Deep freeze delivery

[silversun]

I'm taking delivery next week but the forecast is extremely cold in the northeast (~15 degrees).

I'm concerned about the process of taking delivery, getting it wired up, filling, and finally heating the tub in those conditions. Seems like the margin for error is much smaller than taking delivery over the summer.

I'm completely new to hot tubs. How concerned should I be of freeze up? Any advice from the experts?

 

[Beck0101]

Considering your tub is not likely traveling to you in a heated truck from the manufacturer I would assume it will be fine outside until you get power to it.

Don't put any water in it until she's fully wired up.  After that you should be good to go. 

 

[Hottubguy]

I've delivered about a dozen tubs In The last 2 weeks. Had one slight issue with a circ pump that got some ice trapped in it. I believe it only happenned because the tub sat outside for a little over a week before the electrician could make it. I'm a bit south of you maybe 50 miles or so, so weather should be similar. Make sure to coordinate electrician same day or day after Tub gets delivered and you will be fine. As far as heating I just filled and started up a tub on the water in Cape Cod. By the morning it will be up to temp. Keep your hose in the house so it's not frozen when you go to fill it

 

[silversun]

Thanks for the advice. I lined up the electrician for the same day.

I thought I had it all figured out, and of course the forecast is now calling for snow!

 

[A Rai]

Put a space heater in the cabinet of the spa for like 3-4 hours BEFORE your electrician hooks it up, to thaw out any ice that may be in the pumps impeller preventing it from spinning. Just an extra measure to take before you go to try to turn it on and say "My pump doesn't work!"

 

[silversun]

Thanks again. after checking the weather again, it's now expected to be 9 degrees that day, and below freezing the day after. Too cold to take the risk. So I ended up moving the delivery to the week after, when the temp is expected to be a little warmer, though likely still below freezing much of the day.

This is still kind of freaking me out so i've done a lot of research on it, including looking through a couple old wtb threats on this exact topic. As of now, here's my plan:
- Get the hot tub delivered in the morning between 8-9.
- place a space heater in the cabinet immediately, on low.
- Have the electrician scheduled for the same day to wire it up - (dealer suggests dry firing to test it).
- fill it with water, quickly. I plan to use semi-hot water from the inside tap (brought out in 5 gallon buckets and poured into the center footwell) combined with cold water from the outside garden hose going straight into the filter (I have a well, so the water is likely under 40 degees,, very cold). the semi-hot tap water should boost the temperature enough to get out of a scary fast freeze up time if something goes wrong, with the added benefit of allowing the tub to heating up faster. Filling from the hose directly through the filter should also prevent an airlock situation.
- ask electrician to stay during the process of filling in case anything goes wrong when switching on the power, since the 400 gallons should go by fairly quickly. I'm estimating about 30-45 mins since I have good water pressure and will be filling via buckets as well.
- turn it on, heat.
- exhale!!

 

[SerjicalStrike]

Do not dry test the electrical in freezing conditions.  If the pumps try to kick on and there is any ice in the impeller, the fuse may blow, or the pump may fail. 

The space heater can be put on at least medium without any issues, and warmer is definitely better. 

 

[Tman122]

Be very mindful of the placement of the heater in your equipment bay. Don't start a tub bon fire in your yard.

 

[Beck0101]

Have you talked to your dealer or the manufacturer about your concerns?  Hot tubs are delivered to northern climates all winter long.  Tubs are able to be winterized and pumps are able to be drained of water.  I'd be shocked if the manufacturer or dealer aren't taking care to ensure they can deliver in just about any weather conditions.

Better safe than sorry though I think you may be overthinking this...

 

[countryboy]

If u power it on dry the heater might burn out too.

 

[silversun]

I ended up pushing out delivery until Presidents day weekend in February - the next weekday I have off work and can be on site for delivery. There's an ongoing construction project at the property, which is directly above the hot tub, and affects the availability of water and electricity. Combine that with the frigid temps, and the fact that we are not even moved in there yet (though could have still used the hot tub since we're only a mile down the road), and its just not worth the risks.

I was in touch with the dealer and got some advice about using the space heater and turning it on dry for just a second and shutting it down before the pumps come on, which I'm told occurs around 15 seconds after turning it on. This 'quick-fire' is designed to test to ensure it's correctly wired up before filling it with water, without risking the pumps.

