Do Blow Up Hot Tubs Work in Winter?

Written by Jeff Campbell in Hot Tub Operational Tips

blow up hot work work in winter

Inflatable hot tubs are a great way to get into hot tubbing on a budget. But they do have their limitations. So, do blow up hot tubs work in winter?

Here’s what I saw:

Blow up hot tubs can work during winter. However, they are not designed for weather that is regularly below 40° F as they are poorly insulated. So, while they can be used, the heater will struggle to get the water temperature to the setpoint and will likely be as much as 5 degrees lower.

But there’s a lot more to know.

In this article, we’ll explore whether they deflate in cold weather, how you can insulate them better, and if they work if the temperature goes below freezing. But we’ll also find out if you should winterize them.

Let’s get started.

Do inflatable hot tubs deflate in cold weather?

No, inflatable tubs do not deflate in cold weather. The inflatable shell will be just as rigid in winter as it would be in summer. However, they will struggle to maintain the set water temperature when the air temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

One of the challenges with blow-up (inflatable) hot tubs is that, unlike regular tubs, the jets and the heater cannot work at the same time.

So, if you’ve got the jets on while soaking, the pump can’t pump water through the heater!

Therefore, the more frequently you soak, the harder time the unit has in trying to maintain the water temperature.

In addition to this, inflatable hot tubs are made with vinyl. So, they’re not as insulated as their hard-sided cousins that are made with acrylic and have sprayed on insulation under the shell.

Having said that, inflatable hot tubs can stay warm-ish in cold weather.

Ensure that you take advantage of the many ways through which you can insulate them. But if the temperature is below freezing for an extended period of time, it’s best to save them for warmer times.

Of course, if you live in a warm climate or have your hot tub indoors, you won’t have to worry.

And some people just move their inflatable hot tub to the garage for winter. It may be chilly in there, but it won’t be nearly as cold as outside.

I bet there is other stuff you’d like to know about hot tubs in general.

That’s why I’ll suggest that you check out a recent article where I shared 23 crucial things to know before buying your first hot tub.

In it, I revealed what kind of hot tub to buy and if it’s okay to buy a used tub. But I also shared other vital info, such as whether you’ll need a concrete slab as a base. I cover both “regular” hot tubs as well as blow-up/inflatable hot tubs.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

How do you insulate an inflatable hot tub?

Insulate an inflatable hot tub with an insulated ground mat. Typically, this mat comes with a new inflatable hot tub. However, since most mats are nothing more than a tarp, using a padded but waterproof blanket on top of the mat can improve the insulation.

Also, make sure to use the inflatable bladder on the surface of the water when not in use. Let’s dive deeper into some of those solutions, plus a few others.

Ground mat

A ground mat prevents heat transfer from your hot tub to the surface on which it is placed.

As you know, heat moves from where there’s intense warmth towards a cold part. Without a ground mat, a part of the heat would be escaping, as it were.

A lot of hot tubs come with ground mats, but you can easily purchase one if yours did not.

Foam base sheet

Foam sheets are an excellent way to add more ground insulation, and you can easily put them yourself. You can buy them at Home Depot and place them under the hot tub.

Ideally, you want foams that are an inch thick. You can also use old foams as long as they are thick. Any thick foam would work well as an insulator.

Because of its thickness, it would also protect the base of the hot tub from debris and punctures.

Hot tub pad

Hot tub pads are great for hot tub insulation. They can be a tad expensive, but they are worth it. They are highly durable and are made of plastic.

CLICK HERE to see the best-selling one on Amazon.

Thermal cover

At the risk of stating the obvious, heat can be lost if the hot tub is not covered.

So, it’s smart to place a thermal blanket over it before placing its cover. The blanket traps steam preventing it from leaving the tub.

Insulated Jacket

The base is not the only pathway through which heat can escape from your hot tub.

The sides are another path. This is why an insulated jacket that can be wrapped around your hot tub is also a wise investment.

It can be foam insulation or partial foam insulation using foil or bubble material. The jacket can be left in place even while the tub is in use.

Some models are made from high-quality weatherproof material, so they are very durable and also make your tub more attractive.

Hot tub bladder

A hot tub bladder provides support for the hot tub cover such that it helps with heat retention and prevents rainwater from pooling on the hot tub. And it will help a hot tub heat faster. Usually, your blow-up hot tub will come with one.

The hot tub bladder is inflated and placed on top of the water (under the cover).

It serves to preserve the heat and prevents the hot tub from sagging, as unwanted rainwater can easily run off of the bladder. It’s one of the important insulators you’ll want to get for your hot tub.

Those are the main ways to insulate your inflatable hot tub.

Note that an inflatable hot tub should never be placed directly on grass or gravel. Stones, the sharp chips of gravel, could easily puncture it. Always place a ground mat underneath to protect it.

But can you put a hot tub on a deck?

In a recent article, I shared the weight of an inflatable hot tub and if hot tub water has a harmful effect on the wooden deck. But I also shared whether you have to reinforce your deck if you’re going to place an inflatable hot tub on it.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Do blow up hot tubs not work if the temperature goes below freezing?

