Experiencing heating problems with your spa or hot tub can be frustrating, especially when you’re looking forward to a relaxing soak.
The good news is that often, the culprit is a simple maintenance issue you can easily address yourself. In fact, low water flow through the heater chamber is the number one reason why hot tubs stop heating, often indicated by error codes like HTR FLOW LOW, F1, or FLO.
This guide will walk you through the most common causes of heating issues and provide straightforward solutions to get your hot tub back to the perfect temperature.
Common Hot Tub Heating Problems & Solutions
1. Low Water Level: Ensuring Proper Circulation
Colder temperatures increases water loss due evaporation during use or condensation dripping from tub cover around the outside of the tub.
Solution: To fill your tub, keep a garden hose handy. During colder months, store it in a heated area or fully drain it after each use to prevent ice blockages. Maintaining the correct water level is crucial for proper heater function.
2. Dirty or Clogged Filter: Maintaining Optimal Water Flow
Reduced flow of water though the filter perhaps due to more use of creams on your skin in the dry weather or extra users from entertaining.
Solution: Keep an extra filter or filter set on hand for quick replacements when flow is restricted. This simple step minimizes downtime.
3. Incorrect Heating Mode: Understanding READY vs. REST
Your hot tub has two primary heating modes: READY and REST (some tubs may display STANDARD for READY and ECONOMY for REST). Understanding when to use each mode can significantly impact your hot tub experience and energy consumption.
READY Mode (or STANDARD): Always Prepared
Running your hot tub in “Ready” mode ensures that the spa is always at your set temperature and ready for use at any time. The heater will activate as needed, even between scheduled filter cycles, to maintain your desired water temperature.
Example: In colder weather (e.g., -5°C outside), if you want your hot tub to consistently maintain a comfortable 39°C and be ready whenever you want to take a dip, “READY” mode is the preferred setting.
REST Mode (or ECONOMY): Heating During Filtration
In “Rest” mode, your hot tub will only heat the water during its programmed filtration cycles. Outside of these cycles, the heater will not engage. This means the water temperature will likely cool down between filtration periods and may not always be at your desired temperature when you want to use the tub. You may want to adjust your filter cycle to align with your typical usage times to ensure the water is heated when you’re most likely to use the tub.
Example: During warm summer months, when the ambient air temperature and direct sunlight can naturally heat the water, you might consider using “REST” mode. This can help prevent the water from overheating and potentially save energy.
By regularly checking these three key areas – water level, filter condition, and heating mode – you can often resolve common hot tub heating issues and keep your spa running smoothly. If you’ve addressed these points and are still experiencing problems, it may indicate a more complex issue requiring professional service. Don’t hesitate to contact our service team for further assistance. Enjoy your perfectly heated hot tub!
