Hot Tub Questions

[DigitalFisherman]

The wife and I are getting a hot tub, this much has been decided; where we are going to put it has not. I would like it outside but she has decided that she would rather not have to walk outside in the dead of winter in her bikini... personally, I think she is afraid that I will embarass her in front of the neighbors with my recreation of SNL's "James Brown Celebrity Hot Tub"... but that's neither here nor there.

So, i'm nearing the final stages of a basement remodle and the chief extracurricular activities coordinator has decided that the area that was going to be my bar is the perfect place for an indoor hot tub.

I'm wondering if any of you have had indoor tubs and what the experiance was like. Did you have moisture problems or anything like that? Would having a hot tub indoors, in the general vacinity of a tv be worth sacrificing beer on tap and a fooseball table?

[lawdog]

There are a lot of issues with adding an indoor hot tub, most notably plumbing, electrical, space and moisture. We just have a whirlpool tub in the bathroom, but there is definitely moisture involved with a hottub and you need to exhaust it. Also you need a lot of water to fill a tub and one of those big roman tub faucets is a must. Plus you'll have to build up some type of tub surround or decking for it too. A regular big hottub suitable for celebrity party status will take up a big room...

[DigitalFisherman]

Thanks for the reply lawdog.

The mechanical aspect at this point is a non factor. It would be east for me to install a 220 circuit and if it goes in the basement, I will put in a dedicated floor drain and a cedar surrond. I guess my main concerns are moisture and temp. Will a tub effect the temp in the rest of the room, aprox 450 sq ft, and if I put in an exhaust fan on a humidistat, would that be enough to controll the humidity?

[jstirewalt]

DigitalFisherman:

I am going through the same process and I am in the final stages of completion. I added on a room strictly for the hot tub and consulted a couple of HVAC people to make sure I did it right. The outcome, I have a direct vent 300 CFM fan directly above the hot tub as a last resort. This is used when the tub is used for extended times. When you use only and exhaust fan, the air that is pumped out must be replaced with outside air and when it is cold outside, your energy required to reheat the outside air can be spendy - depending on how often you use the tub. What I did was install an air exchanger designed for high humidity environments that "exchanged" the air in this room only. This way, you are reusing some of the heat before it is vented to heat the incoming air. I also added a reheat coil on the intake side of the air exchanger. All should be good in theory, just hope I get a chance to try it out soon!

Jeff

[MIKE IN lINO III]

Digital,

Put that bad boy outside.

We have one on the deck just outside the bedroom, the wife uses it almost everynight and I am possitive she is a bigger freeze baby than your wife. Have her where a bath robe to the tub and once it is time to get out all she has to do is towel off and she will have plenty of time to get in the house before she even feels the cold.

There is nothing like sitting in the tub when it is -40 degrees and having your hair froze solid sitting in 102 degree water, watching the deer and drinking your favorite adult beverage.

Good Luck,

Mike

[fishwidow]

I agree with Mike. Outside is great, especially when it's cool (cold) out. If you have the privacy it's nice to not have a wet swim suit on.

[Deitz Dittrich]

We have an outside one too.. Its about 15 feet from our patio door across the deck to the tub. I wouldnt have it any other way. My wife is also a freeze baby.. but you put ear muffs on and crank up the heat. We have been in ours when it was below 0... but the nights when the steam rises from it as the sun is setting is something I would really miss if it was indoors.

[wayne123]

I vote for outside too. We had one outside at our old house and it was great.

Something’s to think about for inside:

If you have kids they splash a lot of water so plan for it.

My dad just installed one indoors and he uses peroxide instead of the regular hot tub chemicals. This way your house will not smell. He found they use peroxide at the physical therapy place.

[lip_ripper]

Another vote here for outside.

It's amazing after sitting in 102 degree water and stepping outside how long it actually takes to start feeling the cold.

Spring and Fall nights at 20 above were made for jumpin in tubs!

[bbqhead]

outside! i actually have 2 tubs, 1 is in a 3 season

porch. the other is built into the deck, we use the outside

one more year round.

randy aka bbqhead

[colonel42]

I also have my hottub outside. There is nothing better then a cold clear star filled sky in 104 degree water. The bevie in hand and your hot wife without a suite on. When it is cold one word of advice is don't get your hair wet then it won't freeze. I have been in mine when it was -14 below zero. The steam from the water will keep your head warm. If you do put it in your house I would suggest using Bromine instead of chlorine just because of the smell. As said before if you have kids be prepared for clean up inside or out. When the kids are in mine in the winter time I could make a skating rink around it with all the water splashed around. Mine is the softside hottub and I built a deck around the outside of it just for sitting to cool down or mainly just for setting bevies on. They are great especially after a long day at work. I have had numerous knee surgurys and feel like a million buck every night after I get out. Sleep like a baby too. Good luck on where ever you put it and I guarentee you will love it.

[Grandee]

I work with people all the time, helping them decide what is best for them--inside vs. outside. 85% of the people put there spas outside. It is a big investment, you want to make sure you utilize your purchase. If you have some specific questions feel free to e-mail me. I would be happy to assist you in placement, foundation, chemical, electrical, ect. Good luck, they are a great investment. [email protected]