Initially, please note that owning a spa or a hot tub will be worth more to you than you'll ever know and if treated properly will deliver more benefits to you and your family than you can imagine for a very, very long time.

Like a swimming pool, safety first is the golden rule due to the risk of drowning. Investing in a locking cover will not only ensure children cannot fall into the tub but it will help to keep out the debris, thereby lengthening the life of the filters. Furthermore, the cover will act as a heat-keeper of sorts. By regularly placing the cover on the spa or hot tub when it’s not in use, the heat will be unable to escape making it much easier to maintain a balance in the water temperature.

The spas of today are far more energy efficient than they have ever been and what used to be expensive to heat now operates at a fraction of the cost. Another option of heating the water is to purchase one of the solar powered models. Because these tubs are heated by the sun's own power, the use of electricity is not needed and will not affect your energy bills whatsoever.

Spas are self-contained and once they have been filled with water, they will reuse that water until it is drained and refilled. However, it is important to keep the water clean in your spa. Water is pulled through a drain, then processed through the filter and eventually makes its way back into the tub. Thus, filters are vitally important to this process and must be maintained regularly which includes physically removing them and washing them with a hose until they are clean, on a weekly basis. If the filter doesn't seem to be getting clean, there are filter cleaners that can be used, but with weekly maintenance, that should not be needed. Filters do wear out in due course and a complete filter change every three to six months should keep your tub clean.

Even using the cover and filters, there are always particles that will end up in the tub, no matter how clean you are, and if not treated, they can cause harm. So, how do you deal with them? The spa will need chemical treatment which consists of chlorine tablets and an anti-foaming agent, both of which are designed to help extend the use of your spa or hot tub. If you reside in an area where the water is considered hard, it makes good sense to add an anti-scaling chemical which will help prevent the build up of calcium deposits which if allowed to continue, could permanently stain your tub.

Fortunately when you purchase one of these wonderful creations, there should be a guide or a manual included which will give you specific instructions relating to that particular spa or hot tub. If not then speak to the manufacturer who will probably be more than happy to advise you.