Why is my hot tub not heating or tripping the breaker?
A hot tub that is not heating, or keeps tripping the breaker, needs a few safe checks and then a call. Check the water temperature with an accurate thermometer and keep the cover on. Work on the circuit is for a licensed electrician. Under warranty, contact Good Hot Tubs, who arrange the rest.
Is the water really not heating?
Start with an accurate thermometer. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says a hot tub's thermostat can err by as much as four degrees Fahrenheit, so the number on the display may not match the water. Put a thermometer in the water and read it. Write down the reading and the time, so you can compare it with what the app shows.
The CPSC says hot tub water should never exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 40 degrees Celsius. It calls 100 degrees, about 38 degrees Celsius, safe for a healthy adult. Do not raise the setting past that limit while you troubleshoot. The CPSC also says people with a history of heart disease, circulatory problems, diabetes or blood pressure problems should get a doctor's advice before using a hot tub.
Is the cover on?
Keep the cover on while the tub heats. The King County public health hot tub guide, from Seattle and King County in Washington, says a floating cover reduces evaporation and helps keep the water temperature.
The One Model's Smartop Upright 3.0 hard cover is included. It does not absorb water, so it stays light and keeps holding the heat in.
Is the water level right?
The King County guide says not to operate the pump or heater unless the hot tub is filled to the recommended operating level.
If the water is low, add water before you look for another cause.
How does the One Model heat the water?
The One Model's water-maintenance pump does the filtration, the ozone, the salt sanitising and the heating, and it runs 24 hours a day. The Waterlab monitor in the plumbing reads pH, ORP and temperature. The app (Gecko in.touch 3) shows those readings on your phone, so you can check the temperature before you get in. You can see a change in the water temperature from your phone before you walk out to the tub.
Each week you also test the water with a strip. A change in the temperature reading on the app is a reason to run the checks above.
The tub needs a dedicated 240V circuit on 50 amps. Good Hot Tubs has not released the heater rating or the heat-up time yet.
What if the breaker keeps tripping?
Leave work on the circuit to a licensed electrician. Technical Safety BC says a permit is required before regulated electrical work starts, unless an exemption applies. It also says licensed contractors typically obtain the permits for the work they are hired to do.
Under warranty, contact Good Hot Tubs and tell the team what you have seen, and the team arranges the rest. Leave the electrical panel and the tub's wiring to the licensed electrician.
The One Model needs a dedicated 240V, 50-amp circuit, installed by a licensed electrician. On Vancouver Island, the electrical work usually costs $1,500 to $2,000. Technical Safety BC says that if you hire a licensed contractor, the contractor applies for the permit on your behalf, and that strata owners must hire a licensed contractor. If a breaker trips on a circuit someone installed, the person who installed it is the one to ask.
What should you tell Good Hot Tubs?
A short, accurate description helps the team get to the cause quickly. Have these ready when you contact the team.
- The water temperature on an accurate thermometer.
- The temperature the app shows.
- Whether the cover was on.
- Whether the water is at the recommended level.
- Whether a breaker has tripped, and when.
Who repairs the tub?
Under warranty, you contact Good Hot Tubs, and the team arranges the rest. Keep the thermometer reading, the time and the app reading together when you do. A local expert on the Island services the One Model, so you do not need to find a technician. Each year you book a check-up with your local expert.
Questions
Why is my hot tub not heating up?
Check the water with an accurate thermometer, keep the cover on, and make sure the water is at the recommended level. If it still does not heat, contact Good Hot Tubs.
Why is my hot tub tripping the breaker?
Leave it to a licensed electrician. The One Model needs a dedicated 240V, 50-amp circuit.
How long does a hot tub take to heat up?
Good Hot Tubs has not released the One Model's heat-up time yet. The Learning Hub entry on heat-up time covers what to plan for until then.
What is the safe maximum temperature for a hot tub?
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says never above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 40 degrees Celsius.
Can I check my hot tub's temperature from my phone?
On the One Model, the Waterlab monitor reads the temperature and the app, Gecko in.touch 3, shows it on your phone.
Sources
General facts on this page come from these public sources. Facts about the One Model come from Good Hot Tubs.
- CPSC Warns Of Hot Tub Temperatures. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
- Staying Happy and Healthy in Your Hot Tub, sixth edition (PDF). Public Health, Seattle and King County.
- Electrical Installation Permits. Technical Safety BC.
- Homeowner Electrical Permits. Technical Safety BC.
Related answers
Is the One Model right for you?
Ten questions about your home and how you would use a hot tub. You see your result before you give any contact details, and you can ask for a test soak on Vancouver Island when you send it.