From ozonators to covers, hot tubs consist of many parts with each performing its own distinct function.
If you’re new to the world of hot tubs, the sheer amount of parts involved might seem overwhelming. To help simplify things, we’ll go over some of the most important hot tub parts and what they do, including:
- Pumps
- Ozonators
- Filters
- Chemicals
- Covers
Read on to find out what each part is and why it’s essential to a great hot tub experience.
Hot Tub Pumps
Although most people don’t spend much time thinking about their hot tub’s pump, it’s arguably the most crucial part. Without a pump, your hot tub would become nothing more than an outdoor freestanding bathtub.
Pumps do everything that makes hot tubs different from baths: They circulate the heated water to ensure an even temperature and push air and water out of the jets to create that lovely massaging experience you love.
Hot tub pumps themselves contain two major parts:
- Impeller
- Motors
The impeller is a rotor that spins to increase the pressure and flow of the hot tub’s water, while the motor uses electricity to supply power to the impeller.
Spa Ozonators
Ozonators are ozone generators which modify standard oxygen molecules (O₂) and turn them into ozone molecules (O₃). The ozone molecules are then pumped into the hot tub water via small jets, where they eliminate bacteria, fungi, mold, and other contaminants through the process of oxidation.
In addition to purifying the water, ozonators also:
- Promote skin health.
- Create a scent that’s reminiscent of summer rain.
- Leave behind no byproduct other than pure oxygen.
For these reasons, ozonators are a highly popular way to naturally purify hot tub water while cutting down on harsh chemicals. Read more about the importance of ozonators.
Hot Tub Filters
Unlike ozonators, filters require no electricity and don’t actively kill bacteria and other contaminants. Instead, they passively trap dirt, debris and other particles as the hot tub’s water flows through them.
This is another reason why hot tub pumps are important: The more water the pump can push through the filter, the cleaner the hot tub’s water will be.
When combined with an ozonator and chemicals like bromine or chlorine, filters work to ensure that your hot tub water is pure and safe to soak in.
It’s important for hot tub owners to realize the importance of regularly maintaining and changing their hot tub filter.
To ensure that your hot tub water is always as clean as possible, rinse out your filter with water every one to four weeks and replace it every three to six months. If you use your hot tub on a daily or near-daily basis, you may also need to soak your filter in a deep cleaning solution between replacements.
For more details, take a look at our filter cleaning guide.
Hot Tub Chemicals
Although not a physical part of hot tubs, chemicals play an invaluable role in purifying hot tubs’ water.
To treat their hot tub water, most people use either chlorine or bromine. Each has its own distinct benefits. Chlorine can be a good choice because it kills contaminants nearly instantly, while bromine takes longer to eliminate contaminants.
However, bromine is typically the most popular choice because it’s more stable in warm water, smells and feels less harsh than chlorine and needs to be replaced less frequently than chlorine.
Alternatively, hot tub owners can use mineral-based purifiers to clean their hot tub’s water.
Additional chemicals used to clean and maintain hot tubs include:
- pH balancers.
- Descalers for eliminating calcium buildup.
- Shock oxidizers to remove sweat, residue and chlorine odor.
- Sodium bromide to create a bromide reserve that can be activated later by bromine tablets.
- Defoamers to remove foam buildup from the water’s surface.
Check out our Hot Tub Chemicals Guide to find out more about basic water chemistry and how you can add chemicals to your hot tub.
Spa Covers
Although hot tub covers are often viewed as a convenient accessory rather than a necessity, they are a crucial layer of defense that can drastically increase hot tubs’ longevity.
A high-quality hot tub cover can:
- Prevent leaves, sticks and insects from entering the hot tub, thereby extending the lifespan of the filter.
- Help maintain the water temperature, thereby reducing the workload placed on the pump and heater.
- Protect the hot tub from rain, snow and sun, thereby preventing cracking, bleaching and other damage.
To preserve the functionality and appearance of their hot tub, it’s essential that hot tub owners always replace the hot tub cover after every use. Learn more about the benefits of hot tub covers.
Together, every one of a hot tub’s parts works to create a clean, safe and comfortable soaking experience for years to come.
By familiarizing yourself with major hot tub parts, you’ll be able to actively extend the lifespan of your hot tub and ensure that you always get the most out of your spa.
