Fix Your Hot Tub’s Water Quality Problems
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Remember to exercise caution when attending to your hot tub’s mechanical and electrical parts. We recommend contacting an expert technician when repairs require professional attention, especially during the warranty periodyou don’t want to risk voiding your warranty.
Hot Tub Water Not Heating Up
If you turned on the hot tub, and the hot tub water doesnt get hot after a period of time, then you might have a hot tub heater problem. So, why is your hot tub not heating up?
Different reasons could hinder a hot tub from heating up. It could be a burnt-out heating element, a glitch with the circuit board, a pest problem, a low flow issue, a faulty thermostat, wrong settings, or even low power voltage.
With so many possibilities, the most important step is to figure out the cause of the problem. When you narrow down the possibilities and figure out the cause, you can decide on how to fix it.
Always Refill A Hot Tub Through The Filter Tube
You can prevent an airlock and other flow or pressure issues in a hot tub during refill.
Do not refill a hot tub from the bottom up. Instead, put the hose into the filter tube. This way, you will have water flowing into the plumbing system before refilling the hot tub. The water flowing into the pipes will flush all the trapped air out through the jets and drain holes of the hot tub.
Therefore, you wont have an airlock, and your hot tub will start to heat after a refill.
Heres a comprehensive video tutorial from Spa Man to help you refill a hot tub perfectly:
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There Are Problems With The Hot Tub Pump
If your hot tub pumps have started to make loud noises, its usually a sign they need to be replaced.
Squealing sounds indicate the bearings have worn out and grumbling noises may mean you need to make a few adjustments. If you get a noisy hum coming from the pump, check for loose bolts and screws.
Check the valves in your pump are fully open and remove anything that could be causing it to clog up.
Hot tub pump problems can impact the functioning of your jets. Again, check to see if your filter has got clogged up and make sure it hasnt taken in any water.
Its really important to keep your filters clean, especially for a fully functioning, safe hot tub. For more information on how to clean your filter, check out our guide here.
How Do I Test My Hot Tub Heater
test hot tubtestheatersMy Hot Tub Is Displaying FLO or DR. or DRY Error Message
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Hot Tub Not Heating 5 Reasons Why
Most of the time, the problem lies in the corrosion of parts. Corroded heater elements and corroded temperature sensors are on top of the list. The reason is that most of the parts in a hot tub are made of metal, and metals do corrode, especially in low pH environments.
When you add sanitizers to disinfect the water, the pH of the water changes. Thus, it is necessary to maintain the pH under normal ranges so that your hot tub lasts for a longer time.
Heater Element Is Broken
Heating elements usually lie next to the high limit switch and pressure switch, and these components can be sensitive. Buildup from hard water or dirty filters can damage the heater element and cause the hot tub to stop working. If you reset the hot tub and it immediately stops, you might have to call a professional and get a replacement heater element.
Troubleshooting the tub may be the key to finding the problem and getting your hot tub water nice and toasty again. While it may be possible to assess the problem yourself, dealing with water and electricity can be very dangerous. Addressing malfunctioning hot tubs on your own can, in the most serious cases, put you at a higher risk of electric shocks, explosions and other serious accidents. If youre not completely confident in your abilities, its best to call in an expert.
If you decide to take on troubleshooting your hot tub problems yourself, there are a couple of things you can do.
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Safety Circuit Not Working
Another common problem happens when the high limit switch of the safety circuit is not working right. The purpose of this switch is to prevent a runaway spa heater. Such a heater can easily overheat the whole system and cause myriad problems which is where the safety circuit comes in.
The reasons why the high limit switch is causing problems can be different. One possibility is that the switch is broken and is preventing the heater from working for no reason which can be easily checked if you test the temperatures of the heater yourself and they are within the recommended limits. In this case, you should just replace the high limit switch or the whole safety circuit.
On the other hand, there might be good reasons why the high limit switch is stopping the heater. If low water flow, some loose wire connections, incorrect voltages, damaged wires, or any other problems are leading to overheating, then the high limit switch is very much doing its job when its stopping the hot tub from working.
If neither of these is your problem or if youre feeling a bit overwhelmed, the right call is to call a professional. Hot tubs are big and complicated machines that involve lots of safety mechanisms, high voltages, and high temperatures. Caution is definitely advised when dealing with such a device.
