How to Prevent Your Hot Tub from Freezing this Winter

Whether we want to admit it or not, autumn is here in Northeast Ohio and Erie, Pennsylvania, and that means that winter will be knocking on our doors before we know it. The colder weather makes the perfect time to warm up, get cozy, and relax in your hot tub. To ensure you can enjoy your hot tub all year round, especially during the blistery weather, it’s important to prevent your hot tub from freezing this winter. That’s right, your hot tub can actually freeze. We are going to review ways to keep your hot tub fully functional and from icing up.

Should I keep my hot tub open during the winter?

Nothing is more stimulating than sitting in a warm hot tub while snow falls around you. Because of this, many people decide to keep their hot tub open during the colder winter months, simply for that experience. Deciding to keep your hot tub open throughout the winter is up to you and there are a few things you should consider when making your decision.

In the winter, unlike in the warmer months, the heat of the sun and outdoors will not help to warm up your spa. When it’s cold outside, your hot tub will take longer to heat up, and your energy bills can increase. It’s important to keep your hot tub protected with a year-round cover. The right cover can help to keep some or most of the heat in.

If you don’t plan on using your hot tub in the winter, it may be a good idea to close it up for the season. You should properly drain it before it gets too cold to prevent it from freezing. Most hot tub damage that occurs during the cold months is caused by freezing water, which is what can happen if you don’t properly winterize your hot tub. This damage can end up costing you much more than just running it during the winter months.

How can I prevent my hot tub from freezing this winter?

Northeast Ohio and Erie, PA winters can be brutal and like Lake Erie ices up almost every year, so can your hot tub. Let’s review some tips for how to prevent your hot tub from freezing this winter, so you can enjoy it, even when the beaches are closed.

Change the Water and Clean Your Spa: Before the weather is too cold, you should thoroughly clean your spa and change the water. You should not do this when it is cold out, as it can cause ice to develop. By cleaning your hot tub and having fresh water, you can ensure that it is ready for the winter months ahead. It’s important to regularly clean your hot tub and you should plan to drain your spa completely for a thorough cleaning every three to four months; do this right before the cold weather hits.
Monitor Your Water Level: A full hot tub stays warmer longer and uses less energy. If your water level drops too low, your pump and heater could shut down, resulting in ice and possible damage to your hot tub. Check the water level often in the winter, especially if you don’t use your spa on a daily basis.
Add an Insulating Spa or Thermal Blanket: An insulating/thermal blanket is an insulated, floating blanket that lies on top of your hot tub water, between the water and your hot tub cover. The first line of defense against escaping heat, is an insulating spa blanket. Insulating spa blankets decrease evaporation by up to 95% and reduce heat loss.
Utilize a Quality Cover: Ohio and Pennsylvania are in a cold weather winter region, so it’s essential to have a spa cover with a higher foam weight and foam density to improve the cover’s R-value. A hot tub cover with a larger R-value number means it has better insulating properties that will enhance the heat retention in your hot tub, thus saving you money in energy costs. Before winter arrives, inspect your current hot tub cover and make sure it is in good condition and fit to withstand the elements, if not, it is a good idea to replace it.
Keep Water Circulating: Even when you are not using your hot tub, it is a good idea to keep the water circulating, to prevent it from freezing on really cold days. The movement of the water can save your hot tub from developing ice in the pipes. A lot of newer hot tubs have freeze protection and the jets and heaters automatically turn on when temperatures drop to a certain level.
Schedule Hot Tub Maintenance: The best way to ensure that your hot tub will be there to provide you with an escape from the cold all winter, is to schedule hot tub maintenance prior to the season fully setting in. Regular hot tub maintenance helps you to avoid, not only a grimy hot tub, but costly repairs and unexpected breakdowns.

If you are keeping your spa open this winter, you need to prevent it from freezing. This should be a rather simple task. If you don’t want to worry about the pre-winter preparations, Litehouse Pools & Spas can help.

Setting up a hot tub maintenance schedule with Litehouse Pools & Spas will help you ensure a clean and working hot tub this winter and all year round. Our professionals will clean your hot tub cover, hose and clean the inside of your spa, rinse and soak filters, complete a system check, inspect your hot tubs’ chemical balance, and more. Let us do the work for you, so you can enjoy your hot tub without the effort.

If you chose to close your hot tub for the season, we can help with that as well. We offer hot tub opening and closing services.