The Oakboro X

As every installation situation is different, it’s impossible to predict exactly what your running costs will be. This is because there are lots of different factors that affect running costs (regularity of use, ambient temperatures, electrical tariff, location of the hot tub, etc). You may see claims from some companies of “90p per day” but this is likely being calculated purely on just the cost of keeping the water hot, without considering initial start-ups and running any of the jet pumps. This can be a little misleading because if you want to use the hot tub your running costs will obviously exceed this and is impossible to determine the exact cost without knowing how often the hot tub will be used.

We find that the vast majority of hot tubs are installed in residential gardens that offer a reasonable level of shelter with occasional to moderate use. This can mean your weekly running cost can be anywhere between £15-£20 per week dependent on usage and other factors as described above. These projected figures could go up or down based on regularity of use. We are continually developing our hot tubs to be as cost efficient as possible.

Please note that as standard our hot tubs also come with a luxury lockable cover to provide maximum insulation. This is one of the biggest factors that can affect running costs.

A 13 amp hot tub (also know as ‘plug and play’) can be ran from a standard 13 amp plug socket. This means you don’t need an external electrical point installing with an armoured cable etc. You can literally just ‘plug in’ and you’re away. However, please be cautious as we would never recommend using an extension cable anywhere near water for obvious reasons! Instead, consider having a socket routed externally from an internal socket and armoured cables used for safety.

A 32 amp hot tub, as the name suggests requires a 32amp external power supply. This will usually have to be installed by a qualified electrician prior to ordering your hot tub. This cost could vary anywhere between £300 - £700 for the installation.

A 13 amp hot tub is therefore cheaper than a 32 amp option as they do not offer the same level of power. A 13amp tub will only have enough power for one pump, whereas a 32 amp can have power enough for two or more.

A limitation of the 13 amp option is that the heater cannot run when the pump is on. This means that when the jets are on the hot tub will stop heating.

This is relevant because around 60% of the heat in a hot tub is lost through the surface of the water ie. when the cover is off and you are using the hot tub. However, this shouldn’t be a problem unless you are in the hot tub for an extended period of time (2-3 hours). It take a long time for the water to cool down if a hot tub is well insulated.

So you can see, there is a slight saving to be made with the 13 amp option, and it is up to you to decide which is best for your needs. Generally speaking, for the slight price increase most customers opt for the 32 amp option, which gives the ultimate spa experience.

Chemicals are the only essential extra thing that you need to buy when purchasing a hot tub. We recommend using our starter chemical pack as they are designed to protect your hot tub and they include easy to use instructions.

We also have a range of spa accessories available, from testing strips and filters to cover lifters.

Yes! Please visit our finance page for more information.

We believe that only the customer can truly answer this question. When you use your hot tub regularly and thoroughly enjoy its intended benefits, it would surely be considered a worthy investment. We find many customers end up discovering new benefits they did not expect from their hot tub, but ultimately the decision to purchase should not be taken lightly.

Yes, you should leave your hot tub on all of the time. Hot tubs are designed to always be switched on and it's more economical to keep the water hot than it is to heat it up from cold each time you want to use it.

Whilst all hot tubs will have running costs regardless, there are some simple and easy steps you can take to ensure you keep your running costs to a minimum:

• Ensure your cover is well fitted and in good condition.
• Keep the tub running constantly at a lower temperature. Hot tubs are designed to be switched on and it’s more economical to keep the water hot than to heat it up from cold each time you want to use it.
• Clean and replace the filter regularly.
• Install the hot tub in a sheltered environment if possible (the more exposed the harder the tub will work to heat the water up).
• Check you are on the best electricity tariff regularly.
• Close the air jets when you aren’t using the hot tub.

A smooth, flat, structurally sound, level, even surface that is capable of uniformly supporting the entire filled weight of your new hot tub plus the weight of the users. A filled spa can weigh a great deal. Make certain that the location you choose can support the weight of your filled spa.

You need to consider having a power supply that is close enough, but also far enough away so that water cannot splash into the socket. Allowing water into the equipment compartment can damage the electronics, or may result in tripping your house’s circuit breaker or RCD.

Leave yourself easy access to all circuit breakers and RCD’s. Also, leave access to at least the entire front of the spa (the removable panels provide access to the spa’s equipment) for periodic spa care and maintenance.

