Keeping the pool looking good in winter

When you buy your first hot tub, it's only natural to want to get as many jets as possible; in fact, many first-time buyers assume that the better the hot tub, the more jets it will have. While it is certainly true that you'll tend to find that pricier tubs have more jets, the actual number of jets in the model you end up buying will end up mattering a lot less than you probably suppose.

Here are just three things to consider instead of concentrating solely on the number of jets.

1. Jet Position

The point of your hot tubs jets isn't to make the water bubbly. Those jets are supposed to hit your body properly in order to provide hydrotherapy. For hydrotherapy to be effective, you want to have jets placed strategically to ensure that multiple parts of your body are hit at once. It's no good having 5 jets against your back if there are no jets against your legs. Check that the jets are properly dispersed for this purpose before you buy.

2. Pump Power

One of the major problems that people deal with after investing in a hot tub that has a lot of jets is an insufficient amount of pressure. Remember, your hot tub requires a pump in order to provide each jet with adequate power and pressure for a nice, deep massage. If you only think about the number of jets, you may end up with a hot tub that doesn't boast a powerful enough pump to keep them all running at a decent pressure.

Make sure you take a look at the power of each hot tub's pump compared to the number of jets that it possesses. As you do, remember that a high-powered pump will come with increased energy costs.

3. Jet Diversity

There are many different kinds of jets, and your hot tub should ideally offer a range of them. Larger but less powerful jets should be positioned for larger muscle groups, such as those in the back, while smaller but more powerful jets should be positioned to hit areas such as the calves and to relieve muscle tension. A larger number of jets will not make up for a lack of variety.

You can also look for adjustable jets. These can be moved at will to change the way your hot tub feels. If you need to relax, the pressure can be lowered, and if you require a deep massage after a hard workout, you can turn the pressure up high.

After buying a hot tub, make sure to have a technician come for hot tub services to keep your personal spa working great.