We have had a Caldera Geneva for two years now. The first month or two it was non stop. We have now fallen into the rhythm of owning one and it is about 4 or 5 times per week, and we actually wish we could use it every day but sometimes don’t have the time. The advice of having it a close location is very true. Ours is 5 steps inside the house from the bathroom and one step outside the house a must in the cold snowy winters up here. I put a covered pergola over it as much as I hated the idea but with the snow and rain here it was needed. I also have curtains around it I can draw for the winter winds or summer privacy when needed. The best thing I did was install an outside spigot that can be switched in the house for hot / cold or mixed temp water. Hot water clears snow and ice fast and is nice for topping off the water. In the evening like last night I go out and clear the snow and open up the tub check the water and turn on the lights in the tub. Maybe 5 minutes max. go in and shower and straight in the tub. Last night it was a blizzard out and in the teens and the tub was wonderful we were in about 45 minutes. After getting out dried off and some cloths on I added chems and closed it up.
Two reasons to have a tub social and therapeutic we use ours for both and it was designed to be both. if you buy more of a social tub I don’t think you will use it as much. We don’t have a pool as mentioned above and use ours all summer in a mode that shuts the heat off all day and then warms it for later in the evening. during the summer water in the mid 90’s is great during the day.
To be totally honest we have friends that pulled their tub for lack of use and they felt they were wasting money heating it. My opinion is it is worth every penny tenfold.