If you often dream of owning a hot tub but get bogged down when thinking about the installation process, then maybe a plug and play hot tub would be right for you. What is a plug and play hot tub? Basically, it’s one that you simply plug into any regular electrical outlet, fill with water and get ready to play! Plug and play hot tubs plug into a regular 110-volt electrical outlet that you’ll find anywhere in your house. They remove the need for hiring an electrician, rewiring your house and worrying about complicated electrical procedures. This article will go over plug and play hot tubs in more detail so you can understand if they might work for your situation.
Plug and Play Hot Tub Benefits
Because plug and play hot tubs don’t require any extra wiring, they’re perfect for people who rent their home and have landlords who aren’t enamoured with the thought of having a tenant oversee a rewiring of their property. Plug and play hot tubs also work well for those who might be moving in the near future and would prefer to take their investment with them rather than leaving it behind.
Plug and play hot tubs are portable and easy to install which makes them ideal for temporary situations such as the summer cottage, a vacation rental property or a one-off hot tub party. There’s no need for specialized electrical sockets to get the hot tub up and running so they can be installed anywhere with a stable and level base.
Plug and play hot tubs are typically cheaper than the hardwired variety. By eliminating the need for electrical work as well as reducing the costs of pre-delivery inspections and installation, you’ll end up with a lower overall cost.
Disadvantages of Plug and Play Hot Tubs
Because plug and play hot tubs draw a lower voltage it takes them longer to get up to temperature compared with hardwired tubs that run on 220 volts. While a hardwired hot tub may take about 8 to 10 hours to reach maximum temperature, it may take a plug and play tub 2 to 3 times longer.
A lower voltage draw also affects the capacity of the hot tub pump. Plug and play hot tubs typically come with a 1.5 horsepower motor whereas a hardwired hot tub will have a pump of up to 4 horsepower. To make up for this, most plug and play hot tubs have fewer jets than hardwired tubs.
Plug and play tubs have a harder time retaining heat compared to hardwired tubs. This is because it’s lower voltage cannot run both the heater and the jets at top speed at the same time. Although this might not be a problem during the warmer months, it may pose some issues in the middle of winter.
Plug and Play Hot Tub Types
There are plug and play hot tubs that are made to be especially portable by using soft materials similar to blow up pools. These are great for quick transportation from site to site and will cost less money. However, they’re typically smaller, less durable and have fewer features.
That said, you can also get top of the line plug and play hot tubs that hold up to 5 people, feature superior insulation, LED lighting and customizable cabinets. They’re much more durable than soft-sided tubs but also come at a premium price.
To find out if a plug and play hot tub is right for you, download a hot tub buyer’s guide below, or visit us at our hot tub store.