Find Your Local Store for the Best Shopping Experience
Your Local Store:
Should You Turn Down
Your Hot Tub When Not in Use?
If you’re a hot tub owner in Rochester, MN, you’ve probably wondered whether you should lower the temperature when you’re not using your spa. It’s a common question, and the answer might surprise you: keeping your hot tub at a consistent temperature is actually the smarter choice for most situations.
The Case for Keeping Your Hot Tub Warm
Modern hot tubs, particularly well-insulated models like Hot Spring Spas or Caldera spas, are designed to maintain temperature efficiently. Rather than turning your hot tub down significantly or off completely, maintaining a minimum temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit year-round offers several advantages:
Energy Efficiency: While it might seem counterintuitive, keeping your hot tub at a steady temperature often uses less energy than repeatedly heating it from a cold state. Your hot tub’s insulation works best when maintaining temperature rather than fighting to recover heat loss.
Equipment Protection: Consistent temperatures help protect your hot tub’s components, especially during cooler Rochester evenings and winter months. Dramatic temperature swings can stress pumps, heaters, and plumbing systems.
Ready When You Are: There’s nothing worse than wanting to enjoy a relaxing soak only to discover your hot tub needs hours to heat up. Maintaining at least 100 degrees means your spa is always ready for spontaneous use.
What About When You’re Away?
Even if you’re leaving town for a few days or a week, resist the urge to turn your hot tub off completely. Here’s why:
Winter Considerations
During colder months, turning off your hot tub can lead to serious problems. A powered-down hot tub risks freezing damage to pipes, pumps, and equipment. The residual water in your plumbing lines and equipment can freeze even if you’ve drained the main body of water, potentially causing thousands of dollars in damage.
If you maintain your hot tub at 100 degrees minimum and keep it covered, the thermal mass of the water actually provides protection. A covered, insulated hot tub can maintain safe temperatures for up to three days without power, but only if it starts at proper operating temperature
Summer Strategy
During Rochester’s warm summer months, you have more flexibility. You might consider lowering the temperature to 85-95 degrees if you’ll be away for an extended period, but completely shutting down your hot tub isn’t necessary. The cooler water can actually be refreshing during hot weather, and you’ll still benefit from water circulation and filtration.
When Temperature Adjustments Make Sense
There are a few scenarios where adjusting your hot tub temperature is appropriate:
Seasonal Preference: Many people enjoy hotter water (102-104°F) in winter and slightly cooler temperatures (98-100°F) in summer. These modest adjustments are fine and won’t significantly impact energy usage.
Extended Vacation: If you’re leaving for more than a couple weeks during mild weather, you might lower the temperature to 90 degrees, but keep the system running.
Water Maintenance: Slightly lower temperatures can slow algae growth and reduce chemical consumption if you’re trying to manage water quality issues.
Emergency Situations
If your hot tub stops working or you experience a power outage, don’t panic and don’t drain the tub. A well-insulated hot tub will retain heat for several days if you keep the cover locked in place. The thermal mass of the water provides protection that empty plumbing lines cannot offer.
If you’re experiencing equipment issues, contact a professional service department immediately. The sooner you address problems, the less likely you are to experience freeze damage or other complications.
What Never to Do
Regardless of the season or how long you’ll be away, never drain your hot tub during cold weather without professional guidance. Even when temperatures are above freezing during the day, nighttime lows can cause residual water in your plumbing and equipment to freeze. Freeze damage is one of the most expensive hot tub repairs, and it’s completely preventable.
If you need to drain your hot tub for maintenance or cleaning, only do so when temperatures will remain above 32 degrees for at least 24 hours. And remember: always refill with cold or lukewarm water, never hot water, as this can damage your spa’s shell and equipment.
Emergency Situations
If your hot tub stops working or you experience a power outage, don’t panic and don’t drain the tub. A well-insulated hot tub will retain heat for several days if you keep the cover locked in place. The thermal mass of the water provides protection that empty plumbing lines cannot offer.
If you’re experiencing equipment issues, contact a professional service department immediately. The sooner you address problems, the less likely you are to experience freeze damage or other complications.
The Bottom Line
For most hot tub owners in Rochester, the best practice is to maintain your spa at a minimum of 100 degrees year-round. This approach protects your equipment, ensures your hot tub is always ready to use, and often proves more energy-efficient than the alternative. Modern hot tubs are engineered to operate continuously, and their insulation systems work best when maintaining consistent temperatures.
Rather than turning your hot tub down to save energy, focus on proper maintenance: keep your cover in good condition, ensure your hot tub is properly insulated, maintain clean filters, and keep up with regular water chemistry. These practices will do more to improve efficiency and extend your hot tub’s life than temperature adjustments ever could.
Your hot tub is designed to be a reliable source of relaxation and enjoyment. By maintaining consistent temperatures and following proper care guidelines, you’ll ensure it’s always ready when you need it most.
