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

[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.