Outdoor‍‌‍‍‌ Hot Tub Lifespan: FAQs and LOVIA® Warranty Policy

When looking at buying an outdoor spa hot tub, consumers aside from the price, design, and massage functions often ask questions like: "How many years can an outdoor hot tub last?" "What factors influence the lifespan of a spa hot tub?" and "What is covered by the warranty?". An outdoor spa hot tub is a big piece of equipment that you can use over a period of time, but the investment in purchase, installation, and post-purchase maintenance should be fully considered. The durability of the product and the quality of after-sales service are two major factors that directly influence the overall investment value.

Actually, a well- made outdoor spa hot tub when installed, maintained, and used properly will usually be in a working condition for 10-15 years or more. With the use of high-grade components and an up-to-date and mature manufacturing process a spa hot tub can even last for more than 20 years because its major component will hardly wear out and needs no repairs at a regular time interval. It should be recognized that besides the quality of the manufacturing the life span is also determined by the environment where the spa hot tub is located, how often it is used, how good the water is kept, and by the type and quality of the maintenance.

This article will cover what factors and conditions influence the life expectancy of an outdoor spa hot tub to give you a fair understanding of it. It also will describe LOVIA® outdoor spa hot tub's warranty policy and after-sales philosophy to help you make the right decision.

How long can I use an outdoor spa hot tub?

Industry Experience says the life span of the spa hot tubs can be divided roughly into three categories.

The low-end category spa hot tubs made up of the cheap material and not so advanced technology would usually serve the purpose of a family for about 5-8 years under normal usage and maintenance. Mid-to-high-end product level spa hot tubs with more sophisticated materials such as higher quality acrylic and the improved system design that gives stability and insulation may be expected to last for 10-15 years. The ones that are made following the most advanced processes, using the best specs for the components, together with the highest quality control will continue performing at the highest level on the outside as well as the inside for at least 15 years and only a few easily changeable parts will need replacing.

However, it is always worth mentioning that a spa hot tub's lifetime is the life of the whole system or unit and is decided as a result of the combination of different elements such as the acrylic inner surface, the frame, the flow of water system, control system of the electricity, heating system, massage nozzle and the insulator.

What factors affect the lifespan of an outdoor spa hot tub?

It is a very common mistake where people think that the life of a product will be longer if they are willing to pay some extra money for an outdoor spa hot tub. The fact of the matter is that a long term life of a product can be mainly dependent on its manufacturing quality and maintenance after that.

1. Acrylic Inner Tank Material

The acrylic tank is one of the most important parts of a spa hot tub.

In order to increase their durability most quality outdoor spa hot tub manufacturers prefer to use high-grade acrylic sheets that come with the characteristics of being highly resistant to UV rays and high temperature and they are also resistant to the corrosive effect of chemicals. When you look at premium acrylic you will find that the surface is so smooth it is actually harder for it to experience such problems as cracks, fading and loss of shine.

If you compare an acrylic with that of an ordinary plastic which easily undergoes thermal cycling deformation and structural deterioration under long-term exposure to temperatures around 35°C to 40°C, you may say that the material used by the professional is not only a durable but a highly resistant one.

2. Frame Structure

The frame gives the structure a load -bearing capacity.

The industry at the present time is the corrosion-resistant metal frames, high-strength composite frames and anti-corrosion treated wood. The best way to go if you are planning on installing the unit outdoors for very long is to go for the high-strength metal or composite frame for they have excellent corrosion resistance which minimizes your risk of structural aging from exposure to a humid environment.

3. Piping System

The internal circulation piping of an outdoor spa hot tub is quite complicated.

A typical spa hot tub of five to six seats is expected to have as many as a hundred meters of PVC piping which is used to connect massage jets, a circulation system, water pump, and a filtration system.

Professional and well-known manufacturers usually employ high-temperature, pressure-resistant PVC pipes verified with the help of pressure testing to seal them. For instance, the industry norm is about 30 minutes of pressure testing just to be sure that no connection point was left unsealed. Although these features are invisible to the naked eye, they do have a huge impact on the stable operation of your equipment over a long period of time.

4. Water Pump and Electrical Control System

Contemporary spa hot tubs most of the time have circulation pump, massage pump, and an intelligence control system.

Massage pumps of mid-to-high end units typically have power ranging from 2HP to 5HP and are equipped with advanced digital control systems which enable a range of functions such as water temperature control, spa mode selection and fault diagnosis.

Electrical protection such as overcurrent or leakage, and even dry-burn protection is part of a very good electronic control system that can enhance safety besides reducing risks of damage caused by abnormal working conditions to the equipment.

5. Insulation System

It is the insulation that keeps your spa hot tub in hot condition.

Today spa hot tub makers utilize multi-layer insulation such as insulated cover, insulation skirt, and high-density polyurethane insulation layer for better heat retention.

