Hot tubs in Winter

[Tomshop]

I am planning a hot tub for my roof in New York. How concerned should I be about pipes freezing, heater failing, etc?  What temperature do people keep their hot tubs at in cold weather climates in Winter and how long does it take to reach usable temperatures?  I am looking at Jacuzzi J-400.  Thanks in advance.

[buzzsaw90]

just finished my first winter with my tub. As long as you have power, I don't think anything should freeze. Right outside Philly here and we kept it at 102. I went in no matter the weather outside. 102 might feel a bit warm at first, but the tub will cool when you're using it.

I just refilled my tub Friday and it took almost a day to get back up to temp. My heater can raise the temp about 3 degrees/hour.  Took a few hours for the thermostat to stop saying 50 degrees. Must be as low as it will read. So from there I knew I had about 17 hours to go.

[Ryan VSO]

Should take 7-8 hours max , are you on 110 or 220 and whats the model / brand of your hot tub ?

[Isaac-1]

A small 3 or 4 person hot tub can weigh 3,500 -4,000 pounds once you add water a people, a larger 6-8 person tub may weigh over 8,000 pounds, is your roof weight rated to handle this?

you might want to watch this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS2X9Vw_SDY

[Tomshop]

I a building the house to support it. Any sense of what electric costs were?  Are all hit tubs electrification heat or do some use gas?  Concern is what if heat fails/pipes freeze.

[Pers Onal]

  Concern is what if heat fails/pipes freeze.

I am in South Carolina, where winter doesn't last as long, but subfreezing temps are common during Jan Feb.

It's a concern if you lose power, or the heater dies.

I noticed one or more of the newer spas have positive drain design where all pipes will drain. Mine won't do that.

I guess you could use a a gas heat source placed at a entry panel to help prevent freezing in an emergency.  The vast majority of hot tubs use electric heaters.

There should be no issue (other than higher power bills) if everything is working fine.

Actually, I much prefer to use my hot tub in winter than in summer.

[Pers Onal]

  Concern is what if heat fails/pipes freeze.

I am in South Carolina, where winter doesn't last as long, but subfreezing temps are common during Jan Feb.

It's a concern if you lose power, or the heater dies.

I noticed one or more of the newer spas have positive drain design where all pipes will drain. Mine won't do that.

I guess you could use a a gas heat source placed at a entry panel to help prevent freezing in an emergency.  The vast majority of hot tubs use electric heaters.

There should be no issue (other than higher power bills) if everything is working fine.

Actually, I much prefer to use my hot tub in winter than in summer.

102 degrees is wonderful when its cold outside