if you want to hear more information I don't think this is the place to get it
Actually, this is a great board on which to get information. The problem with stabone is that he didn't realize that many people here have gone through many engineering debates in the past.
People on here are either:
1) Dealers
2) Hot tub geeks
3) Shoppers
Most posters, I would wager, are 1, followed by 2, followed by 3.
Stabone went into the Arctic pitch and got very insulting and was buried with the same vitriole he spewed.
Search these forums to get substance on the following items:
1) Circulation pump or not?
2) How to support the plumbing
3) Type of bases
4) Methods of filtration
5) Full foam bversus thermopane insulation
6) Types of thermopane insulation
7) The fallacy of # jets and HP ratings
8 ) Adequate (and overkill) R-factors.
9) Energy efficiency and operating cost
10) chemical usage and maintenance ease
Arctic, as I have heard, is an OK tub with a big price tag and an over-the-top sales pitch, which is required to sell an "ok" tub at a large price.
Some suspicious claims I've heard from arctic people on this forum:
1)
Their single filter provides "the equivalent of" 900sq ft of filtration at 1 micron and must be replaced twice a year.There are several problems with this, from claims to actual usage if the claims were true.
2)
Arctic does not need the heater to heat the water. Arctic, like many tubs, recycles pump heat back into the water. This claim is true, it is the uniqueness of the claim which is bogus. Additionally, it is not possible to control how much heat radiates up and it becomes difficult to keep the temp steady (this is called heat creep). This is especially difficult in the summer.
3)
Arctic plumbing uses better flex piping. This piping is heavier and requires more support, which, based on discussions in this forum, does not exist.
4)
Arctic insulates the cabinet, not the shell and this is a good thing. This can cause the shell to pull in, provides no good support of plumbing or shell, and makes pump motors run in a hotter environment, which is bad for them.
5)
Arctic equipment is not kept out in the cold. Arctic equipment runs in the heated inner air space which causes more stress on the equipment. To prevent motor burnout Arctic cuts slits in the cabinet to allow air in, which, oddly, eradicates their thermolock design. Since the equip is INSIDE the heated area, you must vent the heated area, which will destroy the heated area on cold and/or windy days. Most manufacturers foam and insulate the SHELL and leave the hot-running equipment in a vented area for a reason.
6)
The Arctic fiberglass base is the best out there These bases can fail for several reasons because of what they are made of. Microcracks are caused by sliding and moisture seeping up from the base (concrete, wood, peblles, whichever). There are much better bottom-base materials to be used here.
7)
Arctic uses the best covers around, and that saves you money . After the first 2 inches of foam you get very little extra insulation benefit. Worse, heat doesn't "rise" (hot air does, which is different than heat). Heat leaks to where it is cold, like down into that cold fiberglass bottom, or out through those vents that the equipment needs to operate.
8 )
Arctic tubs are built like a polar bear. This is true. Go gut a polar bear, crawl inside, and you very may well recreate the Arctic experience.
9)
Arctic tubs runs more efficiently than competitors . Bunk. A study was done which showed Hot Springs and Arctic being very efficient. This was done to put Arctic in league with a FF, established dealer. To be brief, the test did not target many of arctic's weaknesses, especially with regards to wind which would greatly affect the thermolock via the equipment ventilation slots. Arctic does not claim to cost less money per month to run than any other tub.
10)
Arctic filtration is the best. No. A single filter clogs very quickly, especially one with only 1 micron holes in it. Since Arctic does NOT use no-bypass filtration, as the filter clogs (which happens pretty quick at 1 micron) water will more easily bypass the filter.
11) There is no 11, Spinal Tap be darned. If I've lied above, others will point it out right quick.
There are many other points to be made regarding ozonators, heaters, shell design, jet placement, warranty honoring, it's just too late to go into it.
All my info comes from reading these boards and just a few months of hot tub nerdy research. I'm not a dealer.
"Fight Arctic Sales Pitches -- Get An Education"
No doubt people own arctic spas and enjoy them. Most probably, they have never owned a more mainstream spa before, either. The problem isn't the tub. If someone wants to overpay for a so-so tub there are much worse ways to do so. But don't go dropping $11k (can't remember if this was the retail price or not) for a tundra and think you couldn't have gottom something nicer for $7k.
The problem is the misconception by some dealers that Arctic is a religion. Worse, it is a sales pitch which uses "proof by analogy" and "pseudo-science" to trap people unfamiliar with hot tubs.
-Ed
