The Magic of Salt Water Hot Tubs

Many of us love the ocean and for good reason. The sun, sand, and salt water combine to provide an unforgettable experience! You can now bring that salt water feeling to your backyard in your new salt water hot tub. Learn why it’s a great option in this article about the magic of salt water hot tubs.

If the idea of natural-feeling water, fewer chemicals, and simpler water care sounds good to you, then take a look at the benefits of salt water hot tubs.

What is a Salt Water Hot Tub?

First, let’s define the salt water hot tub.

Salt water hot tubs use special types of salt to keep the water fresh, clean, and free of harsh smells. You can’t simply dump a bunch of salt in the water and call it a salt water spa.

How Does a Salt Water Hot Tub Work?

Hot Spring Spas carefully engineered a patented salt water sanitization system (found in Highlife® and Limelight® Collections) to create a small but constant supply of chlorine.

A titanium salt cartridge generates chlorine when “energized” internal electrodes are combined with salt and water. The small amount of chlorine produced by this process is enough to keep your hot tub water constantly fresh and contaminant-free.

The bonus is avoiding a harsh smell or eye and skin irritation.

Instead of adding chemicals like chlorine or bromine to your water, you add salt (especially for hot tubs) that works with the FreshWater® Salt System to keep your water clean, fresh, and soft.

You get the best of both worlds: clean water without the smell or irritation of traditional chlorine-based water!

Are Salt Water Hot Tubs Chlorine-Free?

While salt water hot tubs produce less chlorine than traditional hot tub water systems, they are not completely chlorine-free. Salt water spas use small amounts of chlorine to sanitize and maintain balanced water for your hot tub.

Five Benefits of a Salt Water System

Here are the five best reasons to have a salt water spa:

• Irritant-free water. Salt water hot tubs are free from chloramines. These are a potentially irritating byproduct produced in hot tubs when chlorine interacts with ammonia or other substances. A salt water hot tub system is a perfect solution for chloramine-sensitive individuals, as it keeps the water constantly clean and free from harmful microorganisms while limiting exposure to chloramines.
• A soft, buoyant soaking experience. Salt water increases buoyancy. Many people find this especially conducive to relaxation in a hot tub. In addition, the water produced by a salt water sanitization system feels especially soft and gentle against the skin.
• Water that smells and feels better. Because salt water hot tubs use fewer chemicals and chlorine for sanitization, the water feels softer on your skin, smells fresher, and is less likely to irritate eyes and skin.
• Simplified maintenance. With unique sanitization technology that automates the balancing process, salt water hot tubs are easier to maintain than traditional spa water systems.
• Longer-lasting water. With traditional hot tub water care systems, owners generally must drain and refill their hot tubs every three or four months. While this process is relatively simple, changing the water can be time-consuming and tedious. Salt water sanitization systems can keep spa water clean for up to twelve months* before needing to be replaced. This is also great for the environment.

What is Maintenance Like?

While no hot tub is completely maintenance-free, the maintenance for salt water hot tubs is simpler than most traditional hot tubs.

Chlorine-based water care systems involve regular testing and monitoring to make sure pH levels are correct and chemicals are properly balanced. While most hot tub owners find it easy enough to follow a consistent schedule for water care and maintenance, salt water sanitization systems make the process even simpler.

After the initial setup, the system practically takes care of itself, constantly producing clean, pure water for months of continuous use.

Can Any Hot Tub Use Salt Water?

Not all hot tubs are manufactured to use a salt water system, as the sanitization process works differently than traditional hot tub systems.

The hot tub must have special parts that work together to maintain the water with salt instead of traditional spa chemicals. Hot Spring Spas offers several different salt-water-ready models, including the Highlife and Limelight Collections. You can find them at Townley Pool and Spa in Little Rock!

What’s My Next Step?

Now that you know the differences between salt and traditional water care systems, the next step is finding the perfect hot tub for your lifestyle and budget.

It’s important to note that salt water systems are not available for use with every brand or model of a hot tub. At Townley, the Highlife Collection and Limelight Collection spas are all compatible with the patented FreshWater Salt System.

Still have questions? We can help you decide if a salt water sanitization system is right for you.

*Many factors affect the life of spa water, such as bather load and water chemistry. When these factors are accounted for, and the spa is properly maintained, the FreshWater Salt System will keep the water clean and clear for up to a full year.