As heat-up is one of the most energy consuming functions, you will save money on the long term by making the hot system run less often as a result.

How does maintenance affect the longevity of an outdoor whirlpool spa hot tub? 

Lack of maintenance can lead even to the early breakdown of a well-maintained whirlpool spa hot tub after some period of operation.

Maintaining a balanced water condition by testing regularly pH, chlorine/bromine level, and Total Alkalinity is an important part. Prolonged exposure of water with either too high or too low pH, Total Alkalinity or Chlorine level can cause the corrosion of heater elements, nozzles, and gaskets.

Depending on the intensity of whirlpool spa hot tubs use, it should be done a periodic filter cleaning generally every 2 - 4 weeks, and replacement of filter cartridges in cases where necessary, approximately each 12 months to keep the efficiency of the circulation system up.

Paying regular attention to water change is a good practice: the water should be changed every 3-4 months on the average. However, for commercial whirlpool spa hot tubs because of their heavier frequency of use and the amount of users, water changing can be done more frequently.

In case of long-term whirlpool spa hot tub inactivity, you ought to switch off the power, empty the whirlpool spa hot tub water, and keep the inner part dry. Additionally, the cover should be placed over the whirlpool spa hot tub unit so as to avoid direct UV exposure as well as reducing the buildup of dust.

Will outdoor installation environment influence the hot tub lifespan?

Yes, definitely.

Outdoor whirlpool spa hot tubs are under constant exposure to sunlight, rain, wind, snow, sand, diurnal temperature fluctuations and other factors that cause their outdoor installation.

We suggest you install your outdoor whirlpool spa hot tub on a flat and sturdy ground with good soil drainage so that water does not accumulate there for long time period. At the same time, it is advisable to build sunshades, or plant trees and create green barriers around so that the outdoor whirlpool spa hot tub will be less exposed to direct sunlight thus the cover and external part will be protected and last longer than usual.

It is also advisable in cold regions to operate the whirlpool spa hot tub continuously and not turn it off every now and then just to be able to use water for heating again. Not only will it be saving you money on a daily basis, but also it will be protecting the pipes through the prevention of frost damage.

Can all components of an outdoor hot tub have the same lifespan?

No, of course not.

Outdoor whirlpool spa hot tubs belong to the system class in equipment where different components of that system have designed or expected lifetimes different from each other.

The core acrylic and frame have a designed life of over 15 years; the pump will last about 5 to 10 years; while heater will be able to function stably more than 5 years; filter element being a consumer product must be changed regularly, i.e. no longer than 1 year, according to use of whirlpool spa hot tub; some rubber parts, such as, nozzles and seals may become aged and lose elasticity over time, which is a normal occurrence, and is part of maintenance.

Therefore, even parts that are replaced do not necessarily mean that the whole whirlpool spa hot tub is at an end. With such replacements even top-rated whirlpool spa hot tubs continue to deliver a flawless experience for many more years without requiring much care.

Why is the manufacturing process of the whirlpool spa hot tub more critical than its specs?

A lot of customers, when looking to buy hot tubs, are only concentrated on the specs, such as the number of the jets the pumps produce.

The point is processes are more fundamental than specs.

Manufacturers may, for instance, have a big number of jets and a powerful pump and the result is not necessarily a better system if the layout and design of pipe system, methods the jets are mounted, insulation processes and testing overall are the weakest ones.

Established and professional manufacturers use standardized production steps to ensure quality, and implement strict checking at all stages from acrylic forming and reinforcing using glass fibres to water system installation, electrical work, and finally, water filling test. This manufacturing consistency greatly reduces the risk of leakage, noise, and failure later on, and it is the main way of determining the whirlpool spa hot tubs that can endure long-term, reliably working.

What strategies does LOVIA® employ to prolong whirlpool spa hot tub lifespan?

A business that has been devoted to the field of Spa equipment research, development and manufacturing for a long period of time, LOVIA® is constantly making efforts to improve the overall structural design of outdoor whirlpool spa hot tubs as one of its focuses. The company remains committed at a stable level to product material research, improvement of production technology and quality management for customers' satisfaction.

Taking product design as an example, LOVIA® makes use of high-grade acrylic, insulation structure and circulation systems specially suitable for outdoor applications. By quality control methods like whole-unit water filling test, functional test, and electrical safety check, the manufacturer ensures that the machines will reach a satisfactory working state before leaving the factory. Furthermore, LOVIA® can support its partners with their needs as Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Original Design Manufacturer (ODM), product specification can be changed per application scene, the company has diversified solutions ready for homes, hotels, health centers, or even for commercial purposes.

