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

[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.