110 vs 220??

[cornel]

How is it that some can use 110?? are these not any good??  I assume it depends on the jets.  Would like a spa for arthritis in the neck and back. I don't need alot of bells and whistles. I have been looking at some used ones, due to the high forclosure rate in my area there are many for sale.   Is there a brand or type of jet I should look for??

Thanks,
Cindy

[hottubdan]

Hot Spring has been making 110v spas for 30+ years.  Engineered to work properly.  Totally insulated.  Jetted and plumbed properly.  You would do fine with one.

Buying used...make sure you see the spa working.  Many service techs will do an inexpensive check up for you...like buying a used car.

Then, make sure you do a spa purge, superchlorinate and replace the yucky used filter.

[Dr. Spa™ Ret.]

Every electrical component in a spa requires a certain amount of amperage to run. The more components that run simultaneously, the more amperage needs to be supplied to the spa. With 110v you're typically limited to a total of 20 amps. With 220v the maximum amps that can be supplied is somewhat unlimited (at least for this particular application)

Say you have a heater that pulls 12 amps, a jet pump that pulls 12 and a blower that pulls 8 amps.

On 110v, you can't run BOTH the heater AND jet pump at the same time. On 220v you could.

[bearpeidog]

As DR Spa indicated:  Power(watts)=Volts * Amps.  So, as you increase the voltage you reduce the required amps for the same power.

IMO, I prefer 220 where it can be used since you don't have to pull as many amps and the wire gauge can be smaller and won't run as warm. 

However, since it will draw the same power, it won't make a difference in your electric bill.

[Jacuzzi Jim]

  With 220 it will heat much faster than on 110. 

[Gary]

  With 220 it will heat much faster than on 110. 

And maintain temperature better on those cold nights.