LOVIA® believes in stability, energy efficiency, and convenience for customers in the matter of long-term maintenance. It does not go after high specifications only, but aims, through overall reliable operation of the machine, to secure the user of the same high quality in the whirlpool spa hot tub experience throughout the entire life cycle of the product.

Explanation LOVIA® Warranty Policy

In a sense, an exhaustive warranty policy is not only the manifestation of a manufacturer's pride on the product's quality but also a promise of user's ability to rely heavily on and enjoy the product even after the warranty period is over.

According to the functionality and usage condition, the various parts of LOVIA® outdoor spa equipment have varying warranty periods and are covered for their life only up to the point of the warranty period. For example, the acrylic surface or body, main structure, electrical system, control system, etc., which are the main components of the product, usually offer different warranty periods. The actual terms of the warranty, including coverage and periods, are dependent on the particular product model, sales territory, and the nature of the agreement entered in between the two contracting parties.

(1) Structure: 5 years;

(2) Shell: 3 years;

 (3) Jet, Valve, Drain, Pillow, Suction, Skirt, Pipe: 2 years;

 (4) Electricity: 2 years;

 (5) Filter: 2 years;

 (6) Other accessories: 2 years.

The warranty generally refers only to the faults of production quality that develop in the process of normal installation, correct usage, and right way of maintaining the equipment. Problems, which have been made or worsened by the user’s intervention, such as wrong or not following the technical requirements (installation errors and/or misuse), natural catastrophes, the improper way of maintenance, poor water condition, or the change of the unit without the written permission of manufacturer or the like, usually fall beyond the scope of the warranty. Thus, it is advisable before the installation you read and strictly adhere to the instructions in the manual, and retain the purchase and installation documents for use during any eventual after-sales assistance.

LOUIA® also provides international services like technical support, parts supply and after-care assistance for our international clientele so that partners may carry out the product maintenance and follow-up service work easily and quickly. This is one of the main factors that modern outdoor whirlpool spa hot tub manufacturers are increasingly taking into account.

FAQ

Q1: How many years can an outdoor whirlpool spa hot tub typically be used?

High-quality outdoor whirlpool spa hot tubs usually have a service life or 10-15 years. The use of superior materials, a sophisticated manufacturing process, and good servicing will even result in the primary structure remaining in a top shape over a 20 years period.

Q2: Which factors most frequently cause an outdoor hot tub to lose its efficiency and therefore, its life?

The main causes of whirlpool spa hot tub wear-out that a user cannot control or easily detect include imbalanced water conditions over the long-term period, lack of maintenance on the filter system, frost cracking and power outages which result in freezes, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, a foundation that constantly shifts in relation to the whirlpool spa hot tub and no regular maintenance work.

Q3: How frequently should the water of the outdoor whirlpool spa hot tub be changed?

Generally, it is advised to the residential customers to change the water of their outdoor whirlpool spa hot tub about once in three to four months. Should the level of use be higher or in the case of the installation of the tub for a commercial purpose, one should cut down the period between the two water changes according to the level of actual usage, besides making sure that the filter system keeps being run correctly.

Q4: What about the warranty? Do all components of the outdoor hot tub have the same warranty term?

Most probably no. Warranty duration and conditions for components differ on a case-to-case basis, largely depending on design lifetime, and usage characteristics. For instance, the main support of the product, acrylic part, water pump, etc., and other related components are the subject of a warranty plan, and details regarding them will generally be explained in the product manual or through official terms of warranty.

Q5: What can I do to make the outdoor whirlpool spa hot tub last for a longer period of time?

As the first step, it should be made into a habit to analyze the water condition of your outdoor whirlpool spa hot tub on a regular basis, cleaning your filter, and changing the water when it’s time. In areas with cold weather, one of the methods you can employ to protect your whirlpool spa hot tub is keeping the heating system running most of the time which helps it to not get exposed to the freezing temperatures as well as to protect the other internal parts from getting cracked. One major thing you also need to do is not to expose the hot tub’s body and cover directly to the sunlight for an extensive time as the cover and shell will be the ones to suffer as a result. It is a necessity to do the maintenance, such as daily checks and annual deep cleanings of all parts of whirlpool spa hot tub by following the manufacturer’s instructions. If your brand provides a full-scale quality assurance program and excellent after-sales service system in addition with other great features it would certainly be a great choice to buy their whirlpool spa hot tub with the assurance that your long-term repair cost will be minimized and your overall lifespan of the whirlpool spa hot tub will be extended. 

Besides, you could get the most out of your time using your whirlpool spa hot tub and reduce any possible discomfort by being very mindful with the kind choices you make at every step of the hot tub ownership phase. In addition, the purchase of a hot tub from a brand that has a good reputation of customer service and support as well as the highest standards of quality will surely assist you in reducing the repair costs over time. So you would not only be protecting yourselves and your property but also your investment. ‍‌‍‍‌