It can be tempting to leave your inflatable hot tub outside, but is this a good idea? Should you do it in winter? In this article, you’ll learn about the pros and cons of leaving an inflatable hot tub outdoors, as well as some tips on how to do it properly.
It can be tempting to leave your inflatable hot tub outside, but is this a good idea? Should you do it in winter? In this article, you’ll learn about the pros and cons of leaving an inflatable hot tub outdoors, as well as some tips on how to do it properly.
Can You Leave Inflatable Hot Tub Out in Winter?
The short answer is: no, you shouldn’t leave your inflatable hot tub out in the winter. Not only will doing so risk damage to the tub itself but the water inside it won’t be maintained at a stable temperature either, especially when average temperatures drop below 40 F. Unless you’ve got a way of protecting the area around it from snow and ice, don’t count on leaving it out all winter.
Another problem in the winter is the pump. Below 32 F it can freeze overnight. It’s best to bring that inside when not using it and drain all the recirculation lines.
Then when you choose to use it in the winter keep in mind that it will take 1 hour per degree F so if the starting water is at 40 F and you want to go up to 104 F it will take almost 3 days of constantly running.
How Do You Winterize an Inflatable Hot Tub?
Assuming you want to leave your inflatable hot tub outside, there are a few steps you should take to winterize it properly.
- Turn off the power to the hot tub.
- Drain all water from the tub, pump, and recirculation lines.
- Bring the pump housing inside.
- Store the inflated cover to the side of the tube (so the inside can dry out).
- Cover both the tub and the cover with a tarp (to protect it from sun damage).
- The tarp will also keep dirt and debris away while allowing for water vapor to escape underneath it – this helps minimize mold growth in any one area of your tub.
How Do You Run an Inflatable Hot Tub Outside All Winter In Mild Climates Like Texas?
If you live in a climate where the temperatures never drop below 32 F, then you can leave your inflatable hot tub outside. All the steps listed above will apply to this situation as well, but since the pump won’t freeze overnight, there’s no need to bring it inside.
Can You Keep an Inflatable Hot Tub Outside in the Summer?
If your inflatable hot tub has an additional tarp to protect it, then sure. Otherwise, the incessant beating of the sun will damage it over time – this is why you should always keep both the inflatable cover and tub under a tarp (rug, blanket, etc.) when not in use.
Tips for Leaving an Inflatable Hot Tub Outdoors
- Lay down an insulating foam pad or tarp underneath it, this will help keep the heat in the water.
- Put a cover on it to protect it from sun damage and debris as well.
- Try not to use hard chemicals (chlorine tablets, bromine tablets). It’s better for the environment and you spend less on maintenance.
- Change the water every 6 weeks (or up to 8 if used infrequently).
- Change the included paper filters weekly.
- Ideally get a permanent washable filter to replace the paper filters. This will save a lot of money in the long run.
- Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) adapter to automatically cutoff the power due to rain or water
- Store the pump controls in a small box to shelter it from the rain and sun
Should I Leave My Inflatable Hot Tub on All the Time?
It’s best to turn the power off when you aren’t going to use it for an extended period of time. This reduces the wear and tear on both the pump as well as the electrical components. It also extends the life of all your components.
You should never leave your inflatable hot tub turned on during a storm. The electrical components, when wet, could shock you when entering or exiting.
If you plan to use the tub a few times a week then, yes, it’s more cost-effective to leave it on all the time.
Safety Tips When Leaving Your Inflatable Hot Tub On When Using 3-5 Times Per Week
- Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) adapter to automatically cutoff the power due to rain or water.
- Cover with an extra tarp at night to help hold in the heat.
- If you can spare it add a blanket between the top of the cover and under the tarp. This will do an even better job of holding in the heat but the blanket will eventually get moldy.
- Hang the blanket up during the day. This will reduce the time it takes for it to get moldy.
- Leave the tarp on during the day when not in use. This will protect the tub from sun damage.
- Change the water every 4-6 weeks. You’ll need more frequent changes due to the extra use.
