Can I use a hot tub in the summer?
Yes, you can use a hot tub in the summer by lowering the temperature between 95°F and 85°F and reducing the rate of filtration to less than 2 hours a day. Using the hot tub during the evening when the sun’s heat is not as intense is the best time to use a hot tub during the summer. Setting the hot tub to economy or sleep mode will also help the hot tub stay cooler.
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I recommend the ULTCOVER Waterproof square cover to protect your hot tub from rainwater when you’re not using it.
Last year during the summer months, I was asked if it’s possible to use a hot tub in the summer. The simple answer is yes, as long as you lower the water temperature.
I decided to put a list together explaining all the great ways you can use a hot tub in the summer without getting too warm.
But how does soaking in the hot tub feel amid the high summer temperatures? Well, there’s much more information you need to know in preparation for summer soaking. This is why I have prepared this article comprehensively to understand why and how you can use a hot tub in summer.
Check out our article on using a hot tub in the winter for some more great information about how to use your spa all year round!
Let’s get started!
Can You Use a Hot Tub in the Summer?
During the winter, it was fun to escape the freezing temperatures by spending some time in the hot tub. But how about in the summer?
Well, the summer heat does not mean that it’s time to shut your hot tub. Not at all. You can use a hot tub in the summer. Summer might be the best season for using your hot tub. The key is to turn down the water temperature.
Minimum Temperature for a Hot Tub in Summer
The minimum temperature for a hot tub in summer should be between 95°F and 85°F. Lowering the temperature below this point could affect the spa water chemistry reducing sanitization and pH levels. Filteration should be set to twice per day, between 1 and 2 hours.
Summertimes have diverse meanings for people in different regions. The summer seasons for the people living in the woods are different from those living in the Los Angeles areas. Climates across areas differ, affecting how I could use a hot tub.
However, in most cases, I recommend setting your hot tub to the minimum temperatures in summer. This is especially necessary because of the high temperatures in middays that make it impractical and unrealistic to soak in higher hot tub temperatures.
The maximum temperature you can set for your hot tubs is 104 degrees Fahrenheit. But lowering your temperatures to 98 degrees does not harm you. It saves energy and enables you to soak for extended periods. However, there are places where the water temperatures could still exceed 100 degrees after setting the hot tub to 98 degrees. Such high temperatures will prevent you from soaking for long, even in summer.
So, to ensure maximum comfort in the hot tub during the summer months, I usually recommend setting your hot tubs at 95 degrees. These temperatures are cooler than the average temperatures of your body.
Soaking in these temperatures will be refreshing to your body. But suppose you want to get a more refreshing soaking experience in summer. In that case, you can lower your hot tub temperature to as low as 85 degrees to transform the hot tub for a much more refreshing experience.
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Learn MoreHow to Cool Down a Hot Tub in Summer
The four steps to cool down a hot tub in summer:
- Lower the temperature of the spa water to between 95°F and 85°F
- Filteration should be set to twice per day, between 1 and 2 hours
- Use the hot tub at night and keep the cover on during the afternoon
- Add cold water from the hose or tap once every couple of days
- If the hot tub has multiple jet pumps, only use 1 or 2 of them at any given time.
There are cases when the temperature imbalance in your hot tub can make soaking in summer uncomfortable. But this should not be a reason to avoid using the hot tub in summer. I understand that the rays of the sun falling on the surface of your hot tub all day long will affect the temperatures in your hot tub. Therefore, soaking during the hot afternoon can be uncomfortable.
I recommend setting the temperatures below 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This method will work if you live in a super-hot location. But remember that it will take some time to cool down the water temperatures of your hot tub during the summer months if it’s sitting in direct sunlight.
Using the economy or sleep mode on your hot tub could work perfectly in lowering your hot tub temperatures in summer. Many hot tubs have one or both of these options. Although the two features aim to save energy, they work perfectly in lowering the temperatures of your hot tub in summer. For example, I have seen that setting your hot tub in the economy or sleep mode can help keep the water temperatures to as low as 97 degrees Fahrenheit.
How Hot is Too Hot for a Hot Tub?
Do not use the hot tub if it’s above 104°F and the air temperature is over 110°F. If temperatures outside exceed 110°F, then using the hot tub could be problematic if the spa water is also above 100°F. It could cause heat-related illness. By reducing the spa water temperature below the air and body temperature, the spa should feel cool and relaxing.
