After a hard day of trekking and touring, soaking in a hot tub can help relieve muscle soreness and tension while also relaxing you. Get a peaceful night’s sleep before waking up to do it all again the next day.
Sounds pretty good, right? Cool spring, summer, and fall evenings in Ontario are ideal for a soak in the hot tub. If you’re considering adding a hot tub to your cottage, here are three things to consider.
The Location
When you ask a Muskoka Real Estate what’s important when looking for the right home, they’ll tell you “location, location, location.” This logic also applies to hot tubs and where you’ll be putting them on your property! Where do you intend to put your hot tub? Ensure that all of its components—the pump, electrical equipment, and plumbing—are easily accessible for maintenance and repair. The tub must be level, so unless you’re building it on a ground-level patio, a concrete or gravel base may be required.
And consider what you want to gaze at—pointless it’s to spend money on a spa if your view is going to be your neighbour’s siding or compost heap.
If you live in a northern climate and use your hot tub seasonally, properly winterizing it will keep it in good condition and save you hundreds of dollars in service calls.
Budget
A nice hot tub will generally cost between $7,000 and $10,000, which should include delivery, a cover, and installation. Keep in mind, however, that there are other expenditures connected with installation, such as electrical connectivity with a dedicated ground fault circuit interrupter (which must be done by an electrician) and, potentially, a concrete or gravel basis.
If you want to install a hot tub on an existing deck, you’ll probably need to reinforce the framework, which is best done by a professional.
Finally, consider continuing costs such as chemicals, maintenance, and electricity—even if your hot tub is only used seasonally, it still adds to your energy consumption.
Saving money by purchasing a low-cost hot tub can turn out to be an expensive affair. Cheaper models may have less insulation, a thinner cover, and less effective pumps and heaters, resulting in higher operating expenses that quickly outweigh any initial savings. Larger isn’t always better, especially when it comes to pumps. Choose a pump that is the perfect size for your tub, and your operating costs will be reduced.
Personal Preferences
Most hot tub sellers will let you crawl inside the tub you’re thinking about buying—and, with advance notice, some will even let you put on your suit and do a test swim. Height and weight can have an impact on how comfortable a hot tub is, so make sure the seats are comfy, there is adequate space in the foot wells, and the hot tub isn’t too deep or too shallow.
You should also be realistic about the number of individuals who will be in the tub at the same time. If you frequently have relatives and friends over, a larger model would be a good idea—but don’t buy something larger than you need just because you might have a party.
Finally, take special features into account. Several hot tubs come with sound and video systems, illuminated cascades and lights, and even watertight protection for your smartphone. You may either strive for the most technically advanced model of a hot tub or wish to avoid these extra additions together for some simple jet functions!
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