Trying to decide between an attached spa/hot tub, or a portable type.

[klinton994]

Waterbear,
Is the air blower and bubblers two seperate items? Could you tell me how they operate? One pool contractor discouraged me against the injection of air, stating it was introducing cold air into the hot water. Is there any validity to that statement?
As I understand, on a basic spa, it's high pressure, hot water, that is being injected into the spa.

[waterbear]

Waterbear,
Is the air blower and bubblers two seperate items? Could you tell me how they operate? One pool contractor discouraged me against the injection of air, stating it was introducing cold air into the hot water. Is there any validity to that statement?
As I understand, on a basic spa, it's high pressure, hot water, that is being injected into the spa.

If all you have on a 'basic spa' is hot water coming in it's not much of a spa, IMHO. Just check out portables and see how much water action they have. This is true of a built in spa or a portable. If you depend on only the pump to supply the water action you will end up with a very large HP pump which is going to be overkill for the pool in a shared system. Even using a variable speed pump, while a solution, is not the best in many cases.
If the ambient tempterature is cold then air blowers AND passive venturi jets (which are the type of jets used in spas) will lower the temperature of the water a bit. If your heater can keep up and is not undersized then it's a moot point (and when you consider that such venturi jets with air controls and blowers are standard on portable units and it is not seen as a disadvantage then I am not sure what your builder is afraid of, unless the heater he is proposing is not up to the job). If you are going with a spillover type of spa then it will basically stay at pool temperature and will have to be heated before use so you will need a heater with fast recovery time on the spa. However, venturi jets are standard spa jets and allow the air to mix with the water to increase the water pressure (and usually have a control to adjust the amount of air that is injected). Blowers add an additional level on top of this and might be hooked into the venturis or just plumbed to bubblers (air injectors). If your builder is not planning on using spa jets but only regular returns you will not have much water movement in the spa and, IMHO, it will be more of a 'kiddie pool" than a spa. Bubblers are air injector jets. Venturi jets mix water and air for more pressure and can be passive (uisng the motion of the water to suck in the air) or connected to the blower for even more pressure from the jet.

[klinton994]

waterbear,
thanks again for your reply. I'm sure the builder was considering the use of the venturi jets in the spa. I think it was his opinion that the air injection for bubblers was an introduction of cold air into a hot tub. He had mentioned the use of a booster pump for the spa. Based on your reply, it doesn't sound like an issue as long as the heater has a high btu rating. Could you define what you mean by fast recovery time on the spa?
I may start another thread to gather more information as to what options to equip the spa with. Such as bubblers, different seating heights, reclined seating, amount and locations of jets. I'm currently looking into what type of purification system to use. I'm interested in salt, but concerned with its affects on stone and concrete. I'm also reading a lot about stray voltages in salt water pools.

thanks again,

[famousdavis]

klinton994,

Why don't you just ask your pool builder for a reference that has a spa like what you're interested in? Then, you can see firsthand what you're getting with the spa options you're considering. For as much money as you're plunking down, you don't want to guess wrong and be disappointed that what you're getting isn't what you were expecting.

[famousdavis]

If you are going with a spillover type of spa then it will basically stay at pool temperature and will have to be heated before use so you will need a heater with fast recovery time on the spa.

The heater you choose has to be balanced between differing objectives: equipment cost, available electrical capacity currently servicing your home (if you're using an electric heater or heat pump), fuel cost, and how quickly you need to have your pool or spa heated up. We chose a heat pump for fuel efficiency and low fuel cost in exchange for longer spa/pool heating times. Even still, our spa, which is right now about 78 degrees, is comfortable in 30 minutes at around 84 degrees, and hot within 90-120 minutes of turning on the heat pump. With just a little foresight, you can enjoy a heated spa on the cheap. It costs me 60 cents an hour to run my heat pump, so for $1.20, I have a hot spa for an evening's relaxation.

[kelemvor]

The heater you choose has to be balanced between differing objectives: equipment cost, available electrical capacity currently servicing your home (if you're using an electric heater or heat pump), fuel cost, and how quickly you need to have your pool or spa heated up. We chose a heat pump for fuel efficiency and low fuel cost in exchange for longer spa/pool heating times. Even still, our spa, which is right now about 78 degrees, is comfortable in 30 minutes at around 84 degrees, and hot within 90-120 minutes of turning on the heat pump. With just a little foresight, you can enjoy a heated spa on the cheap. It costs me 60 cents an hour to run my heat pump, so for $1.20, I have a hot spa for an evening's relaxation.

Wow! I guess I need to look into replacing my propane heater with a heat pump. It takes me about 1 hour to heat my spa, and the heater burns close to two gallons during initial heating (much less to stay at temp). Propane was $4.80 a gallon last time I had the tank filled. What model Jandy heat pump are you using?

[waterbear]

Heat pumps are not suitable for all climates so check with a reputable builder before you do so to see if it is a viable option where you live. I have a heat pump on my spa and pool in N. Fl. (we get the occasional hard freeze here but right now it's in the low 70's and I was in the pool this AM--heated to 85) and it heats my spa to temperature in about 15-40 minutes, depending on the time of year, initial water temperature, and ambient temperature. My heat pump is reverse cycle (heats and cools). However, I do not use it to cool the pool or spa. The reverse cycle feature allows to heat pump to work in ambient temperatures that approach freezing. Normally, heat pumps are ineffective in temperatures below about 50 degrees and a supplemental form of heat such as propane is then needed.