Is Your Hot Tub Not Hot Enough? This May be the Culprit.

When you sink into your hot tub after a long day, you’re expecting to be immediately enveloped by warm water. But what happens when it’s just lukewarm or even cool? If your hot tub isn’t heating properly, there could be a number of factors affecting its ability to give you the warm water soak you were looking forward to. Read on to learn more about the different causes of your hot tub not heating up and how to go about fixing the issue. 

1. Check the Heater

Your hot tub heater is made up of many different parts. From connection wires and filaments to voltage and power continuity, a lot can happen within your heating element. If you notice your hot tub water not getting hot enough, it’s worth a look into checking the heater. Give the wires and connections a once over, ensuring they are plugged in and fully connected. Also check to make sure they are frayed, split or filaments cracked as that can also affect their functionality. 

When in doubt regarding your heater, give the hot tub service professionals a call. They will easily be able to check the voltage and power continuity to confirm if the heater is working or not. 

2. Is Your Thermostat Calibrated Correctly?

If your hot tub isn’t heating up correctly, but your thermostat says it is fine, you may need to make some adjustments. Old spa heaters and old hot tubs are outfitted with mechanical thermostats that have a copper wire and capillary bulb to read the temperature. If you suspect the calibration is off, turn the hex head adjustment screw at the end of the switch ¼ clockwise and wait a few hours to see if that helps. 

3. Have the Switches or Sensors Gone Bad?

Today’s digital thermostats are outfitted with temperature sensors and high-limit switches that constantly check the temperature of your water. If a sensor isn’t calibrated correctly and off by a few degrees, a temperature sensor can shut off the heater and will throw a sensor error code – Sn, Sn1, HL, Hot, OH – that will notify you of the issue. While the occasional tripping of a high-limit switch happens, frequent tripping issues can indicate a bigger issue like low flow, a bad high-limit switch, or a malfunctioning heater element. 

4. What Kind of Hot Tub Cover Do You Have?
If your water is not hot enough, the fix could be as simple as getting a more efficient hot tub cover. If you went the route of purchasing an economical cover, you may not have gotten the quality and insulation of the higher-end one. The fact is, hot tub covers are made differently, and thicker dense options are better insulators. 

It’s also important to note to check the shape of your cover. If the center is sagging, you notice rips or tears in the material, or you see steam seeping through the edges, you will notice a drop in the water temperature. 

5. Is Your Filter Dirty?
A dirty filter can throw a code – FL, Flo, FL1 – that will keep the heater from turning on. You can check to see if the filter is the culprit by removing it and seeing if the flow improves. If this is the case, give the filter a good clean and reset the heating element. 

When it comes to keeping your filter clean, we recommend the following: spray your filter down with a hose every month and deep clean your filter by soaking it in a filter cleaner every 3 to 4 months. You may want to purchase an additional filter and alternate each time you drain your hot tub. 

6. Low Water Level
A low water level can cause your skimmer to draw in air which will cause the heater to overheat and shut down. Be sure to always keep an eye on your water levels to ensure you’re not drawing air into the suction intakes. If the water level is low, fill up the tub to the appropriate level and reset your heating element. 

Your Houston Hot Tub Experts
As you can see, there are a number of reasons why your hot tub may not be heating correctly. Run through the checklist and see if anything major stands out. If you’re unable to diagnose a simple fix, be sure to give the hot tub service experts at Spas Unlimited a call today.

About Us

Spas Unlimited has been providing Houston, Katy, Conroe and the surrounding areas with all of their hot tub needs since 1988. As a leading hot tub store in the area, Spas Unlimited carries hot tubs from a variety of manufacturers, including Caldera, Dynasty, Cal Spas, and many more, and has more than 30 hot tubs on display in their Houston showroom so homeowners can visualize and find the best hot tub or swim spa model that fits their needs and their space. The hot tub and swim spa experts at Spas Unlimited have the experience and knowledge to provide reliable hot tub service & repair, including hot tub move & removal, equipment repair, and drain & clean. In addition to the best hot tubs and swim spas, Spas Unlimited also carries a variety of hot tub water care products, hot tub covers, and outdoor furniture at their Houston hot tub store. 

For more information about Spas Unlimited, like them on Facebook, follow them on Instagram or subscribe to their YouTube channel. Be sure to read their blog for helpful tips about hot tub and swim spa ownership. Contact Spas Unlimited today for all of your hot tub and swim spa needs.