Hot Tub Buyer's Information
by Belize ● the factory-direct to consumer spa manufacturer.

We've noticed quite a bit of hype in online spa sales these days.  Here we will try to clear up a few of the myths and mysteries.  You'll make a more informed hot tub purchase decision, regardless of where you buy.

MYTH: You can buy a $12,000 spa online for $3,000. FACT:  Although the retail "brick and mortar" profit is high, it's not that high. An online seller claiming such huge savings is misleading. You can save 20-30% by purchasing online, but be sure to buy from a reputable, honest dealer with a toll free customer service department-- one that will be around next year in case you need service, supplies or parts.

MYTH: The more jets, the better. FACT:  Unfortunately, this is the biggest hype in the business. Rather than compete on the basis of spa quality, service, and value, many online sellers try to outdo one another with the highest jet counts. Far more important than the number of jets is the type, quality, orientation, and plumbing. Some inferior brands load up their spas with dozens of tiny 59-cent jets just to make their numbers look good. Then they must add larger, energy-wasting motors to overcome this friction loss. Such spa designs prove to be very uncomfortable and inefficient, wasting up to $100 in electricity costs per month. Jetting should be engineered for hydrotherapy action, comfort & optimum energy efficiency, not mere numbers. Believe it, sitting in a spa seat and having your back assaulted by dozens of tiny jets can quickly become a painfully annoying experience. A properly engineered spa will provide vigorous, soothing hydro massage without dozens of useless extra jets. A good spa design will also provide "quiet zones" for people who just want to soak, unwind, and relax.

MYTH: The more horsepower, the better. FACT:  True in drag racing, but when it comes to spas, adding more and/or larger pump motors (to power dozens of useless extra jets) wastes huge amounts of energy. We've seen spas advertised online offering 7,10 and even 15 horsepower. Sounds impressive, until you get your first electric bill. Buy a spa with the perfectly balanced ratio of quality jets to horsepower for a much better value. Beware: HP ratings are not yet standardized in the spa industry, so some manufacturers will greatly exaggerate their ratings and/or use made-up terms like "MRHP" (market rated horsepower). We read it as "market rated hype", since some brands take a 1.5HP motor and call it 4HP, or a 2HP unit and label it  5HP. As an industry leader, Belize Spas is pushing to have hot tub HP ratings standardized, but it has been an uphill battle.

MYTH: There's not much difference in quality between brands. FACT:  The truth of the matter is that there is a vast difference in quality amongst various spa brands sold online. If a manufacturer loads up their models with extra useless jets and huge energy guzzling motors, they will have to cut corners elsewhere to keep their prices down. It's simply a fact of business economics. Instead of wasting money in these areas, Belize Spas is dedicated to building beautifully crafted spas with heavier fiberglass reinforcement, super-strong frames, ultra reliable electronic controls, energy-saving covers, insulation systems & pumps, and a quality assurance program second to none. Belize has been building spas longer than virtually any other brand sold online. Belize built their reputation on quality, and pioneered many energy-saving technologies.

MYTH:  An ozonator will keep the water sanitary. FACT:  Totally false. Ozone is a helper, and can oxidize some contaminants, but it will not replace spa sanitizers. If you've never owned a spa before, keep in mind that since the water is kept for 2 - 4 months, it is necessary to use a sanitizer system to keep it clear, clean, and odor-free, such as the Cleanwater Blue purifier system. If you buy your new spa, and the dealer does not include the necessary sanitizers and water balance chemicals, you'll be in for an unpleasant surprise... a special trip to the local spa store to buy the required items.

MYTH:  A powered air blower is a good thing. FACT:  A powered air blower is a very bad idea. Although popular years ago, most good manufactures have abandoned them. Blowers reappeared recently at some online sellers. Why? Again, they count the tiny air orifices as "jets" in their jet-count advertising. Air blower orifices can be sources of dangerous airborne mold and bacteria, since they can't be effectively sanitized by the treated spa water. Blowers also rapidly cool down the spa, wasting large amounts of reheating energy. They are also loud (sounding like a vacuum cleaner). Quality-engineered spas have air-induction jets which mix air and water in the desired ratio without the need for a separate blower motor. The best spa designs draw ambient waste heat from the motor cavity for this purpose, further saving energy dollars. Do yourself a favor: avoid spas with electric blowers.

MYTH:  Plastic spa cabinetry is better. FACT:  Some brands tout so-called "maintenance free" plastic or plastic-clad pressboard cabinetry. Their colored plastic looks somewhat like real wood from a distance, with the imitation wood-grain pattern, but plastic has several disadvantages. Appearance aside, plastic is a very poor insulator, with almost zero R-value. On the other hand, solid cedar has good insulation properties for both heat savings and noise reduction. Over time, some plastics can degrade from UV exposure, resulting in a white, chalky surface. Unlike wood, there's little you can do to restore plastic's appearance. Cedar is naturally durable, and under normal circumstances will last as long or longer than the spa itself. A 15 minute treatment with standard deck sealer every 3 - 4 years will preserve the natural great looks of genuine solid cedar cabinetry, so maintenance is a non-issue.

MYTH:  You don't need to see the warranty prior to purchase. FACT:  We've noticed that although other sellers vaguely mention their warranties in the fine print, they do not provide the actual warranty document for the buyer to review online. The warranty is extremely important. View Belize Hot Tubs Warranty.

MYTH:  Freight trucks are good for shipping spas. FACT:  Freight trucks are good for shipping canned corn, but if a dealer ships your spa via tractor-trailer truck, you may need 6-8 people to get the spa off of the truck. The driver will usually not be able or willing to help. Dangerous and frustrating. Good luck lining up that many friends to take day off of work for such a fun task. We use a quality moving company to deliver and off load the spa curbside. Why do some sellers still use freight trucks?  Its cheap for them (often about $350) and they may markup the delivery cost to the customer for more profits. Moving companies cost a little more, but are much less hassle for all parties and do a better job of getting the spa delivered painlessly and without damage.

MYTH:  You must wait a month or two for your spa to be built. FACT:  Many sellers do not stock the spas that they sell, and only have them built-to-order after they have your payment (6 to 8 weeks later). Save a lot of waiting-- buy your spa from factory-direct stocking dealer.