Hot Tub Pumps Canada
Hot tub pumps are what push the water through the spa jets and provide for both an invigorating massage and also water circulation for the hot tub. Unlike a bath tub, spas circulate the water through a filter and keep the water clean for several months before needing a water change.
There are two types of pumps that can perform circulation duty on a hot tub; a dedicated 24-hour circulation pump or the low speed of a two speed pump. There are benefits and drawbacks to each type.
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Circulation Pumps
The main benefit of a 24-hour circulation pump is that they tend to run quieter. However they are constantly running and typically at a lower RPM so they move less water at a time. Their flow rate or GPM (gallons per minute) rating is low, but they constantly run.
There is not really any energy savings of using a weaker pump that never turns off vs. a more powerful pump that only needs to run 2-4 hours every 12 hours for properly circulating hot tub water.
The main benefit of using the low speed of a 2-speed jet pump is that even on low speed, the RPM (revolutions per minute) and hence GPM are higher than that of a typical circulation pump, so they have more pressure when pulling water through the filter. This arguably means better cleaning during the time they operate.
In Europe the difference is especially noticeable between operating a circ pump and the low speed of a jet pump. In one case, a leaf can be observed moving slowly around the spa without actually getting sucked into the filter compartment, while in the 2 speed version of the same spa the performance was much better.
It is noted, that lately circulation pumps have become larger and thus more powerful, blurring the line between the low speed on a big jet pump and the 24 hour circ pumps, however that also uses more energy and does not require 24 hour circulation anymore.
The hot tub industry is filled with counter-arguments and pundits who claim their method is better, but the last time tests were done, there were no significant energy savings of one type of pump over the other, so in the end it is personal preference. It is best that when the pump is running it clean the spa properly.
Number of Pumps
The number of pumps in a spa should be related to the number of jets in the spa. This is because all jets on a single line run by one pump divide the pump pressure, so the more jets that are installed an open, the less powerful each jet will be.
Manifold plumbing systems are better than old-style in-line plumbing systems that had the first jet in a series be the most powerful and the rest of the jets down the line became weaker and weaker.
With a manifold plumbing system, the pump distributes water pressure evenly by using a manifold which divides a single big line into many smaller lines which then each go on to a single jet or nozzle.
One way spa manufacturers can get more jets into a tub with a single jet pump is by installing a diverter valve that divides the spa into 2 sections. The valve then allows water pressure to be moved to group 1 or group 2, or somewhere in between. By only routing the water to 1/2 of the spa, it increases the pressure available to those jets.
Alternatively, many jets have adjustable rings around them that allow them to be dialed back or even turned off.
The more jets that are turned off being fed from the same pump, the better the pressure will be on the remaining jets.
Some huge spas that run 130 jets or more on 2 pumps, do not really run them all at the same time. Between diverters and sequencers that sequentially distribute the water, many more jets are in place than are actually used at once. The only alternative to use many jets at once is to add another jet pump. This is why elaborate spas have 3 jet pumps.
Hot Tub Blower - The Other Pump
The hot tub blower is really an air pump that blows air into dedicated air jets. This creates the champagne-like bubbles. They are not really a massage jet, but more of a bubbly sensation. Your typical bubbling cauldren effect is created by the spa blower.
Blowers have disadvantages too, such as they can cool down the water faster because air that is cooler than the spa water temperature is being mixed with the spa water.
They also tend to be loud, as they are air distribution machines not unlike a hair dryer. But on the plus side, they add another dimension to hot tub bubbling and enjoyment. You don't always need to turn the blower on, but it is there when you need it.
Some hot tubs even use the air from the blower and combine it with the water jets for a turbo massage.
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Hot Tub Pump Parts
Hot tub pumps typically last a long time if the water is maintained properly in the spa. Just don't run them dry.
How to Order a Hot Tub Pump
The best way to order a replacement hot tub pump is simply to read the label from the existing one. It should have the horsepower, voltage rating, frame size (usually either 48 frame or 56 frame) and other info needed to get the same type of pump as a replacement.
Things to consider include voltage (120v or 230v), 50hz or 60hz, plumbing size (usually either 1 1/2 inches or 2 inch plumbing) and orientation of the wet end (the wet end is the part of the pump where the water is spun by a turning impeller) - most wet ends on pumps can be rotated by 90 degrees in order to match up to the existing plumbing layout.
Also consider the horsepower, the frame size (48 frame or 56 frame) and the pump type or brand. Your online hot tub parts supplier can assist in matching up the pump.
How to find out what frame size a pump is:
When ordering a replacement spa pump, you can find much of the information on the bad pump's label.
Be sure you replace the pump with similar style pump such as the correct operating voltage, amperage draw on low and high speeds, horsepower rating and orientation of the plumbing unions for easily lining up the new pump with existing plumbing.