So you’re in the market for a spa. That’s excellent news! Year on year, thousands of Aussie homemakers have been choosing to add a little touch of tranquillity to their spaces.
Naturally, you’re wanting to get in on that action too! But before you pull the trigger on your new aquatic oasis, there are a few things you should know about. We’re taking a look at some of the important considerations to make, as well as some of the benefits that spa ownership can provide.
What Size Spa Should I Buy?
One of the very first questions you'll want to know the answer to is 'what size spa should I buy?'. There are a host of things to consider when trying to answer that question. It really depends on how much space you have, how many people you want to be able to accommodate, and what your budget is.
The space you have to accommodate the spa is likely going to be the deciding factor behind what spa you go for but for those who have a little more flexibility, it's worth considering all the options available to you. To start with, there are 2-person spas available such as the 1.9m x 1.35m Airlie Luxury Spa. Moving to larger models, we have the 4-person Coral Classic Spa which measures 1.8m x 1.8m. Then we have one of our largest models in the 5-person Noosa Luxury Spa which comes in with a measurement of 2.3m x 2.3m. This should hopefully give some indication of what to expect in terms of size vs seating capacity.
Next, consider how many people you'll be wanting to use the spa at any one time. If it's just for yourself and maybe one other person then a smaller spa is likely going to satisfy your needs but if you're looking at hosting regular parties or get-togethers then you might need something a little bigger.
Then there's the budget. Though not a concrete rule, as you move up in terms of spa size and capacity, the budgetary requirements tend to increase with it. This applies to the retail price of the spa but also to the cost of filling it, powering it and, to a lesser extent, also maintaining it.
The size of the spa you buy should also be based on how often you plan on using it. If you're only going to use it occasionally, then a smaller spa might be all you need. But, if you plan on using it more often, then a larger spa might be a better investment.
There are a few other things to keep in mind when trying to determine what size spa to buy. You'll want to make sure that the spa you select will fit through any doorways or gates leading into your backyard!
How Much Does It Cost To Maintain A Spa?
If you’ve mentioned to friends and family that you’re looking to add a spa to your home, you might have heard something along the lines of "Oh but have you thought about the costs of maintenance?". Personally, I'd say they haven't spent enough time in a spa. But it is an important question to ask during the process of choosing the right spa for you.
Spas, like any backyard pool, come with a certain amount of maintenance and operating costs. These include initial set-up and regular ongoing maintenance. But these don't have to be expensive, and will depend largely on the amount of use your spa gets. Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect.
Initial Set-Up Costs For Your New Spa
The size of the number you're looking at after the spa installation process is complete will depend on a few factors. The main one is actually going to be based on the power requirements for your spa. At Aqua Pulse we have a couple of different options for this.
The majority of our spas require only what a standard 10amp power socket can provide. For these spas, you only need to be within range of a powerpoint to run the spa. You may choose to have a separate power point installed so that the spa can run on its own circuit as the spa will draw the majority of the power supply of a standard socket.
Then there are spas that require more power, up to 32amps. For these spas, you will need to have them hard wired by an electrician in order to get an adequate amount of power in a safe manner.
Ongoing Maintenance Costs For Your New Spa
Buying a spa doesn't mean adding a load of external maintenance to your busy life. That said, there are some regular maintenance tasks you'll need to perform to keep your spa in top condition. These include:
● Checking and topping up water levels as needed
● Cleaning the spa filter regularly (weekly)
● Keeping an eye on chemical levels and adjusting as needed
What Is Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is the use of water to relieve pain and promote physical rehabilitation. It's one of the key benefits of getting a spa, and if you're looking into buying one, you may have already looked up some of its benefits. Many have suggested that it can reduce stress and anxiety as well as aid in muscle recovery.
Acrylic Crazing
Crazing is commonly seen on spas and is typically seen at the spa rim. It is caused by the high stresses the acrylic is under and the requirement to sanitize the spas water with chemicals. Crazing appears as cracks that look like a spider web on the acrylic surface.
Crazing is excluded from the warranty as this is likely to occur.