Hot Tubs Then and Now

Hot Tubs, Then and Now, Part 1.

I purchased my first hot tub way back in 1986. Compared to today, this was the horse & buggy era for hot tubs. The big ‘innovation’ then was the option of a granite shell finish instead of marble swirl patterns. Really though, that was just the beginning in what was to come.

Many of you out there had a hot tub then, too. No doubt, some in this group swore they’d never have another. They had their…issues. Inconvenient controls, annoying maintenance, low flow, and high heating costs, especially in the winter, were all problematic. Some owners gave up, but true aficionados hung in there. Technological advancements happened and lots of people ‘traded up’, enjoying new, improved versions. In this four-part series, I’ll touch on key innovations that have made hot tubs much more user-friendly and enjoyable to use.

Electronics and temperature control.

Adjusting the water temperature on my first hot tub was an…adventure. There was a small dial-like knob on one end. Turn it clockwise and you’d raise the set temperature. Counter-clockwise got you a lower temperature. How accurate was it? Well, it depended on the quality of the floating thermometer you had because there was no digital temperature readout. I liked the water at 103°. Turn the knob too far and it might be at 107° the next day. Still, I’d play around with the knob and eventually get it where I wanted it, but it was quite inconvenient. And to compound the inconvenience, the dial was located inside the cabinet. I spend a LOT of time fiddling around inside that cabinet.

Let’s have some action!

Unlike the temperature control knob, I activated jet action via a much more convenient button located on the shell’s coping rail. On the modernness scale, it was akin to how cars used to be started by hand-cranking the engine. Or the driver switching headlights from high to low beam by pressing a little floor button with their left foot. If you remember doing that, chances are you are my age or older. We’ll keep those ages a secret. My unit’s jet activation was accomplished via an air switch button. It was installed flush in the coping rail. Underneath inside the cabinet a small flexible hose was connected, leading to the power back. When I depressed the topside button, forced air would turn on the pump and activate the jets. Push it again and it would turn it off. It worked well, except when the hose would disconnect. And so, it was back inside the cabinet again to reconnect the air hose that had popped off. Of course, while I was there, I usually bumped the temperature knob and presto: 107° again the next day!

Creativity is thinking up new things...

…Innovation is doing new things. American economist Theodore Levitt.

The spa and hot tub industry has been no stranger to innovation in electronics and ease of ownership. Today, virtually all hot tubs are equipped with solid-state computerized touch-pad topside control with digital water temperature readout. Phew. That’s a lot of words! But applicable. Change temperature settings with a gentle press on the appropriate pad. Touch a different location to activate jets. The ‘guts’ of the system are silicone sealed. This secures the electronics, locking out heat or water that can do damage. But on quality Mira and Sundance Spas, this advanced technology does even more. Adjust filter cycles to help guarantee clean, filtered water. Or switch to an economy or vacation mode that helps keep water temperature cooler and puts a couple bucks back in your pocket. Then again, maybe you just want a neat little lightshow. Many hot tubs now feature lighting control that has more color settings than my first spa had jets.

Cruising the Caribbean or trekking the mountain passes of Mongolia and wondering if your hot tub is working properly? Here’s the coolest technological innovation yet. Just pull it up on your phone. You need the right unit, the right control system, and a smart phone with the manufacturer’s app. Also, a wifi connection. You can also raise or lower water temperature or change filter cycles. Most remote systems even allow you to lock controls, effectively making the unit unusable to your uninvited neighbor.

Indeed, much has changed since I got old #1. Next time, I’ll examine changes to cabinetry.