It may not seem like the best time to enjoy Smith Mountain Lake’s water activities in the dead of winter, but there are other ways to enjoy the water in cold weather. The article below brings up one of those ways that you can stay warm and still enjoy the waves.
Hot Fun In The Wintertime
By Lori Wolak
When we first got our hot tub, we didn’t even think about whether we would use it year-round. The cost of the tub was such that we were concerned about getting the best return on our investment. This is especially true since the tub is at the lake house, and we are only there part-time. So it was clear we would use it year-round.
Four seasons of enjoyment
On a chilly winter’s night when our toes have been numb for hours, nothing beats a hot soak in the tub! If there’s snow on the ground, it only adds to the enjoyment as the steam rises off the warm water, and we look out at the beauty of the snow-covered landscape. For many of us, the pleasure of winter hot tubing is eagerly anticipated every year. So, before you decide to winterize your tub, think about enjoying it all winter.
Some people choose to close their hot tubs for the summer months. A friend from Michigan closes his tub in May and re-opens it in October every year. He reasoned that it was not a lot of fun to sit in a tub of hot water when you had been out in the heat all day and that the mosquitoes tended to dive-bomb them in the tub on summer evenings. The mosquito problem can be less severe in other parts of the country. We do set the temperature a few degrees lower than normal for the summer months. We do not want or enjoy the deep heating effect when we have just been through a 100-degree day. After a day of hard work around the yard or a full day of wakeboarding, our muscles do appreciate the therapeutic effect of the hot tub.
Why Does it Work?
Hot tub therapy works by relieving the body’s natural pressure from gravity. It also stimulates the nerves and circulatory system. By adding movement and air bubbles to the hot water, nerve impulses are created that enhance the body’s immune system, and increase circulation and digestion.
Hot tub therapy also helps relieve pain from arthritis, rheumatism, painful joints, varicose veins, and other muscle and back pains. Not only does it feel great, but it is also actually good for you! For those of us with less than wonderful circulation, bringing that warmth to our extremities in the winter is almost miraculous.
The Right Location
A hot tub under the stars at night is a great experience. A hot tub under a second-story deck is also a great experience, especially when it is raining outside. My brother suggested we attach a waterproof canopy to the underside of our deck. It keeps the cold water from rain or snow from hitting us while we are enjoying soaking up the heat in the winter. My brother recommends using corrugated plastic suspended at an angle to accomplish this, but we’ve found that heavy plastic draped at a slight angle can be effective as well.
Niceties
We like to add a little candlelight to the hot tub experience at night. The soft glow adds to the warmth of the experience. Also, make sure you have a nice fluffy robe and some slip-on shoes handy for your exit from the tub. I put a few hooks on a nearby post to hang robes.
Precautions
If your spa is equipped with a freeze protection system, make sure it is activated and that the heat settings are set higher than the minimum. If you have a timer/auto heat mode selector, make sure it is set to auto heat mode to protect the pipes from freezing. If you do not have freeze protection, set your timer switch to cycle on at frequent intervals. In very cold areas, it may be necessary to cycle for at least 15 minutes every hour. Additional run time is important in very cold weather, around 0°F.
Check your water temperature frequently to make sure the heater is functioning properly. If you use your spa frequently, it uses less energy to maintain a constant temperature, than it would to let it cool down and then heat up frequently. It is best to maintain a constant high temperature.
Running the air jets in the winter will greatly increase energy consumption from the injection of cold air into the water. If you do use your jets in the winter, make sure they are in the off position when you close them up. Keep an eye on the water level, especially if you do not use your spa every day. If your tub loses too much water, the pump will shut down, the water will not circulate, the heater will not run, and your tub could freeze.
Safety First
As always, use hot tubs with caution! Hot tub safety includes consideration of the heat. Prolonged soaking in a hot tub at temperatures above 104° Fahrenheit (40° Celsius) can be a safety hazard, as it can dehydrate, scald, or cause elevated body temperatures. Most public hot tubs recommend only 15 minutes for healthy adults and many do not allow children under 12 years of age. Most health professionals do not recommend that pregnant women or people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease use a hot tub.
Thanks again to Lori Wolak and The Lake Channel for this article.
Comments 2
You mentioned hanging some hooks nearby for robes…have you ever thought of installing a towel warmer? They’re available in both electronic and hydronic versions, and are useful for so much more than warming towels. They can also warm your robe and dry wet bathing suits. People have also installed them in their front or “mud” rooms to help dry scarves, gloves, and hats from snow or rain.
The hot tub, of course, is the main focus, while the towel warmer is just a nice extra. It can, however, be enjoyable to exit a dip in your hot tub and surround yourself with the warmth of your fluffy robe. 🙂 Either way, enjoy your hot tub in good health – it’ll help you with that too!
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