FAQs About Hot Tubs Answered By Backyard Living Center - Part 2
Should I have one or two jet pumps?
The answer is based on the number and size of the jets in the spa. Each jet is designed to work with a maximum water flow and H2O engineers calculate the total water flow required for all the jets in the spa and size the jet pump accordingly by using the most efficient combination of pumps.
Is one pump enough to give me the therapy I want?
One pump can be enough to give you the therapeutic experience you want. Remember not all hot tubs are created equal; many manufacturers have very different interpretations of horsepower, numbers of jets, etc. All of these factors will impact or have some relationship to what experience you will achieve in your spa.
Does a motor marketed as 7HP really produce 7 times the water flow of a 1HP pump?
No. Horsepower ratings on motors are not proportional with water flow and are sometimes misleading as they are not the true working horsepower but the motors’ breakdown horse power that if achieved, would cause the motor to fail. The horsepower rating of a motor refers more to the energy consumption required to operate the motor. At H2O spas we strive to provide the optimum water flow using the least horsepower because we know this to be the most energy efficient and environmentally responsible solution.
How is the Spa water cleaned?
The spa water is sanitized using either Chlorine or Bromine but the clarity of the water relies on the water passing through the built-in filtration system. Depending on the manufacturer this can be achieved in two ways:
- Timed Filtration – A system can be designed so that the large jet pump is programmed to run on its low-speed setting for a predetermined length of time, pulling water into the filter and removing particles. The limitations to a system such as this are that the jet pump has to run for a minimum period of 4 hours, twice a day, which can be noisy and not very energy efficient. Also, because the jet pump is filtering and pushing the water through the heater there are a number of restrictions to the water flow that slow the flow of water to the jets when high speed is engaged. This method is used mainly to save money because if you don’t have to install a circulation pump, you save money. But remember a spa without a circulation pump is a lesser product.
- Continuous 24/7 Filtration – H2O spas recommend using a dedicated small circulation pump to perform water filtration. This small pump uses very little energy, is quiet, and ensures your spa water is always crystal clear. A bonus of this system is that the now dedicated 2-speed jet pump is available to be plumbed directly to the jets to give the maximum flow of water.
Does a larger filter result in a cleaner spa?
A filter’s ability to clean a spa is dependent on the density of the filter material and the amount of water flowing through the filter. To optimize these parameters, filters are made from a 20-micron weave to trap the majority of particles without being too dense to restrict water flow. An H2O spa with the 24/7 circ master pump passes 30 GPM constantly through the filter to give optimum cleaning performance.
The overall surface area of a filter is how the filter is measured i.e. 25 sq ft. means that if all the pleats of the filter were flattened out the total material used to make the filter would cover an area of 25sq.ft. Having a larger filter means that there is more surface area to hold particles between filter cleanings.