Don’t you wish you had a hot tub right about now? It would be great to get home from a long day at work, grab a bite to eat, and then slip out back to enjoy your hot tub. The relaxing heat, the powerful jets, the luxurious space, and…wait, are we describing a hot tub or a spa? As it turns out, the terms are used almost interchangeably, and it can be confusing when trying to decide which you have (or want for your home). So, are a hot tub and spa the same thing, or are they, in fact, different? Let’s look at each before answering that question.
Technically, what is a hot tub?
A hot tub is a heated tub of water that sits outside of your home. It’s smaller than a spa and can be portable or semi-permanent. Indeed, you’ll often find portable blow-up hot tubs at your local retail stores. They require less power, and can sometimes function using your standard outside outlet.
So then technically, what is a spa?
A spa must include more high-end features to officially be called such. Those include more powerful jets, larger seating options, and are considered to be a permanent fixture. In other words, once you’ve installed your spa, it stays there — much like a pool. And also like a pool, a spa can include both in-ground and above-ground options. A spa requires more power than a hot tub due to its heating capabilities and jets.
So are a hot tub and a spa the same thing?
Technically speaking, no they’re not! It’s as simple as that. A spa is a more luxurious version of a hot tub, has a permanent installation, and has more features.
Why are the terms used interchangeably?
It’s a fair question to ask. After all, both are essentially tubs of water that sit outside of your home where you can soak and relax.
The interchange of terminology is simply a byproduct of human conversation. It’s like how everyone refers to tissue as a Kleenex or all tablet computers as iPads. Both are their own thing, yet get lumped together with their similar brethren.
Which should I buy: a hot tub or a spa?
Ah, here comes the tough question! Ultimately, which you choose to buy between a hot tub and a spa will depend on a few things, such as your:
• Budget
• Goals
• Space
And most importantly, your power situation. A basic hot tub may be able to run off of your standard outlet, though that’s far from the safest option. A better solution might be to dedicate space for it; then again, if you’re tearing it down each winter, perhaps
not. Of course, a spa will require the professional assistance of a residential electrician, especially if you also are planning for (or already have) a pool on your property as well.
Let us know if you’d like to learn more about how we can help with either type of setup and installation. Contact us or give us a call at (614) 660-5879.
