Hot Tub Not Hot Enough? This May Be the Culprit
When you sink into your hot tub after a long day, you’re expecting to be immediately enveloped by warm water. But what happens when it’s just lukewarm or even cool? If your hot tub isn’t heating properly, there could be a number of factors affecting its ability to give you the warm water soak you were looking forward to. Read on to learn more about the different causes of your hot tub not heating up and how to go about fixing the issue.
1. Check the Heater
Your hot tub heater is made up of many different parts. From connection wires and filaments to voltage and power continuity, a lot can happen within your heating element. If you notice your hot tub water not getting hot enough, it’s worth a look into checking the heater. Give the wires and connections a once over, ensuring they are plugged in and fully connected. Also check to make sure they are frayed, split or filaments cracked as that can also affect their functionality.
When in doubt regarding your heater, give the hot tub service professionals a call. They will easily be able to check the voltage and power continuity to confirm if the heater is working or not.
2. Is Your Thermostat Calibrated Correctly?
If your hot tub isn’t heating up correctly, but your thermostat says it is fine, you may need to make some adjustments. Old spa heaters and old hot tubs are outfitted with mechanical thermostats that have a copper wire and capillary bulb to read the temperature. If you suspect the calibration is off, turn the hex head adjustment screw at the end of the switch ¼ clockwise and wait a few hours to see if that helps.
3. Have the Switches or Sensors Gone Bad?
Today’s digital thermostats are outfitted with temperature sensors and high-limit switches that constantly check the temperature of your water. If a sensor isn’t calibrated correctly and off by a few degrees, a temperature sensor can shut off the heater and will throw a sensor error code – Sn, Sn1, HL, Hot, OH – that will notify you of the issue. While the occasional tripping of a high-limit switch happens, frequent tripping issues can indicate a bigger issue like low flow, a bad high-limit switch, or a malfunctioning heater element.
4. What Kind of Hot Tub Cover Do You Have?
If your water is not hot enough, the fix could be as simple as getting a more efficient hot tub cover. If you went the route of purchasing an economical cover, you may not have gotten the quality and insulation of the higher-end one. The fact is, hot tub covers are made differently, and thicker dense options are better insulators.
It’s also important to note to check the shape of your cover. If the center is sagging, you notice rips or tears in the material, or you see steam seeping through the edges, you will notice a drop in the water temperature.
5. Is Your Filter Dirty?
A dirty filter can throw a code – FL, Flo, FL1 – that will keep the heater from turning on. You can check to see if the filter is the culprit by removing it and seeing if the flow improves. If this is the case, give the filter a good clean and reset the heating element. Be sure to clean your filter every 3 to 4 months and replace it every year or two to ensure good flow and filtration.
6. Low Water Level
A low water level can cause your skimmer to draw in air which will cause the heater to overheat and shut down. Be sure to always keep an eye on your water levels to ensure you’re not drawing air into the suction intakes. If the water level is low, fill up the tub to the appropriate level and reset your heating element.
Your Fort Walton Beach Hot Tub Experts
As you can see, there are a number of reasons why your hot tub may not be heating correctly. Run through the checklist and see if anything major stands out. If you’re unable to diagnose a simple fix, be sure to give the hot tub service experts at Patriot Pool & Spa a call today.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Veteran-owned and operated for over 18 years, Patriot Pool & Spa of Fort Walton Beach specializes in hot tubs and spas, swim spas, above ground pools, and inground pool repair and renovation. Patriot Pool & Spa carries hot tubs and swim spas from Jacuzzi, Sundance, Dream Maker, and Bahama Spas. They also sell hot tub parts and hot tub accessories, as well as hot tub chemicals.
As a State of Florida Certified Pool Contractor, Patriot Pool & Spa can take care of all your inground swimming pool remodels, pool renovations, and swimming pool repairs, as well as pool equipment upgrades. If you need vinyl liner replacement, pool tile repair, pool lighting, pool decking, pool coping, pool replastering, added water features, pool plumbing, and much more, then Patriot Pool & Spa of Fort Walton Beach is the best choice in Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, and surrounding areas.
Patriot Pool & Spa is also the local Ft. Walton Beach above ground pool expert. They sell above ground pool parts, above ground pool equipment, and specialize in above ground pool installation. Their experts can help you find the best above ground pool for you.
In addition, Patriot Pool & Spa has a full swimming pool and hot tub retail center, carrying swimming pool chemicals, swimming pool supplies, swimming pool equipment, hot tub chemicals, hot tub supplies, and hot tub accessories. Patriot Pool & Spa of Ft. Walton Beach offers an everyday 10% OFF military and first responder discount on in-store retail purchases.