How do I Protect My Hot Tub in the Summer?
To protect your hot tub from the sun, buy a small enclosure such as a gazebo or an umbrella, and protect the spa with a good quality cover. Protecting the hot tub from the sun will ensure spa water doesn’t evaporate and cause UV damage to the hot tub.
For some great ideas to protect your hot tub and make it more private, check out our full article on hot tub privacy.
I recommend the ULTCOVER Waterproof square cover to protect your hot tub from rainwater when you’re not using it.
I recommend the Black Diamon Stoneworks hot tub UV cover treatment.
If you’re looking for a simple yet sturdy gazebo to help enclose your hot tub, check out this Sun Shelter from Sojag.
How to Maintain Hot Tub in Summer
Here are some tips for maintaining a hot tub in the summer.
Maintenance of The Water Temperatures
The recommended temperatures of the hot tub water are between 85 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The hot outside temperatures affect the cooling of the hot tub water in summer. However, maintaining the hot tub temperatures at this range will make your hot tub ready for use at any time.
Maintain and Clean the Filters
Maintaining the cleanliness of the filters should be done even in the summer. This should be carried out as a routine practice all year round. You should create and follow a regular schedule for cleaning and maintaining the water and filters.
Check out our in-depth article on how to clean your hot tub filters for more information.
For proper cleaning of a hot tub filter, I recommend the Lalapool Spa Filter Cleaner to get the job done right.
I also recommend Leisure Time O Filter Cleaner to soak your hot tub filters for the best results.
Maintain Proper Water Levels
You should ensure you maintain the recommended water levels in the hot tub in summer. Allowing the water to get too low levels can cause problems for water circulation and filtration. Consequently, this can lead to permanent damage to the entire system. Keep checking and adding more water as recommended, even when you’re not planning to use the hot tub.
Good Overall Maintenance
Monitoring the health of your hot tub can often be challenging if you are not testing the water on a regular basis. This can also be a problem if you go on holiday or you are unable to take care of your hot tub due to mobility issues.
The pHin Smart Water Care Monitor for pools, hot tubs, and inflatable spas continuously tests the water and alerts you when to add chemicals with the integrated mobile app.
The mobile app will inform you when to add chemicals such as chlorine, and how much chemical is recommended. This is done by entering your hot tub or pool’s unique dimensions.
Simply scan the bar code of any chemical brand and the pHin app will calculate how much chemical is to be added to the water. Most products and brands are recognized by the application.
The pHin device will sample water more than 1000 times per week to give you an accurate reading compared to using test strips.
The pHin device works with different water types including chlorine, bromine, and saltwater hot tubs, swim spas, inflatable hot tubs, and pools.
This unique device comes with a lifetime warranty to ensure your water remains clear and ready for you to use at all times.
Check out our article on how to fix cloudy hot tub water for more information on spa water maintenance.
Hot Tub With Summer Mode
Not all hot tubs are designed with a summer mode option, but it is becoming a standard feature for most modern hot tubs. The Spring Dance Hot Tubs are the pioneers of this technology. The summer mode on a hot tub is the feature that allows you to run a hot tub like a pool in the summer.
When you set on the summer mode, the hot tub gets cold by itself. A hot tub under this mode utilizes a timer to shut off the pump for eight hours to cool down the hot tub. When you set the summer mode at night, there will be a significant drop in the hot tub temperatures.
Suppose your hot tub doesn’t have a summer mode. The economy or sleep mode will work the same way and help you attain considerable temperatures for soaking in the summer.
You can also lower the temperature setting manually and set the filtration system to minimal. Setting the filtration to a lower interval will keep the spa water from circulating too much, causing heat.
What to Do With a Hot Tub in The Summer?
The four best things to do with a hot tub in the summer:
- Enjoy a Cooler Soak
- Use the Spa at Night
- Entertain Friends and Family
- Let Your Spa Heal Sore Muscles
There’s a lot you can do with your hot tub during summer. The beautiful sunshine in the summer could be more fun if you spend time in the hot tub. But let’s look at what you can do with your hot tub in summer.
Enjoy a Cooler Soak
Most people might think that a hot tub has to be hot. This is not always the case, especially when it is summertime. Ordinarily, I are advised to maintain the hot tub temperatures between 98 and 102 degrees without exceeding 104 degrees as the maximum temperatures. In summer, however, the outside temperatures may exceed 100 degrees. For this reason, I need to figure out how I can enjoy a cooler soak from our hot tubs.
