Here’s What You Need to Know About Installing a Hot Tub

Are you thinking about installing a hot tub on your property? We’ve been getting a lot of requests for help installing hot tubs lately–and for good reason! Spas and hot tubs can be a great addition to your Denver backyard.

Who doesn’t love a nice long soak in a hot tub on a cool night, especially here in Colorado? Plus, a hot tub is a great way to help keep your kids active and entertained year-round! And because hot tubs are a cost-effective alternative to a pool, we’re not surprised to see how popular they are here in the Denver area.

The experienced Denver electricians at Absolute Plumbing, Electrical, Heating & Air are ready to help make your family’s hot tub dream a reality. We make installation quick and stress-free.

Before you give us a call about getting your hot tub hooked up, here are a few things you should know about what it takes to install a hot tub–and what you should be prepared for once yours is finally off the showroom floor and ready to set up at home.

We Evaluate Your Electrical System’s Capacity

Adding a spa or hot tub to your property takes some preparation. Much as we’d love for it to be as easy as plugging in a toaster, it’s not.

Depending on the age and condition of your home, your electrical system may show signs of aging or faulty wiring. Our experienced technicians will make sure to evaluate your current system to make sure it is up to code and can safely handle the additional load of a new hot tub.

We Put Safety First

Once our technicians inspect your current electrical system, they’ll let you know if you need to make any changes or updates to your electrical panel in order to safely operate your hot tub.

Another happy Absolute customer! © Absolute Plumbing, Electrical, Heating & Air

4 Signs That Your Electrical Panel is Overdue for an Inspection

1. Your lights flicker when appliances like your refrigerator, air conditioner or hot tub motor are running

2. Your breakers trip frequently

3. You hear a crackling sound from your panel

4. You have a fuse box instead of an electrical panel

5. A circuit breaker does not trip when overloaded, like when you have multiple electronic devices plugged in and running simultaneously

Any of these unsafe issues are warning signs that your electrical service panel is in need of an upgrade. Why?

Depending on the age of your home, it could require more power than what was originally provided at the time it was built. Houses built more than 10 years ago were not wired to accommodate the growing technology used in most homes today, nor do they have the required additional breaker space to handle the heftier electrical demands of today’s homes.

If adding a hot tub isn’t a safe option with your current electrical system, we can perform an electrical panel upgrade. This upgrade will help to make your system safe and give it the capacity it needs to properly run your new hot tub for months and years to come.

Without an electrical panel upgrade, your electrical system won’t be able to run your hot tub. Furthermore, a dated, unsafe panel could result in loss of power or, in the worst of cases, a fire in your home. This is one upgrade you simply can’t afford to delay.

You May Need an Electrical Subpanel

If your spa or hot tub is 220 volts, we’ll need to install a subpanel with a GFCI circuit breaker to comply with UL listings from the manufacturer (and protect your hot tub from unusual fluctuations or deviations in your power supply).

To pass inspections and your homeowner’s insurance requirements, the subpanel should be wired between the main meter and the spa itself.

While we’re at it, we can even take care of concealed wiring for overhead lighting like the installation below!

Wiring for outdoor lighting? No problem! © Absolute Plumbing, Electrical, Heating & Air

We Help You Choose the Best Location for Your Hot Tub

Depending on the layout and size of your home and yard, there may be quite a few options for where you could install your hot tub or spa. You could position it near a pool, on a deck, close to your home, or in a far corner of your yard. You could even opt to install it indoors!

Our expert technicians will help you consider a variety of factors that go into choosing the perfect location for your hot tub or spa.

A relaxing hot tub in the hills © Absolute Plumbing, Electrical, Heating & Air

Which Location is Most Convenient?

One location on your property may be a more convenient choice, both in terms of proximity to electricity and plumbing, as well as proximity to your home (for cold winter nights) or proximity to a pool (for easy back-and-forth between the pool and spa).

Is Privacy a Priority?

If your home is situated on acreage or in the woods, privacy may not be a concern. But if you have neighbors in a two-story house, it may be best to consider strategic placement of your hot tub–or at least a gazebo, some privacy panels, or curtains for added privacy.

New hot tub with a freestanding safety disconnect © Absolute Plumbing, Electrical, Heating & Air

Where is the Wind Most Comfortable?

This one is easy to overlook, but wind is an important factor in choosing the location of your hot tub. Does the area you’re considering encounter a lot of wind? If so, even in the hotter months, sitting on the edge of a hot tub can get unbearably cold if the wind kicks up.

On the flip side, positioning your hot tub in a location where the air is hot and doesn’t circulate well can make for a stuffy, uncomfortably warm experience. Finding a spot in your yard with just the right amount of breeze can make or break the enjoyment of your hot tub.

What Works Best With the Denver Climate?

It’s important to remember the Colorado weather, your preferred amount of shade, and your tolerance for sun when choosing the best hot tub location.

A hot tub with southwest exposure will take advantage of the maximum amount of daylight hours. If you adore the sun and warmth, this is a good option.

If you want a bit of relief from the sun, even during cooler winter months (because that Colorado sun shines year-round!), a hot tub that faces north or east (or northeast) might be best for you.

Quick Recap

From start to finish, Absolute Plumbing, Electrical, Heating & Air is here to help make your hot tub installation a breeze! We evaluate your home’s current electrical capacity, ensure top-of-the-line safety protocols, and help you choose the perfect location for your hot tub.

And we do it all with the friendliness and professionalism you’d expect from a top-notch service provider. Whether you’re updating an older hot tub installation or looking forward to a brand new one, look no further. We’re here to help!

New patio, new hot tub, new fun! © Absolute Plumbing, Electrical, Heating & Air

Request an Estimate Today!

At Absolute Plumbing, Electrical, Heating & Air, our trustworthy, reliable experts can help make your hot tub installation stress-free and enjoyable. Call us today at 720-669-4188 or contact us online to get your expert estimate–fair and honest every time!

Freestanding safety disconnect for hot tub in middle of yard © Absolute Plumbing, Electrical, Heating & Air