Hot tub: Encyclopedia II - Hot tub - Spas

Hot tub - Spas

This style of tub is very different from the wooden soaking tub. These are usually less deep and manufactured from fiberglass-reinforced plastic formed into shapes that provide a variety of seating arrangements within the tub. Each seat is usually equipped with hydrotherapy jets that allow a forceful flow of water to be directed at various parts of the body. The water flow may be aerated for additional effect and some or all of the jets may also automatically move or rotate, causing the changing pressure of the water on the body to provide a massage-like effect.

These tubs may be free-standing or recessed within a surrounding deck. If free-standing, they are usually entered by climbing a short staircase of one or two steps and then stepping over the side of the tub onto one of the seating areas. A common misconception with hot tubs is that they need external plumbing when in fact most modern units are self contained and consequently only need filling with water.

Although Jacuzzi is probably the best known brand name of spas the company now concentrates on making bathroom fixtures and the spas sold under the Jaccuzzi brand are actually made by Sundance. Spas are manufactured by a wide range of mostly-boutique (small production) vendors.

Effective insulation greatly improves the energy efficiency of a spa. There are several different styles of spa insulation: some manufacturers fill the entire cabinet with foam, while others insulate the underside of the shell, the inside of the cabinet, or both. Not surprisingly, many manufacturers advertise the superiority of their approach to insulation, but few independent side-by-side comparisons are available.

Spas usually have several independent water circuits with one providing heating and filtration and the others driving the hydrotherapy jets. Sophisticated computer controls are now common and many tubs now are equipped with extensive lighting, sound systems, and even flat-screen televisions with integral DVD players.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Spas", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki