Hot tub heater

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A hot tub heater, or spa heater is an electric or gas-fired water heater that provides the all important hot water used for soaking, and relaxing in a hot tub, Jacuzzi, or as it is often known, a portable spa. The spa heater warms water anywhere from just above freezing to the desired temperature, usually about 100 to 104 degrees F (about 38 to 40 degrees C. Portable spas and hot tubs are generally kept hot and ready for use at all times, whereas in-ground, or above-ground spas are often left cold, and heated just prior to use.

A gas heater is most often used for heating the in-ground or above ground spa due to their ability to heat the water quickly from cold, to hot enough to enjoy. The gas heater gets it's energy from either propane or nautral gas, similar to a household hot water heater. They require ventilation, like any fossil fuel device, and water must be fed to the gas heater from a pump (usually electric) and filter, through the plumbing system. Unlike a home hot water heater, the gas-fired spa heater has no reservoir to hold water, it is a flow through system which heats the water as it passes through a manifold heated by the flame. In the U.S. and Canada, gas heaters for spas and hot tubs are supplied by Pentair Pool Products [1]and Raypak [2]

An electric spa heater is usually used on tubs that are maintained at warm temperatures and ready to use at all times. The electric heaters are less complicated than gas heaters, have no emissions to the environment, do not require anything other than a source of electric, either 120 or 240 volts household current, and are compact enough to be enclosed under a self-contained hot tub or spa. Electric hot tub heaters are most always constructed of stainless steel and other non-corroding materials, and are much lower cost than gas heaters. These spa heaters heat the water as it passes through the pump, filter and heater, and have no reservoir. Electric hot tub heaters are much smaller than gas units, and require more time to heat the water, and are not generally used on concrete or in-ground spas. Electric heaters for spas and hot tubs are supplied by Raypak [3] and Spa Components [4]

Spa heaters are also used on soaker tubs, larger whirlpool bathtubs, and Japanese style Ofuro tubs.

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