- Do use a chlorine or bromine based spa disinfectant to help keep the water clean per the directions.
- If you have a hard time remembering to turn off the pump then use an energy saving timer for your electric outlet. You can extend the time the pump is off during hotter times in the summer to help save electricity.
Do Inflatable Hot Tubs Use a Lot of Electricity When Outside and on All the Time?
Yes, they do use a lot of electricity. Expect to pay a minimum of $15 a month extra and up to $50 extra per month just in electricity fees. If you’re using it more than 3-5 times/week then you should consider using a blanket and two tarps at night to help keep the heat in.
You can also look at installing a tankless water heater that uses propane to heat the tub a few hours before use. This helps a ton in the winter and can help reduce electrical costs.
What Is the Most Economical Way to Run an Inflatable Hot Tub Outside?
The most economical way to run an inflatable hot tub is to leave it turned off when not in use.
Use a blanket covered by one or two tarps at night and an insulated ground cover underneath it to help hold in the heat.
How Often Should I Change the Water in My Inflatable Hot Tub If Left Outside?
It’s best to change the water every 4-6 weeks.
If you’re using it 3-5 times per month then you could extend that time period up to 8 weeks if you prefer.
Keep in mind that more frequent water changes could cause issues with the pump IF you have hard water.
Why would that happen? Every time you fill the tub with hard water some of that will calcify and start to deposit on the pump and heater components for the first few weeks. Doing that takes some of the minerals that cause hard water out of the water making it softer.
When you refill the tub with hard water you start that process over again.
You know you have hard water if you get soap scum in the tub and sink, water spots on your dishes, iron mineral stains in the toilet tub, and soap seems to wash off quickly.
If you have hard water consider using a water softener or getting a tub model built to reduce this problem.
What Is the Best Base for an Inflatable Hot Tub When Left Outside Fulltime?
The best base is concrete. It’s the most solid and will last forever.
If you don’t have a concrete patio then use a wood deck or strip some areas of your lawn to put in pavers or bricks.
Be careful with putting it on grass as this could ruin the lawn.
You should always use a tarp or insulated mat underneath your tub. This will both protect it from getting punctured and insulate it from the cold ground so the water stays warmer longer saving electricity.
Common mats that people use under their inflatable hot tubs include:
- Tarps
- Insulated pads for hot tubs
- Outdoor rugs
Can I Use My Inflatable Hot Tub in the Rain?
No, you should never use the tub in the rain.
If there is a small amount of water on your cover then that’s fine, but if it starts raining heavily you run the risk of electric shock unless both the tub and the electrical components, including the outlet are undercover.
This is less risky with a GCFI outlet or adaptor, which you should always use even without rain, but it still poses a danger.
What Temperature Should I Keep My Inflatable Hot Tub When Not in Use and Left Outside?
The best temp is 100 degrees. You’ll save money if you keep it at that temperature but be careful of water level drops due to evaporation when the weather is very warm or hot. A dry tub where the water falls below the recirculation lines will burn out your pump.
Remember that it takes 1 hour to raise the water temperature 1 degree F. So if you want it at 104 F it’ll take 4 hours to get there starting at 100.
The lower you keep it when not in use will save you money but you’ll need to remember to start it up in enough time so it’ll be the temperature you want when you plan to use it.
How Cold Is Too Cold for Outdoor Inflatable Hot Tub?
The lowest temperature you should use in your inflatable hot tub is 41 degrees F.
If the temp goes below that it can be very costly to keep the water warm enough plus you run the risk of damaging your pump and other components if it freezes overnight.
On cold nights you may also burn out your motor trying to maintain heat.
If you plan to use your tub in the winter you may want to consider adding a tankless water heater as shown in the youtube video above.
Does Rainwater Affect an Outdoor Inflatable Hot Tub?
Yes, it can. Rainwater can dilute the chemicals you added to your tub to keep it clean (even though the rain itself is fairly clean. Acid rain, if you’re in the city and have that, could damage the components. Splashing rain could kick up debris and carry it into the tub if not covered.