 

[BullFrogSpasMN]

deep freeze delivery, we did about 10 last week at around -5 below, you really just need to be more aware and make sure everything is coordinated with the electrician and the spa is filled properly to avoid an air lock so it can begin to heat right away.  The dealer should really be assisting so you aren't stressed about it...good luck

 

[Hottubguy]

deep freeze delivery, we did about 10 last week at around -5 below, you really just need to be more aware and make sure everything is coordinated with the electrician and the spa is filled properly to avoid an air lock so it can begin to heat right away.  The dealer should really be assisting so you aren't stressed about it...good luck

+1. I’m been delivering like crazy and we are having sub zero weather here

 

[BullFrogSpasMN]

deep freeze delivery, we did about 10 last week at around -5 below, you really just need to be more aware and make sure everything is coordinated with the electrician and the spa is filled properly to avoid an air lock so it can begin to heat right away.  The dealer should really be assisting so you aren't stressed about it...good luck

+1. I’m been delivering like crazy and we are having sub zero weather here

Ya I've never sold so many spas in December before....economy seems to be doing good and people are def. spending money right now because our ASP's are way up as well, we're adding Smartops, Salt Systems, Stereo's, etc. at an incredible pace...love it!

 

[Cora5]

deep freeze delivery, we did about 10 last week at around -5 below, you really just need to be more aware and make sure everything is coordinated with the electrician and the spa is filled properly to avoid an air lock so it can begin to heat right away.  The dealer should really be assisting so you aren't stressed about it...good luck

+1. I’m been delivering like crazy and we are having sub zero weather here

Hi BullFrogSpasMN, Just curious, what type of salt systems are you adding to your spas? I didn't realize that Bullfrog had a salt system in their spas.

 

[BullFrogSpasMN]

deep freeze delivery, we did about 10 last week at around -5 below, you really just need to be more aware and make sure everything is coordinated with the electrician and the spa is filled properly to avoid an air lock so it can begin to heat right away.  The dealer should really be assisting so you aren't stressed about it...good luck

+1. I’m been delivering like crazy and we are having sub zero weather here

Hi BullFrogSpasMN, Just curious, what type of salt systems are you adding to your spas? I didn't realize that Bullfrog had a salt system in their spas.

They don't..yet, but we are a test market for the system for the past 3 years approx. Here is the system we install on our Bullfrog Spas: https://bluwatertechnology.com/systems/blufusion/ This particular system creates Bromine which I prefer over systems that produce Chlorine....Bromine is simply more stable in a hot water/hot tub environment in my opinion, the system is backed by a full 3 year replacement warranty and cell replacements are under $400 with a life expectancy of around 4-5 years.  I've been installing/working with salt since I installed my first system on a swimming pool back in 2003 and I've probably dealt with every single system on the market at one point or another (other than Arctic Spas Onzen System, I have no experience with it) and I feel this is the best I've dealt with as far as reliability, overall cost/cell replacement cost, warranty, etc. so it works really well.  I do not strongly push the system but rather educate the best I can and let customers make an informed decision and we've found over the past 2 years we are selling it on about 60-65% of our hot tubs that go out the door. Good Luck!

 

[JacuzziJack]

No way would I have a hot tub delivered in sub freezing temps especially if it's sitting outside. The framing is not that strong. They're made to sit horizontally and can 'tolerate' some tipping and off-camber stress, but not much. The less the better. I've moved mine around a lot. Things creak and pop. Plastics don't like extreme cold temps and are highly prone to breakage and damage and there's a bunch of plastics on a hot tub. Guys bring them in and generally they've done several and can handle them with amazing efficiency, but once they are in place, they're gone probably to never return. What damage (if any occurred) are they going to see? Most likely you'd be ok if the handling was very careful, but do you think in below zero temps guys are going to inspect every square inch and look for potential damage? Of course not, it's TOO cold out!

Unless it was extreme damage it isn't going to be detected. As far as anyone knows, at the time of delivery, it was successful. If problems or leaks later develop, who's to say they weren't mfgr issues, or problems that occurred during shipping ...or handling? Of course the local seller will point back to the mfgr, otherwise it'll cost them money to repair. Besides the moving process, the simple act of removing the plastic side panels in near zero or below zero temps ....or any adjustments to the PVC fittings or pumps are all risking damage that wouldn't otherwise occur in warm weather. Just driving the side panel screws back in with a power driver can easily crack (split) the plastic panel board where it's thin at the top and bottom screws and it'll never be 'right' again. I would be most worried about the acrylic surface because if that gets cracked, then you're really screwed. They're never going to see a hairline crack in an obscure location in at or below zero temps. Personally, if I just forked out good $ for a hot tub, I wouldn't want one SINGLE item cracked or damaged which wouldn't have otherwise been broken. The potential risks are a lot higher. Why run the risk? Wait till it's in the 50's...

 

[BullFrogSpasMN]

unfortunately for "northern" dealers we don't have the luxury to "shut down" for 3 months to wait for temps to rise above 50, business must go on, and it does without issues most times, like I mentioned earlier in this thread you just have to be a little more prepared for cold weather deliveries, ie electrician onsite at time, someone competent to fill it and pop an airlock or address any other minor issues should they arise, not a big deal really.  Good Luck!