Sometimes, it can be tricky to figure out why something isn’t working the way it’s supposed to. For example, you might be asking yourself, why isn’t my hot tub heating up properly? Maybe it’s not heating up at all, or perhaps it’s getting to the right temperature but only staying there momentarily. Regardless of what’s happening, there are a handful of things you can check to see where the issue is coming from. Here are a few of them.
Take a Look at Your Heater
Taking a look at the heater is the first step. You will want to look at the wires and connections to see if they are disconnected or loose. Check to see if anything looks out of place. Maybe you have a wire that’s been chewed by an animal, or they’re frayed or broken. Sometimes, the coating around the heating element can be cracked, leading to heating issues. If anything looks different than it should, then we recommend reaching out to a professional to come in and take a look. If the heater isn’t the issue, however, then here’s what you can take a look at next.
Is Your Cover Causing Problems?
In order to maintain the proper amount of heat in your hot tub, you will need to ensure that your cover is not damaged at all. Starting out with a high-quality, well-insulated cover is a good step to making sure heat can be trapped within the hot tub without escaping.
In many situations, there is nothing wrong with the hot tub itself, but the cover is not retaining heat the way it should, which is why you’re having temperature issues. Covers can either begin sagging or even have rips that allow heat to escape and cold air to come in. So, if after doing a thorough inspection of your cover, you realize that this could be the culprit, then it might be time for a new hot tub cover. On the other hand, if this isn’t the source of the issue, then here’s what you can take a look at next.
Are the Sensors or Switches Not Working Correctly?
More often than not, your hot tub will use electronic switches and sensors to monitor the temperature. Therefore, if there’s an issue with your sensors, the heater could very well be turning off, thinking it’s at the right temperature even when it’s not. This issue is fairly common, but if you notice it’s constantly happening with your hot tub, we recommend having someone come in to see why this might be the case.
Could Your Filter Be the Problem?
Cleaning† your hot tub filter regularly is good practice for many reasons, and allowing your hot tub to run at the set temperature is one of them. This has to do with the fact that if your hot tub has a dirty filter, it will affect the flow rate of the water. This can ultimately turn your heater off altogether. To see if this is the issue, you can remove the cartridge of your filter. Is the water flowing any differently?
When it comes to hot tub filters, the basic rule of thumb is cleaning† every 3 to 4 months and replacing them every 12 to 24 months. If the filter is the issue, cleaning† or replacing it should have things running smoothly again in no time. Remember, once you’ve done this, you will need to hit the reset button on the heater so it can start back up again.
Is the Water Level the Issue?
If your hot tub’s water level isn’t where it needs to be, then every part of your hot tub that requires water to function correctly will stop working. For instance, a hot tub’s skimmer can start drawing in air when it cannot suck in water. This can cause your heater to overheat and shut down.
You can prevent this from happening by regularly adding water into your hot tub to ensure the level is where it needs to be. If a heater has been dealing with low water levels for too long, it could become damaged. However, if it’s still in good shape, simply press the reset button to resolve the issue.
If you’ve made your way through this checklist and still have problems you’re your hot tub’s temperature, then we recommend having professionals come in to do a full inspection of your hot tub.
To learn about choosing the right hot tub for you and your home, download our free buyer’s guide.