Based on the naturally heated springs that can be found in Yosemite and other locations, hot tubs became common in homes all over in America in the early 1980s. Since then, engineering advancements and computerized circuit boards have allowed hot tubs to evolve dramatically. Today’s hot tubs have more in common with laptops and automobiles than they do with the original wooden boxes lined with fiberglass that folks over 30 years of age may remember. A heater is essentially the engine of the entire hot tub and needs to be in proper working order at all times in order to ensure an enjoyable hot tub experience. Here are some possible occurrences that could very well be symptoms a new hot tub heater is needed.

Water Won’t Heat Up

The most common and easily recognizable symptom of a faulty or old hot tub heater is the simple fact that the water will not become warm. People with broken heaters sometimes fool themselves into believing that a heater is slowly heating the water around them, when in fact it is their own internal body temperature of 98.6 degrees that is slowly performing that task. Hot tub heaters should typically be left on 24-hours-a-day in most regions of the country, but in the event that a heater is turned on prior to each usage, no more than 30 minutes should be needed before the water is comfortable and toasty. If the water does not heat noticeably after an hour, then a problem with the heater is very likely.

Pump Is Not Doing Its Job

Pumps are designed to work hard, but they certainly wear down and lose their effectiveness over the years. By simply placing a hand in front of the pump when it is turned up to its highest level, a diagnosis can be made. If the pressure is noticeably less than in past years, a new heater may be needed.

Faulty Electronics

The vast majority of heating units are built with a primary and an alternate circuit breaker. The primary breaker controls the pumps and all of the variations in speeds and pressure, while the alternative breaker controls visual readings, such as the temperature gauge. An error or loose circuit within one of these control boards can make a heating unit completely ineffective, as it is not being fed the proper information to do its job. If the temperature on the tub reads 98 degrees but dipping a hand into the water reveals that it is a lot closer to 70, a problem likely exists.