YOUR NEEDS

SELECT THE RIGHT SIZE

How many people will use the spa at one time? Will you have friends and neighbors over? Do you have kids who will use it?

DOES THE SPA FIT YOU?

• Try each seating position; not every seat in every spa will be right for you. The spa should feel comfortable. Spas with barrier-free seating let you move easily from one seat to another to experience the variety of jets. Bucket or contoured seats may restrict your ability to scrunch down or move around in the spa.
• Is there lumbar support for your back?
• Water depth should be just over your shoulders.
• Make sure the jets are in the right position for you, and that the pressure can be regulated. You should get a vigorous massage, not a painful one.
• Are there any obstructions that you could trip or stub your toes over?
• Does the spa have a cool-off bench? Great for kids or for just cooling off a bit.

WHERE WILL YOU PUT IT?

• The closer to your home it is, the more often you're likely to use it. Right off the master bedroom can be ideal.
• Consider the view you'll have (or your neighbors might have!).
• A spa cover lifter makes spa use a lot easier, but it needs some clearance (6 inches to 2 feet) to operate. It should open on a side other than the control panel.
• Spas are designed to operate at 110 or 220 volts. 110-volt spas are plug-in and need a 20-amp outlet. A 220-volt spa requires room in your electric panel to accommodate 50-amp service. It also requires a disconnect (or sub-panel); ask your dealer if this $200-300 item is included in the spa purchase price.
• Consider the access you have for spa delivery. Be prepared before you shop, and measure your narrowest access point, such as a gate. Spas are generally delivered on a dolly, on their side, but need some extra clearance for a trouble-free delivery.

OUTDOORS

• If you're placing your spa outdoors, consider a solid foundation such as a reinforced concrete pad. We do not recommend pea gravel or other stones, as the spa can eventually settle and become unlevel.
• If you will be building or remodeling a deck for the spa, be sure to contact your spa dealer early on to discuss delivery and spa placement. It's often much easier to build the deck around the spa, before a railing is added for example, than to deliver the spa to a finished deck.
• Before placing a spa on an existing deck, determine the deck's maximum load capacity. To do this, consult a qualified structural engineer or building contractor. Your spa dealer can give you the spa's filled weight (per square foot) with occupants.
• If you want to place a spa on an upper-level deck or in a backyard that is otherwise inaccessible, a crane delivery is often an easy and affordable solution.

INDOORS

• If you don't have outdoor space, consider a convenient indoor spa. But be aware of some special issues:
• Be sure the door or other opening is large enough to deliver the spa.
• Ventilation is crucial, as the spa will add to the room's humidity. An architect can help determine the level of ventilation needed. Without proper ventilation, dry rot and mildew can occur, or damage to exposed wood or wallpaper. Be sure the fan(s) you install are quiet and of high quality.
• Water will splash onto the floor, so non-slip footing and good drainage are essential. Avoid wood flooring or carpeting. Many owners find non-slip tile to be ideal.
• Be sure carpeting or other objects do not block the jet pump shroud vent which removes excessive heat from the equipment compartment.