Troubleshooting A Faulty Pressure Switch
One solution to low water flow is a pressure switch, which is screwed into the heater chamber. It senses when the water pressure is too low, and thus protects the heater against overheating. Pressure switches break the electrical circuit powering the heater element, and the heater shuts down when the water flow is insufficient. It will start heating again once the proper water level and flow are established.
You can test the performance of most pressure switches by using a jumper wire to connect the two wires together, bypassing the switch.
Many spa pressure switches can be adjusted with a thumb wheel or small slotted screw to close the circuit at a particular pressure rating. For example, some are adjustable from 1 to 5 PSI. You can make small adjustments to the pressure switch by turning the wheel or screw, but the factory-calibrated setting is safest for your spa heater.
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Loosen The Pumps Lock Nut To Purge The Air
Check your hot tub pump, and you will find a lock nut. Generally, the lock nut is aligned vertically and upwards from the pump or horizontally and sideways in a hot tub. The pumps lock nut may be white, black, or gray.
Your hot tub plumbing system has more than one lock nut. However, you need to use the lock nut on the pump. Additionally, pumps can have two lock nuts. So, you must select the lock nut that is at a higher point.
Here are the steps to use the pumps lock nut to purge the air:
Heres a quick video from Jasyn Love to help you prime the hot tub pump:
You can use this method to purge air out of any lock nut, even those connected to the heater. However, the process works best when you choose the highest lock nut in a plumbing setup. Air rises when you relieve the pressure in a sealed system, even if it is an airlock.
Common Mistakes People Make When Using Hot Tubs
Above, I have extensively discussed some of the most common reasons behind a malfunctioning hot tub. But they arent the only causes of not getting hot water from your Jacuzzi. Sometimes, some of our activities can drag the hotness of the water. Here are some mistakes people make before jumping to the conclusion that their hot tub is busted.
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How To Easily Replace Your Whole Control Box/heater Assembly
If your hot tub is over 10 years old, it may also make sense to just get a brand new control box with the heater assembly. This is incredibly easy to install, as it just involves:
- Turn off the master breaker for the hot tub
- Close the gate valves on either side of the control box
- Unscrew the PVC connectors on either side of the control box
- Open the control box and disconnect the main power line that goes to your breaker panel
- Unscrew the control box from the wood frame of the hot tub
- Replace with the new control box and repeat the above steps in reverse order to install it
If you opt to replace the whole thing, which again, is pretty easy, here is . At my last house & hot tub, I had to replace mine, and this one worked great!
Keep in mind, if you decide to do it yourself, you need to be experienced in tinkering with electricity and water at the same time.
Im showing you here steps that I have taken on my hot tubs over the years, but I am not a professional electrician, and my article should be considered professional electrician advice.
If you need an electrician or professional advice, you should seek out a qualified professional in your area.
Your Hot Tub Control Panel Is Not Working And Displaying Errors
Although they show something is wrong, sometimes hot tub error codes can be confusing and dont necessarily pinpoint the cause of the problem. Manuals have many error codes. The five common error codes include:
- FLOW: Appears when there is improper flow. You may also see it when your jets misbehave. Check for blockages, clean or replace your filter and determine if the circulation pump is working.
- OH: Appears when the water is too hot to use. Check your circulation system and filter. Also ensure your pump is not running for very long periods. You may need to replace the temperature sensor. But if the display appears and your water is not hot, it is advisable to call hot tub experts.
- DRY: Means insufficient water is getting to the heating element. You may have to top your hot tub. Please use a hose filter to prevent impurities from getting into your spa and plumbing system. Double check to make sure no debris is present in your circulation system before restarting.
- COOL: Appears when the actual water temperature is 20 degrees lower than what you set it at. Place your hot tub cover back and allow the heater to run for 24 hours.
- SNA / SNB: Sensors A and or B might be going bad or sensor circuit has problems. You may need to get a new sensor. Call an expert if youre uncomfortable or unsure.
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My Hot Tub Is Not Heating Up: What Is Going On
Hot tub owners often look forward to the end of the day when they can unwind and relax as they step into the warm water. If you turned your hot tub on hours ago and it still feels lukewarm, you are likely left wondering why your hot tub is not heating up. What might be going on with your hot tub and how can you fix it?