Blow up hot tubs will work if the temperature goes below freezing. However, the lower the air temperature, the more the heater will struggle to maintain the set point of the water. But the heater could fail in temperatures below 25° F.

This is why it’s advisable not to use them when the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

The main challenge is that the motor mechanism is not really designed for use in cold conditions and could be damaged. In most inflatable hot tubs, the pump cannot run when the air jets are expelling the bubbles and vice versa.

In winter, the water cools down rapidly when the lid is taken off, as it’s not possible to run the water heater and the air jets at the same time.

Many owners of blow-up hot tubs move theirs to a garage in winter.

Can an inflatable hot tub get to 104° in winter?

It is possible for an inflatable hot tub to get to 104° F in winter as long as the air temperature is 40° F or above. Below 40° F, the unit is unlikely to maintain a water temperature of 104° F.

Of course, if your hot tub is not situated outdoors (like in a garage or sunroom), you’ve got nothing to worry about.

It should be able to reach the set temperature which is 104°. As long as the ambient temperature is at least 40 degrees, it should be able to reach the desired temp.

Want to know more about inflatable hot tubs and how they function?

You’ll enjoy a recent article where I explained how inflatable hot tubs work. I shared info about whether it’s okay to use them in winter and if you can leave them on all the time. But I also shared how they affect your electricity bill.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Should you winterize an inflatable hot tub?

Winterizing is not necessary for an inflatable hot tub. Instead, simply drain, deflate, and pack away until spring. Do this once the temperature is consistently well below 40° F.

If you plan to own a regular hard-sized hot tub someday, it’s good to know what winterizing a tub is all about. It’s a way of protecting your investment. As you know, regular hot tubs can cost a pretty penny.

What’s winterizing? Let’s have an overview.

Essentially, it’s about preparing the hot tub before it’s stored away for the winter. This entails blowing the lines and removing every drop of water from the tub. This is because if this is not done, frozen water can easily damage it.

To winterize a hot tub, you wait until the sanitizer level has dropped to zero, then you drain the water into a spot where it’s not harmful to plants or pets. If the tub has a blower, that has to be drained too.

Naturally, the first thing to do is cut off the power and turn off the electricity supply from the breaker. At the risk of stating the obvious, electricity and water do not play well together.

The filters are removed, and the plumbing lines are blown.

Ensuring the lines are completely dry is one of the most vital aspects of winterizing. Then, the tub is thoroughly cleaned and wiped down. Then it is covered until the warmer times return.

How much does a blow-up Jacuzzi cost?

Blow-up Jacuzzis, also known as inflatable hot tubs, have an average price of $700. But they can range in price from $500 to $1,000 depending on the size and brand.

Let’s review some of the top brands and models and look at their prices, star rating, and seating capacity.

All of these are 4-stars or better! Click on any of the links to see more details on Amazon.

Brand Approx. Price Capacity # of Reviews
Bestway
SaluSpa Miami
SaluSpa Hawaii		 $500
$500		 4
6		 Over 3,400
Over 600
Intex
PureSpa
PureSpa Plus		 $650
$800		 6
6		 Over 1,400
Over 1,300
Coleman
SaluSpa
SaluSpa Hawaii		 $550
$600		 6
4		 Over 7,000
Over 1,900

Want to know my pick of those as the best of the best? I cover that in the next section, and it’s the very same one I bought.

Is there a 4-season inflatable hot tub?

There are 4-season inflatable hot tubs, although all will struggle to maintain the correct water temperature when the ambient air temperature is below 40° F. But the best is the PureSpa Greywood Deluxe by Intex.

CLICK HERE to check out its current price on Amazon.

It provides total relaxation since it has 170 jets and comes with hard water treatment built-in. It’s suitable for up to 6 people. In fact, it has virtually everything needed for a great experience.

It’s got a highly durable extra tech construction that makes it ideal for all seasons, and it can be easily set up, so it’s ready for water in about twenty minutes. So, you get to start soaking early.

Naturally, it can also be easily packed for storage or transported.

It has a built-in hard water treatment ensuring that the experience of soaking is more relaxing. In fact, it’s got a lot of features that make it worthwhile. They include:

  • Filter
  • Blower
  • Hard water system
  • LED light
  • Two filter cartridges
  • Two headrests
  • Thermal ground cloth
  • Carry bag 
  • Floating chlorine dispenser
  • Test strips

It’s got over 7,500 reviews on Amazon, and almost all are 5-stars.

CLICK HERE to check out its current price on Amazon.

Conclusion

In the article, we explored whether they deflate in cold weather, how you can insulate them, and if they work if the temperature goes below freezing. They do not deflate, and there are several ways to inflate them, and they do not work below freezing.

But we also found out if you should winterize them.

There’s really no reason to winterize them. Then, we considered whether they get up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit during winter and how much some of the top models cost, their capacity, and star ratings.

Lastly, we found out if there are 4-season inflatable hot tubs.

Image by Nina Garman from Pixabay Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

Jeff Campbell

Jeff Campbell is a father, martial artist, budget-master, Disney-addict, musician, hot tub lover, and recovering foodie having spent over 2 decades as a leader for Whole Foods Market.

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