A wood fired hot tub is a luxury item designed to provide all the benefits of a thermal spa but made from naturally renewable timber.
It looks and feels like a traditional hot tub with its water heated with fire or steam to the desired temperature, but you can also enjoy wood-fired hot tubs by using electricity or gas. It’s harder than traditional spas to maintain, though.
Wood-fired hot tubs are typically built in much smaller spaces than conventional models because their heat output is more limited and users need to be prepared for cold days and nights as well as summer heatwaves. There are many ways to heat the water in a hot tub, including conventional electric pumps, solar panels and charcoal briquettes. When buying a hot tub, look for those that have been built with timber in the design process.
How Many People can Use the Wood-Fired Hot Tub?
A wood-fired hot tub is designed for two people to relax and enjoy together. It won’t accommodate more than this number of users comfortably and you must be aware of your neighbors when using it. Local authorities can’t regulate these spas as they don’t fall under their jurisdiction, but you may want to check your local planning rules before installing one.
How to Buy a Wood-Fired Hot Tub?
The cost of building a wood-fired hot tub is more than many people would expect. The installation is relatively straightforward, but planning permission can be difficult to obtain. A traditional contractor will be able to provide it, but it’s not a job for the inexperienced DIY enthusiast. Most coats are constructed from pine or oak and costs range from £500 to around £4,000 for an elaborate design incorporating oak and pine. You should also factor in the cost of maintaining your new luxury hot tub.
You’ll probably want air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter, though you could decide against one if your climate is mild enough that you don’t need one.
Who Does the Work?
If you’re installing a hot tub, your local council can usually offer advice regarding building a house that is within their jurisdiction. Insulation is also an important factor to consider when installing your new hot tub, and council officials can also provide advice on that.
- Choosing the right installer for your wood-fired hot tub is not easy. You might need professional help with some aspects of the installation and check specialist websites for information about what to look for. If you decide to do it yourself, be sure to do plenty of research and ask around before taking the plunge into building a wood-fired hot tub at home.
- Once you’ve decided on the design and even given it a name, it’s time to order your materials. The essential piece of equipment is always the fire pit, and whether you have a small garden or a large one, having the right size fire pit for your hot tub will ensure that it heats to its optimum temperature.
- Wood-fired hot tubs are available from several manufacturers in different sizes and designs. Generally, wood-fired hot tubs are available in four sizes: small, medium, large, and extra-large. Some of these models have been specifically designed for spas and hot water heating units, although there are still ideal models for domestic use.
- A log burner typically heats Wood-fired hot tubs. The fire burns at the bottom of the unit, heating water that flows through a heat exchanger or water pump. However, some models use electric pumps to move the water through the system, and some run on propane gas. Models with electrical or propane heating systems work utilizing a pump with a blower underneath it to blow air over the burners. This pushes heat up through an opening in the bottom of the tub, which heats your spa water.
As the wood-fired hot tub uses logs, the installation procedure is straightforward and doesn’t require a highly experienced electrician or plumber. The one thing you will need to ensure is that your fire pit is positioned so that there are no combustible materials around it.
Conclusion
The wood-fired hot tub is ideal for people who want a natural way to heat the water in the bath. The logs used in the burners are easy to obtain and don’t require any special skills to install. However, you must get your measurements right to have an efficient heating system.