There are a few reasons why your hot tub may not be working properly: clogged parts, broken switches, a malfunctioning thermostat, a broken pump or a faulty heating element.
Release Any Pump Airlocks
If your hot tub isnt heating, and youve recently emptied and filled your hot tub. Or if your water level was too low. You could have an air lock in the system. This means a bit of air is trapped, which is stopping water flow. And could mean little of no water is getting through the hot tub pipes and heater.
To fix this, firstly:
If you try this and water is not coming out the jets, but you hear the pumps trying to start, then you may have a more serious airlock. You will need to try and release this at source.In this case, do not try to run the pumps as it may damage them. You will need to:
1. Loosen off the union on the suction side of the pump till water starts coming out
2. Tighten the union back up
If youre not sure on how to fix this, then we recommend you contact a specialist.
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Hot Tub Heater Malfunctioning
Most hot tub heater elements have a lifespan of about 510 years. Check wires and connections to the heater, and ensure all connections are tight. Look for signs of frayed, chewed, or burned wires, and make sure there is power coming to the heater. If you notice the coating around the filament of the heating element has any cracks or chips, replace the element.
DIY TIP: Rule out power problems by testing for voltage coming into your spa pack. Then verify that the voltage is reaching your heating element. Sometimes a bad contactor can prevent voltage from reaching the element.
If you are comfortable testing voltage, you can check the volts on the heater terminals with a multi-meter or AC volt meter. Set the meter to AC volts, with a setting higher than 240V. With the thermostat turned up and the pump running on high, touch or clip each meter lead to each terminal . You should see 220 volts or something pretty close . If you get 220V but no heat, this usually means the heater element isn’t working properly. If you don’t get any volts while testing the heater leads or terminals, check that GFCI outlet or circuit breakers have not tripped. Make sure the thermostat is turned up. If you still get nothing, the circuit board is likely bad.
Water Flow Or Circulation Problems
If your water is heating up very slowly. Or if your heating keeps turning off. You may have a flow problem.
In this case, your control panel topside may show LF or FLO .
This means there is an issue with water flow, and not enough water is passing through the heater. As a safety feature, the heater should be designed to cut out so it doesnt burn out.
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How To Reset A Hot Tub Control Panel
Weve already mentioned resetting your hot tub a couple of times as a way to solve some of your heater problems. But what if you dont know how? The good news is that its really easy.
Just follow these steps:
- Check your breakers and make sure they are flipped on. If you have a GFCI outlet, press the reset button to restore power.
- Locate your hot tubs high-limit reset switch. This is usually a red button found on a spa pack that is occasionally covered by a rubber nipple.
- Press that button until you feel it click inwards.
- Turn your hot tub back on and observe what happens next. Is water flowing? Is it getting warm?
Unfortunately, if this doesnt fix your hot tub heating problem, there is probably an issue with your heating element.
A hot tub that isnt heating isnt the only problem that hot tub owners come across. Have you ever noticed abnormally low water levels in your hot tub?
Hot Tub Electrical Problems
Apart from these primary problems, there are some little problems too. These are uncommon problems but are easy to solve.
Check for Fuses
Fuses are commonly used on devices that use large amounts of current. It is possible that a fuse on the control board is blown and is not letting the current pass through the heater. So check for these and replace them.
Proper Insulation
More heat could be leaving the tub than it is being added to the tub. Proper insulation of the heat tub is necessary, but unfortunately, many people dont find it important. Keep the spa covers on. Replace them if they are broken so that heat is not being wasted.
Even if your hot tub is working g properly, it is necessary to minimize the heat losses to save on the running cost. Insulation is an essential factor to consider if you run a spa.
Tripped GFCI unit
A GFCI a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter is a circuit breaker that cuts the electric supply within 1/40 of a second in case of a short circuit. It works by comparing the currents going to and coming from the hot tub.
When GFCI is tripped, a reset button comes out. Push this button to release the current. You can find this button on the GFCI unit.
Chewed or crossed wires can also cause the breaker to cut the supply. Check the cables for possible contact. Replace the cables if you find a defect. Contact a licensed technician to put the wiring as this can be dangerous to the bathers lives.
Door lock open
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