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PREVENTION OF FREEZING
Your Hot Spring
®
spa has been designed and engineered for year-round use in any climate. In some areas, extremely cold temperatures (below
10°F) combined with strong wind, may cause partial freezing of the jet pump, even though the water inside the spa remains at the selected
temperature. The energy efficiency of the spa may also decrease during these cold periods, as the heater will cycle more frequently. To avoid
most problems associated with component freezing, the 24-hour continuous filtration system has been designed with bleed lines connecting the
jet pump(s) with the heating system. Since the heating system’s circulation pump runs continuously, cooler water in the heating and filtering
systems is continually being replaced by warm water from the spa. As an additional precaution against partial freezing of some of the
components, the equipment compartment can be insulated with an insulating kit (available from your Hot Spring dealer). This insulating kit will also
help to maximize the spa’s energy efficiency.
NOTE:
When warmer weather returns (approx. 60°-70°F), the insulating kit must be removed to prevent overheating of the jet pump.
Please contact your Hot Spring dealer for additional information, or to order the insulating kit.
WINTERIZING
In very cold weather you may not want to venture outside to use your spa. In this case, you may move it to a heated area, or leave it as is until the
weather warms. If you do leave the spa unused for a long period of time in severely cold weather, you should drain the spa to avoid accidental
freezing due to a power or equipment failure.
Your local authorized dealer can perform the following winterizing steps if you do not wish to attempt them yourself:
1. Disconnect the spa from the power supply by the appropriate method:
115 volt models:
Disconnect the power cord from the house receptacle, coil it and place it in the equipment compartment.
230 volt models:
Trip both of the GFCI breakers located in the subpanel.
2. Remove the screws from the equipment access door; remove the door completely (for 115 volt models only).
3. Locate the main drain valve and remove the drain cap. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve and route the outlet of the hose to an
appropriate draining area.
4. Open the valve and the spa will drain by gravitational flow.
5. Remove the threaded cap from the secondary drain. The remaining water (about 1 gallon) will drain from the bleedline system.
6. Remove the filter cartridges, then clean and store the cartridges in a dry place.
IMPORTANT:
The following additional instructions must be followed when draining and winterizing your spa in climates where the
temperature falls below 32°F (0°C). A five gallon combination wet/dry shop vac (capable of blowing air as well as vacuuming) must be used to
effectively remove water that is trapped inside the plumbing lines.
7. Attach the vacuum’s hose to the output (blower) side of the shop vac.
a) Remove the filter standpipes by turning them counterclockwise.
b) Place the end of the vacuum hose into one of the filter openings and cover the closest filter opening with a clean rag.
c) Turn on the blower and allow it to blow out any water remaining in the plumbing lines (should take approximately 3 to 5 minutes).
d) Turn the SmartJet
®
lever to the second position and allow that system to purge.
e) If your spa is equipped with more than two jet systems, each jet system must be purged.
f) Allow the blower to run for 3 to 5 minutes for each jet system in order to be sure the plumbing has been completely purged of any
remaining water.
g) Once no more water is being blown out of the jets, the blower can be turned off and the filter standpipes reinstalled.
NOTES:
• The standpipes may have a silicone sealant temporarily holding them in place and it may take firm pressure to get them to initially
break free.
• On spas equipped with two jet pumps, each jet pump system and SmartJet
®
system must be purged.
8. Attach the vacuum hose to the
vacuum side
of the shop vac.
NOTE:
When removing the water from jet openings, you may notice suction coming from another jet. With the help of a second person, block
off any suction from the other jet using a large rag. This will help pull out the water that is trapped deeper inside the main line.
a) Use the shop vac to pull any remaining water out of the filter compartment and Moto-Massage niche, if applicable (removal of the
faceplate may be necessary).
NOTE:
It will be necessary to cover the drain grate tightly with a rag when vacuuming the main drain and secondary freeze drain outlets to be
sure that all water has been drawn from the internal plumbing system.
b) Place the shop vac hose over the main drain outlet and allow it to draw any remaining water from the spa’s internal plumbing
(approximately 3 to 5 minutes).
Spa Care and Maintenance
