Hot tub in autumn and winter: how to prepare your hot tub

A hot tub is wonderful in every season, but for many people, the hot tub season really begins when temperatures start to drop. Fresh outdoor air, a dark evening and wonderfully warm water make the perfect combination. Autumn is therefore a great time to clean and inspect your hot tub and prepare it for winter.

Whether you have a wood-fired hot tub, electric hot tub, hot tub with biofuel heater, heat pump or hybrid hot tub: with proper maintenance and the right preparation, you can continue to enjoy your hot tub to the fullest during the colder months.

1. Start autumn with a clean hot tub

After the summer, it is a good idea to give your hot tub a thorough clean. Drain the water and clean the inside of the tub. While cleaning, also check the drain, connections, hoses and other components.

Do you use a filter system or cartridge filter? Clean it thoroughly and check whether the filter cartridge is still in good condition. Replace the filter if necessary. This way, you can start autumn with a clean system and fresh hot tub water.

Also check that you have enough water care products in stock. Proper water maintenance is especially important if you want to keep using the same hot tub water for a longer period of time.

2. Check your hot tub heater and technical components

Autumn is also a good time to check the technical components of your hot tub. Which parts require attention depends on the type of hot tub you have.

Do you have a wood-fired hot tub? Remove any ash residue from the wood-burning heater and check the heater and flue. This ensures that you are ready for the first cold evening.

For a hot tub with a heat pump, biofuel heater or hybrid heating system, it is advisable to check the connections, hoses, filters and pumps. Make sure everything is working properly and always follow the instructions for the specific system when it comes to maintenance and winter use.

3. Protect your hot tub from leaves and dirt

In autumn, falling leaves, rain and wind can cause your hot tub water to become dirty more quickly. Therefore, use a well-fitting hot tub cover when the hot tub is not in use.

A cover not only helps keep leaves and other debris out of the water, but also reduces heat loss. This is especially beneficial during colder days.

Also regularly remove leaves from around the hot tub and make sure rainwater can drain away properly. This will help keep the area around your hot tub clean and tidy throughout the autumn and winter months.

4. Hot tub and frost: prevent freezing

As soon as temperatures drop below freezing, your hot tub requires extra attention. Water expands when it freezes. Any water left in pipes, hoses, pumps, filters or other components can therefore cause damage.

Are you planning to continue using your hot tub during the winter? Make sure the system remains in operation according to the instructions and regularly check that everything is functioning properly during freezing temperatures. The measures required depend on the type of hot tub and heating system.

Does your electric hot tub have a special winter or frost protection mode? Use it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For example, the water can be kept at a low temperature and circulated periodically to help prevent freezing.

A wood-fired hot tub requires extra attention when temperatures drop below freezing. During prolonged or severe frost, do not leave water in the system unless it is properly protected against freezing.

5. What if you don’t use your hot tub in winter?

Are you planning not to use your hot tub for an extended period of time? Then it is important to prepare it properly for winter.

Simply draining the tub is not always enough. Make sure that no water remains in components that could freeze, such as pipes, hoses, filters, filter pumps and other connections.

Removable components that are not frost-resistant should be cleaned, dried and stored in a frost-free place. Always check the specific instructions for your hot tub and its equipment.

This will reduce the risk of frost damage and ensure that your hot tub is ready when you want to use it again.

6. A hot tub with a heat pump in autumn and winter

A hot tub with a heat pump offers plenty of convenience when you want to keep the water at a comfortable temperature for a longer period of time. Instead of reheating the water completely before each use, you can use the heat pump to heat the water efficiently and maintain the desired temperature.

The efficiency of a heat pump depends, among other things, on the outdoor temperature. Therefore, always check the temperature range for which your heat pump is suitable.

A well-insulated cover is especially important. By covering the hot tub when it is not in use, you reduce heat loss and the system does not have to work as hard to keep the water warm.

View hot tubs with a heat pump

7. Hybrid hot tub: combining a wood-fired heater and heat pump

Do you want to heat the water quickly and then easily maintain the desired temperature? A hybrid hot tub offers the best of both heating methods.

You can use the wood-fired heater to quickly bring the water up to temperature. The heat pump can then maintain the water temperature efficiently. You can also use both systems independently.

This makes a hybrid hot tub an attractive option if you want to use your hot tub regularly during autumn and winter. You can enjoy the atmosphere and rapid heating of a wood-fired heater, combined with the convenience of a heat pump.

View our hybrid hot tubs 

8. How warm should a hot tub be in winter?

When it is cold outside, warm hot tub water is of course especially enjoyable. A water temperature of around 38°C is often considered comfortable on colder days.

Use a thermometer to keep a close eye on the temperature while heating the water. With electric hot tubs and other systems with a digital control panel, you can often check the current water temperature directly on the display.

Ultimately, the ideal temperature is a matter of personal preference. Most importantly, make sure the water does not become unnecessarily hot and always follow the operating instructions for your hot tub.

9. Keep your hot tub water clean

Good water maintenance remains important during winter. In fact, if you use your hot tub regularly and want to keep the same water for a longer period of time, filtration and water treatment become even more important.

With a suitable filter system and the right water treatment, you can keep your hot tub water clean for longer. Clean the filters regularly and replace the filter cartridges when necessary.

How often the water needs to be completely replaced depends on factors such as the type of hot tub, the water treatment and filtration system used, and how frequently the hot tub is used.

Enjoy your hot tub all year round

There is certainly no need to put your hot tub away once summer is over. Autumn and winter are actually wonderful seasons to enjoy outdoor wellness. As the temperature outside drops, you can step into wonderfully warm water in your own garden.

By thoroughly cleaning your hot tub in autumn, checking the technical components and taking precautions against frost, you will be well prepared for the colder months.

At TICRA Outdoor, you will find a wide range of hot tubs, including wood-fired hot tubs, electric hot tubs, hot tubs with a heat pump, biofuel heater and hybrid hot tubs. We also offer filters, covers, water care products and other hot tub accessories. 

Do you have questions about preparing your hot tub for winter, or would you like to know which hot tub best suits your needs? Our specialists will be happy to provide you with personal advice.

Already firing up the hot tub?