Hi! I've been looking at vacation homes with pools for a possible trip in Jan 2007. At the risk of sounding silly is there a difference between a spa and a hottub? My husband would love to have a hot hottub. I've seen many pictures of what appears to be a hottub attached right to the pool?
spa versus hottub??
- Thread starter IowaRn
- Start date
isla bonita
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2004
- Messages
- 2,753
You are not silly.
People use the words interchangeably. Not all get very hot.
I would ask how the water is heated. Gas fired ones get much hotter then electric heated.
People use the words interchangeably. Not all get very hot.
I would ask how the water is heated. Gas fired ones get much hotter then electric heated.
Isla Bonita and Jann have given you great info, and not a silly question at all
The first home we rented, we thought that spa=hot tub. And were a little disappointed to realize that the lovely little jetted tub, attached to the pool, was the same temp as the pool, and wouldn't get any warmer.
Lots of lovely massaging bubbles, temp of 80*.
If having a jetted/spa/hottub that heats to 104* degrees is important to you, then make sure you check with the owners of any homes you may rent from.
Some of the attached spas will have an additional heating unit on it...as in, shutting off the waterfall feature to the pool activates the additional heat for the spa.
Your homeowners will advise you if their spa has this feature.
The key is asking how hot the spa is able to get.
It is my understanding that gas pool heat can be warmer than electric pool heaters - just because electric pool heaters typically rely on the outside air temps for drawing heat to up the temperature...cool outside, the pool doesn't get quite as warm (but would be in the 75-80* range)
The electric heaters have a spinner fan on the top of the heating unit, and if temps outside drop below a certain point, the heaters have an auto shut off to conserve energy.
Hope that helps! We're form Canada, and understand the whole "swimming in Janaury! Gotta have it!" thing!!
Have fun!....and Welcome to the Dis!!!
The first home we rented, we thought that spa=hot tub. And were a little disappointed to realize that the lovely little jetted tub, attached to the pool, was the same temp as the pool, and wouldn't get any warmer.
Lots of lovely massaging bubbles, temp of 80*.
If having a jetted/spa/hottub that heats to 104* degrees is important to you, then make sure you check with the owners of any homes you may rent from.
Some of the attached spas will have an additional heating unit on it...as in, shutting off the waterfall feature to the pool activates the additional heat for the spa.
Your homeowners will advise you if their spa has this feature.
The key is asking how hot the spa is able to get.
It is my understanding that gas pool heat can be warmer than electric pool heaters - just because electric pool heaters typically rely on the outside air temps for drawing heat to up the temperature...cool outside, the pool doesn't get quite as warm (but would be in the 75-80* range)
The electric heaters have a spinner fan on the top of the heating unit, and if temps outside drop below a certain point, the heaters have an auto shut off to conserve energy.
Hope that helps! We're form Canada, and understand the whole "swimming in Janaury! Gotta have it!" thing!!
Have fun!....and Welcome to the Dis!!!
tednvon
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2000
- Messages
- 1,661
Hello from the Hawkeye state...
we are from Iowa City, so will be rooting for the Hawks tomorrow...If you are an Iowa State fan, then Disney will be our great equalizer!!
We owned a home in Kissimmee and sold last year. Your question is excellent. Almost all newer homes have standard heat pump, not gas heat. It can be a little iffy in January if really chilly at night. Most will have a switch that heats the spa at at end of the pool on a timer. If it is working well the spa will heat up in about 20 minutes to 90 to 95 and then shut off and send all the heat back into the pool to keep it at about 83 degrees give or take. When looking for homes I would suggest looking closely at adds that say "gas heat" It will be a little more expensive but you will be guaranteed a hot pool and spa.
Von and I stay 3 months in Indian Ridge. Excellent location to get to Disney. These homes are little older but all have gas heat for the pools. Not a lot have spas. Here is one that does and my be good start to look at.
Let any of us know if more questions...you will LOVE staying in a home.
http://www.vrbo.com/19736 this one says "hot tub" which may be separate
http://www.vrbo.com/26923 this one has the spa as part of the pool
Again, these homes are a little older and in an established neighborhood, but great location and they are very nicely furnished...
All the best...Go Hawks!!!
we are from Iowa City, so will be rooting for the Hawks tomorrow...If you are an Iowa State fan, then Disney will be our great equalizer!!
We owned a home in Kissimmee and sold last year. Your question is excellent. Almost all newer homes have standard heat pump, not gas heat. It can be a little iffy in January if really chilly at night. Most will have a switch that heats the spa at at end of the pool on a timer. If it is working well the spa will heat up in about 20 minutes to 90 to 95 and then shut off and send all the heat back into the pool to keep it at about 83 degrees give or take. When looking for homes I would suggest looking closely at adds that say "gas heat" It will be a little more expensive but you will be guaranteed a hot pool and spa.
Von and I stay 3 months in Indian Ridge. Excellent location to get to Disney. These homes are little older but all have gas heat for the pools. Not a lot have spas. Here is one that does and my be good start to look at.
Let any of us know if more questions...you will LOVE staying in a home.
http://www.vrbo.com/19736 this one says "hot tub" which may be separate
http://www.vrbo.com/26923 this one has the spa as part of the pool
Again, these homes are a little older and in an established neighborhood, but great location and they are very nicely furnished...
All the best...Go Hawks!!!
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