Considering installing a hot tub? I know you have questions – I had them too! Can I afford one, will I use it enough, are they hard to manage? Like everything, hot tubs have their pros and cons.
Hot tubs can be a great way to relax, relieve stress and enjoy quality time with friends and family. They are also practical in terms of both space and cost compared to swimming pools.
However, there are some pros and cons of hot tubs that you should consider before making your decision.
Keep reading for an overview of the benefits and drawbacks of hot tubs, including information on relaxation, health benefits, costs, and potential health risks.
Read on to learn more about what hot tubs have to offer!
Quick Answer:
Hot tubs provide a relaxing environment and social experience, while also relieving stress, and pain and improving sleep quality. They take up less space and cost less than swimming pools, but the initial costs and maintenance can be high. Health risks are also possible if not properly maintained. You know you want one!
Pros of Hot Tubs
First up, let’s take a look at what’s great about owning a hot tub.
Create a Relaxing Environment
The hot tub helps create a relaxing environment where all you need to do is sit back and calm your mind and body down. This is particularly useful at the end of a long day or week so that you can wash away anything that might be troubling you for the time being.
Playing some music alongside your hot tub session or reading a book can help provide even more relaxation and time that you might not otherwise be able to achieve.
Health Benefits of Using a Hot Tub or Spa
Apart from letting you relax, hot tubs are also useful in terms of your health and well-being, especially in the following manners.
Stress Relief
Hot tubs and their warm temperatures can help soothe your mind and relieve your stress by allowing you to spend some time by yourself or with your loved ones. This also extends to the stress that parts of your body might be feeling.
Pain Relief
The heat from hot tubs can spread throughout your body and help relax your muscles and joints while also resulting in a reduction in potential pains and aches. This is useful even for those with chronic conditions like arthritis.
In addition to heat therapy, hot tubs also provide buoyancy, which can further alleviate pain and discomfort. The buoyant effect of the water helps to reduce the pressure on your joints, allowing for greater ease of movement and relieving the strain on your muscles.
This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with conditions such as fibromyalgia or back pain, as the water’s buoyancy helps to support the body’s weight and reduces the impact on sensitive areas.
The gentle massaging action of the water jets in hot tubs can stimulate blood circulation, promoting healing and reducing inflammation, providing additional pain relief benefits.
Improved Sleep Quality
After spending some time in the hot tub, you are likely to start feeling drowsy and sleepy due to your mind and body becoming relaxed. The increase in body temperature followed by a cooling period helps establish the temperature needed for your body to sleep quicker and better.
A hot tub session in the evening can help set you up for a good night’s sleep!
The Social Experience of Hot Tubs
Hot tubs come in various sizes, with most of them being suitable for two or more people to use at the same time. Stepping into the hot tub with your partner or family or even a larger group of people is a wonderful way to spend time with your loved ones and catch up on your day or week.
This can help you relieve your stress and improve your mood while also engaging you in stimulating conversations.
Less Space and Costs Than a Swimming Pool
Hot tubs are highly practical to use and install compared to pools since they take up less space and also tend to cost much less both with installation as well as in terms of maintenance.
In terms of space, hot tubs are a more convenient option for those with limited backyard or outdoor space. They are smaller than swimming pools, allowing for easier installation in compact areas. Plus, hot tubs can be installed both indoors and outdoors, providing even more flexibility for homeowners.
When it comes to cost, hot tubs are more affordable than swimming pools. The initial installation costs of a hot tub are significantly lower, especially when compared to the expenses associated with excavating and constructing a swimming pool.
Hot tubs also mean lower ongoing maintenance costs. They typically have simpler filtration and heating systems, resulting in lower energy consumption and reduced maintenance requirements.
This makes hot tubs a more cost-effective option for those who want to enjoy the relaxation and therapeutic benefits of a water feature without breaking the bank.
Cons of Hot Tubs
Despite the benefits, you must be aware of some disadvantages of hot tubs. Go through some of these below.
High Initial Costs
Hot tubs can be quite expensive to purchase, although there are loads of economy models available. You can get started with a very basic hot tub for around $1000 but you can also go up to over $20,000!
Add to this the cost of installation (for some models) and this could up the overall initial costs by a significant amount.
Regular Maintenance Expenses
Keeping the water and hot tub clean is extremely crucial to ensure that you have a hygienic experience. This will also keep your hot tub efficient for longer. However, this kind of maintenance ends up adding to your costs, given that you will need to clean, shock, drain, repair, and refill your tub often.
Costs of water may also apply here along with other expenses if you have additional features in your hot tub.
I’m biased of course, but using good hot tub maintenance information – on sites like this – can help manage your maintenance costs. Just saying!
Potential Health Risks of Hot Tubs?
Hot tubs can pose several potential health risks if they are not properly maintained and used. One common risk is the spread of bacteria, such as Legionella, which can cause a severe form of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease. This bacteria can thrive in warm water environments like hot tubs, especially if the water is not adequately treated with disinfectants like chlorine or bromine.
Another health risk is the transmission of other infections, such as skin infections or gastrointestinal illnesses, through contaminated water.
Then, hot tubs can also increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially if the water temperature is excessively high or if individuals spend too much time in the hot tub, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, or nausea.
You do need to take care with your hot tub chemicals. Although necessary to keep the water quality just right, too much (or too little) can cause problems. Too much chlorine is a common problem that can cause health risks.
There are ways to maintain your hot tub by using natural alternatives – and reducing chemical use. And for safety test your hot tub water quality regularly – and after adding any chemicals.
Don’t panic though, these all sound pretty scary but in most cases, you’ll be fine. Simple maintenance will keep the water quality safe and some common sense will take care of the rest. If you have any medical conditions it is worth checking with your doctor if a hot tub would be safe for you.
Final Thoughts
If you are thinking of installing a hot tub, you must know about the pros and cons of hot tubs before you make a decision. With hot tubs, you get the best of both worlds: relaxation for your mind and body while also allowing time to spend with loved ones.
The costs of hot tubs are more affordable than pools, but they can still be a bit pricey upfront and in terms of maintenance expenses. And remember, taking good care of your hot tub maintenance is crucial to prevent any potential health risks.
Thanks for reading!
