I am sure that in a few days Thermal spas will call you back and have found a $15K tub that was ordered but the little old lady in Michigan can't take delivery of it, and if you act now, they can get it over to you for only $12000.
From what I've read, T-spas aren't the worst spas out there, But there prices and sales tatics are criminal.
Given that:
Ozinators: Corona Discharge Ozinators are very popular. Although it's difficult to quantify how well they are working, most folks who purchased a CD ozinator that runs 24/7 in a contact chamber report good results. After market add ons, and or the ones not running continuely have questinable results.
Pump size plumbing etc: all good points and there are many issues that effect plumping and pumps and the only way to tell is to wet test. Get into the tub and see if YOU like the jet pressure, configuariton, too strong? too weak? the layout. Ect. WET TEST.
As far as heaters and all that ? WARRANTY. All the major brands offer decent warrantys on the heaters.
(Not prorated like Tspas.) Some manufactuers have no fault warranties on the heaters, other will only warrant them if the water chemistry was kept correct.
Insuation? Foam or a thermal cabinet? It's been arugued around and around and around on which is better and which is worse. - buy a brand name QUALITY Tub- and the insualtion issue is moot. A cheap thermal tub will cost a fortune to heat in the winter, A cheap full foam tub will be a nightmare to repair. Buy quality.
That being said I think Jaquizzi and Artesian both enjoy fairly decent reputations. I am not familliar with free stle spas.