For the maximum benefits, you should set the hot tub to 85 degrees. You can also opt to switch your hot tub to the summer mode, sleep, or economic mode to maintain lower temperatures. You should avoid shutting the air jets because they will increase the efficiency with which the cold water circulates in the hot tub. At low temperatures, you will be able to enjoy a more relaxed cool soak that refreshes your body and mind.
Check out our article on using a hot tub to help you burn more calories and get into better shape!
Use The Spa at Night
Another great idea is to use the spa at night when the outside temperatures are low. Imagine enjoying the warm breeze as you watch stars in the sky from your hot tub.
When the sun has subsided, the evening temperatures reduce, creating a perfect chance for a prolonged soaking experience. The rejuvenating and luxurious experience in your backyard will be enhanced by the cool night breeze when you start taking a bath in the hot tub.
Hot tubs are perfect for improving your sleep patterns. The massage and the warmth from the hot tub water can help relax your mind and body when you soak at night. It will also improve flexibility and mobility from your body as you get rid of any tensions. Taking a soak at night can help with how quickly you fall asleep and how long you stay asleep.
If you’re looking for a great spa robe as a gift I recommend this robe from Turquaz Linen.
If you’re looking for some great slippers to wear out to your spa, check out these memory foam slippers.
Entertain Friends and Family
Other than therapeutic healing, spas can be used for entertainment. Indeed, this is among the major functions of a hot tub. People buy a hot tub to entertain their family and friends.
Most people recognize summer as a perfect time for spending their time with their loved ones. The beautiful summer weather encourages you to spend quality time with your loved ones at the beach or in your backyard. You can create one of the best memorable experiences when you soak with your loved ones.
You can invite your friends or call upon your family to soak with you on a cool evening. While using the spa, you can carry a cold drink or a few glasses of wine for each of your friends. Spend your good time talking stories, relaxing, or listening to some favorite music. Share stories, listen to your favorite music, and play as much as possible to create a memorable moment.
Playing fun hot tub games with friends and family is also a great way to spend time together.
Hot tub aromatherapy is also a great way to make enjoying your spa in the summertime that much better.
Make your summer different by giving the right experiences to your loved ones. Remember that you will get entertained when you choose to spend time in the hot tubs with your friends. You can even plan a good backyard party for your loved ones to create something more memorable for everyone.
Check out our article on the best hot tub drink holders to help you enjoy your spa even more!
Let Your Spa Heal Sore Muscles
You’d agree that the beautiful warm weather of summer can encourage most of us to get outdoor to be active. But doing so increases the possibility of making your body get toll from all the physical activities you will undertake. The common activities that people pursue in summer include hiking, playing baseball, golfing, and playing soccer. These and other activities can train the muscles and make your body sore. The added stress and pressure on your body affects joints and muscles, leading to pain, aches, and exhaustion. Sometimes you can even sustain a minor injury.
Some people use deep heat and similar products to relieve pains in the joints and muscles, but this is not an effective solution because it works on the applied areas alone.
The best solution for body stress and mental tension is soaking in the hot tub. Soaking is also a perfect solution for the aching joints and muscles. When you spend time in the hot tub after a busy day with these activities, you will have an excellent opportunity to relax and heal off. Therefore, you do not have to let the pains and aches from the summer day’s activities slow you. The jetted water will relieve the pressure from your body and soothe your sore muscles.
Can You Use a Hot Tub in The Summer: Conclusion
Can you use a hot tub in the summer? I have seen that you can use a hot tub in the summer from the information I have provided above. The minimum temperature you can set in your hot tub is 95 degrees, but this can go down to 85 degrees. You can also turn the temperatures downwards at the control panel, set the summer mode, or use the sleep/economy mode.
You can use a hot tub in summer to enjoy a cooler soak, prepare for a healthy sleep or enjoy the spa with your loved ones. A hot tub can also be used in the summer to heal your muscle and joint pains.
I hope you found this article on using your hot tub in the summer helpful.
I also talk about using a hot tub in the rain which can a great experience for any spa user, check out our full article on the subject.
Thanks for visiting spatoolkit.com
James Brockbank
Stop wasting time and money with hot tub maintenance and confusing water chemistry! Get Instant access to this easy-to-use book and video course so you can spend less time cleaning and more time soaking.
Learn More