hot tubs for cold climates

While hot tubs offer a unique escape from cold weather, environments that are freezing cold can end up doing damage to your hot tub. Likewise, constant snow, wind, or rain can be a significant detriment if you don’t have a durable spa.

If you’re thinking of getting a hot tub, but you’re worried about it holding up in cold weather, then come with us as we explore some of the best hot tubs on the market for cold weather.

The 3 Best Rated Hot Tubs For Cold Climates

Bullfrog Spas

Bullfrog Spas is one of the best hot tub manufacturers on the market today.

The one reason we love these spas so much for cold weather is that they are extremely energy-efficient.

There’s no doubt that hot tubs have to work a bit harder to stay warm when the weather is cold, requiring more energy.

More energy for your hot tub means more money for your electricity bill.

Beyond that, Bullfrog Spas hot tubs use high-end insulation.

Every Bullfrog Spas model comes equipped with full-foam insulation, the best insulation type for an energy-efficient hot tub.

You’ll also find 90% less plumbing in Bullfrog Spas hot tubs compared to traditional hot tubs. The water delivery system sits within the proprietary H2Air System, meaning it is permanently submerged in hot water, unexposed to the cold.

Lastly, each Bullfrog Spas model has a solid and durable hot tub cover. These covers are made to handle the weight of snow, even after a snowstorm. Windy day? No problem! These hot tub covers also fit tight enough to stay secure no matter how crazy the weather gets. Overall, if you’re looking for energy efficiency and durability, look no further than a Bullfrog Spa.

There’s no question that Canadians are used to the cold. The Canadian Spa Company was made especially for cold climates!

While many of these spas come with high-end features, they’re surprisingly affordable, making them an excellent option for those new to the world of spas.

All components are genuinely North American, so you know you’re getting access to durability and longevity.

Each model comes with high-end Blackout insulation, which is high-density closed-cell foam to keep things warm and cozy at all times.

Beyond that, you’ll find infrared-reflective material and foam curtains for added energy efficiency. Of course, these spas are not purely functional. 

There are many luxury features that owners can enjoy as well, including cascading waterfalls, LED mood lighting, MP3 audio systems, no-float loungers, and adjustable directional jets.

All in all, this is one of the best outdoor hot tub companies for cold weather.

Arctic Spas

Arctic Spas is another hot tub manufacturer from Canada, offering some of the best hot tubs specifically made for cold weather.

So no matter your weather patterns, you can enjoy year-round soaking.

Climate compatibility is one of those things that many spa manufacturers overlook because they can.

Because Arctic Spas operate in the coldest regions around, climate compatibility is a priority.

Some of the top durability features found on your average Arctic Spas hot tub include the Perimeter Heater Lock, the Western Red Cedar Cabinets, the Forever Floor, and the Mylocvac hot tub cover.

Arctic Spas may not have all of the luxury bells and whistles that you’ll find on many high-end hot tubs. However, if you’re looking for a rugged hot tub for cold weather that can withstand some of the harshest conditions possible, then look no further.

What To Look For When Selecting A Spa You Will Use In A Cold Climate

Insulation

One of the most important things to look for when finding the right hot tub for cold weather is a hot tub with quality insulation. You want to think of your hot tub as your home. A home without good insulation is not the most comfortable home.

You’ll often find hot tub models with a full foam insulation system or a perimeter insulation system.

If you look at the overwhelming majority of hot tub studies out there, you’ll see that hot tubs with full-foam insulation are almost four times as energy efficient. But, of course, there is no substitute for having these kinds of energy-saving features in cold climates.

To improve the insulation that your current hot tub already has, see our guide on How To Insulate A Hot Tub.

Plumbing

Most hot tubs come with more than a hundred feet of plumbing and tubing on the inside, which moves the water into the jets while heating it. Many cold climate spa manufacturers use less plumbing, making their hot tub models far more energy-efficient. These hot tubs don’t have to use as much energy to increase the water temperature, meaning you can heat the water up in less time while expelling less energy.

So, when looking for the best outdoor hot tub, you want to ask about the plumbing beyond the insulation system.

Spa Cover

Spa covers come in all shapes and sizes. Many outdoor hot tub models come with spa covers, meaning you won’t have to go looking for one that fits perfectly. However, whether yours comes with one or not, it’s important to look for a cover that is durable enough to hold its own when the weather gets tough. Heavy snowfall and heavy rain or wind can be a detriment to weak covers.

As we said before, not all hot tubs come with covers. We recommend going through the manufacturer if you’re looking to get the best-fitting cover for your hot tub model. A well-insulated cover that fits nicely can also keep the water from evaporating out of your hot tub, which is pretty prominent on dry winter days. We recommend checking out The Cover Guy Reviews. Also, If you do not want to invest in a new cover, but instead fix your current waterlogged hot tub cover, we offer instructions on how to do just that. 

Construction

When looking for hot tubs built for cold air and weather, you want to take a look under the hood at the spa construction. ABS frames offer some of the most durability for year-round enjoyment. On the other hand, frames made of metal or wood are prone to rust or rot when exposed to snow and rain.

Many elements come with colder regions, and your hot tub must be prepared for those days. Having quality materials all-around can save you from making repairs in the future.

Using Your Hot Tub Properly During the Winter

If you want to have a relaxing winter with your hot tub, there are a few things that you need to remember when it comes to winter hot tub use.

Draining and Refilling

No matter what time of year it is, hot tub maintenance is essential for owning a hot tub. If you want to make sure your water is well-balanced, you need to drain and refill your spa water every three months.

The important thing here is that you don’t do this on a day where the outside temperature is below freezing. Remember, your spa takes a while to get the water temperature to a soaking temperature. So if you refill with freezing cold water, then trying to get the party started will take much longer.

Energy Use

The beauty of buying an efficient hot tub or swim spa is that you can use it during the winter to relax and relieve stress without having to worry about wasting tons of energy.

However, what’s important to remember is that you must keep the cover on at ALL times when your hot tub is not in use.

A cover made for energy efficiency will keep your water temperatures up, so you don’t have to wait hours for your spa to heat up every time you want to use it.

Final Thoughts – Better Insulation for Total Relaxation

As you can see, there are many important features to look for when trying to find a spa that can hold up in cold climates. You want to make sure you have heavy-duty construction, energy-efficient materials, and plumbing that can transfer water without using tons of power.

Stick with one of the recommended hot tub models above, and we guarantee you’ll find the perfect hot tub for cold weather.

To view specific pricing from dealers in your area, answer the quick questions below! Your preferences help match you with the hot tub brands that have exactly what you’re looking for and you get to pick from the lowest quotes.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *