub cover lifter work?

  Generally a hot tub cover lifter has a bar that rests against the fold in the cover. After unclipping the child safety locks from the front of the cover, you simply fold the cover back over that bar. Then, as you fold back one more time, the cover is mechanically brought back, off the hot tub surface and held in place. It’s easy to do by yourself in seconds.

• How long will my hot tub cover last?

  It’s difficult to say how long your cover will last, because it depends on the unique conditions that any cover faces. Occasionally inspect your cover to look for signs that it’s not working properly. Does it look like it’s in contact with the edge of the hot tub surface all the way around? Are there any tears in the outer cover?

  Cleaning and treating your spa cover, maintaining proper water chemistry and gently removing leaves, snow and ice will help your cover last longer.

• How should I maintain my hot tub cover?

  When dirt accumulates, hose it off or wipe it with a damp cloth to keep it looking new.

  • Every four to six months use Caldera Spa Monarch Cover Shield to clean, condition and protect your spa cover. Cover Shield forms a protective shield on your vinyl spa cover which helps resist fading, stains and dirt.

  • If you notice the exterior of your cover developing a musty smell, discoloration or mold spots, this may be a sign of improper water chemistry.

  • Gently remove leaves, snow or ice that has accumulated on your spa cover to avoid strain and eventual breaking of the foam core.

• How do I know when it's time to replace my hot tub cover?

  You may need a new hot tub cover if you notice any of the following conditions:

  • The vinyl cover is torn, cracked or brittle. This can affect the safety, heat retention and beauty of your cover.

  • The cover is not forming a tight seal against the top edge of the hot tub, which can cause heat loss and a reduction of your spa’s efficiency.

  • Straps and locks are not functioning. If they are not in good condition, it may affect the security of your hot tub.

  • The cover has become heavy, is sagging or has puddles forming on top, indicating that damage to the foam core has occurred.

• How do I use the freshwater salt water system?

  Enjoying the benefits of the FreshWater® Salt System is easy and can be accomplished by following the steps below. For more detailed instructions, please refer to the system’s Start-up Guide and Owner’s Manual.

  System Start-Up

  • Test fill water

  • Fill spa

  • Add salt

  • Balance water

  • Sanitize fill water

  • Soften water

  • Set output level

  Tips to get the best performance from your freshwater salt system

  The FreshWater Salt System makes spa ownership simple and easy by reducing the amount of time required to care for your spa water. It is important to note that maintaining balanced and sanitized spa water is ultimately the responsibility of the spa owner. Here are some helpful tips:

  • 10-Day Checkup

    Every 10 days, the water care icon on the control panel will flash as a reminder to check your spa by testing and balancing your spa water and confirming your output level.

  • Test for chlorine regularly and adjust the output level up or down to maintain 3 to 5 ppm

    Additional chlorine can be used, only as needed, to supplement the system. It is recommended to adjust the output level or use Boost before supplemental chlorine is added.

  • Keep calcium hardness levels at or below 50ppm to prevent scaling
  • Remove Metals from water

    If filling your hot tub with well water, or metals are present in the water, we recommend using the Clean Screen® prefilter to remove any metals present in the water.

  • Pair with a Silver Ion Cartridge

    Silver is a low-maintenance, anti-microbial that destroys bacteria and viruses. The combination of chlorine and silver is the most powerful cleaning option for hot tubs. While optional, we suggest pairing the FreshWater® Salt System with a silver cartridge for the ultimate water care solution. Simply drop the silver cartridge directly into the spa’s filter, for the cleanest, clearest water experience available.

• How do I keep my spa water clean?

  There are a few all-important spa maintenance checks to perform on a regular basis. They’ll keep your hot tub clean and sanitary so you can enjoy it often. Plus, continued maintenance adds to the longevity of your spa.

  An easy way to remember when to do these tasks is to schedule routine maintenance on your phone using personal reminders.

• Is there a checklist of things I should always be doing to care for my hot tub?

  • Clean your filter every month. Using a garden hose, spray the filter and rotate while spraying to thoroughly remove any debris lodged between the filter pleats. Replace your filter every three years with a genuine Watkins® replacement filter.

  • Drain and refill the hot tub once every three to four months – just once per year if using a Salt system – for optimal water upkeep. Instructions for refilling your spa can be found in the hot tub owner’s manual.

  • Check and clean the skimmer basket weekly to ensure proper filter flow. Remove leaves, foreign matter, and debris.

  • Sanitize the spa. We highly recommend the easy-to-use Freshwater® Salt System. Delivering pure, natural feeling water with fewer chemicals and less fuss, the Freshwater Salt System uses a maintenance-free cartridge to generate chlorine from salt. Harsh odors are virtually eliminated, and water is gentle on eyes and skin.