Also consider your surroundings: placing your spa near a wind break such as a fence will help to reduce wind exposure, helping it to retain more heat and in turn help to reduce your running costs. You should also consider where you will drain the water when required.

Most of our hot tubs require a dedicated 32 Amp power supply, with RCD circuit breaker and isolator switch connected with steel wire armoured cable. In addition, a solid base for the hot tub is required – ideally this would be concrete, but a level patio or suitably constructed deck would also accommodate the spa. It is also important if you are having our installation service that there is good access to your hot tub site for our engineer team to get the hot tub through.

You will not need to prepare a plumbed in water supply for our hot tubs. As domestic spas, they are intended to be filled simply from a hose pipe into the filter compartment.

All GFD hot tubs include free UK mainland delivery and installation.

All off-mainland purchases need to be organised with an independent courier for separate delivery – free delivery does not cover independent courier charges.

For outdoor installation, first, obtain the dimensions of the hot tub you have ordered from us. You will need to consider the spa will be delivered on its side on a spa sledge.

Make sure there is 3cm either side of the hot tub for access to your chosen location, making sure there are no major obstacles blocking the runway.

Steps can also be an issue as hot tubs are heavy bulky items that can be very difficult to transport up steps. Complying to health and safety regulations, steps will be assessed by delivery & instalment team. If height is acceptable, extra assistance by several fit, able bodied people will be needed in the event of needing to get a hot tub up several steps.

For indoor installation, be aware of some special requirements if you place your spa indoors. Water will accumulate around the spa, so flooring materials must provide a good grip when wet. Proper drainage is essential to prevent a build-up of water around the spa. When building a new room for the spa, it is recommended that a floor drain be installed.

The humidity will naturally increase with the spa installed. Water may get into woodwork and produce dry-rot, mildew, or other problems. Check for airborne moisture’s effects on exposed wood, paper, etc. in the room. To minimise these effects, it is best to provide plenty of ventilation access.

All Blue Whale Spa Hot Tubs include free UK mainland delivery and installation. The below is all included in our price:

• Upgrade to Comprehensive delivery Service: £199. Includes:
• Placement and connection
• Packaging Removal and disposal
• Chemical Talk
• Filling and start up
• Full Demo and instructions
• Saturday Delivery: £200 extra.
• No Sunday Delivery.

Please note we can arrange a Saturday delivery for an additional £200 plus VAT. Please get in touch with us before placing your order to arrange this. Unfortunately, we cannot offer Sunday deliveries.

Included in the price of your hot tub is our “Delivered and Installed” service which includes delivery, positioning, wiring into the control box and your pre-installed isolation switch.

Once installed our team fill up your hot tub with water, commission and test everything, give you a detailed chemical talk, basic instructions on maintenance and feature and function demonstrations. This is a service that many companies either do not offer or would charge you extra for.

All deliveries are carried out by our own team of directly employed, highly skilled and experienced engineers.

We regularly keep our hot tub models in stock in our warehouse in Nottingham so most often delivery lead-in times are purely based on our delivery schedule and staff availability. This means delivery can usually be as soon as a matter of days from the order date, if needed. If you don’t need your spa delivering until a certain time, please call us when placing your order.

GFD have a partnership with the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of hot tubs. With a multitude of awards and thousands of happy hot tub customers, we are proud to offer our customer’s the ultimate luxury hot tub solution and aftercare.

Our manufacturer have production facilities in the UK, China and USA. Much of the product design and development is done right here in the UK, and all delivery and installation work is carried out by the manufacturer direct. This means you have a hands on service for your peace of mind.

Filling your hot tub with a safe water level.

Using your garden hose, fill the hot tub through the filter compartment to avoid as much as possible the chance of an airlock.

Fill the tub until the water level is between the highest jet in the seats and the bottom of the headrests.

You may find that if several people enter the tub that the water level will rise to more than half way up the headrests which some people may find uncomfortable and difficult to keep their heads above the waterline, if this is the case you should drain some of the water until the water level, with people in the tub, is at the bottom of the headrests again.

The GFD range hot tubs are very easy to maintain and are all supplied with an owner’s manual with maintenance instructions to help you get the best from your purchase.

All our spas are fitted with an internal RCD (residual-current device). It is a safety cut-out device that will activate if water comes into contact with the electrical supply to your spa

The first is very important; shower before you get in. Your body will have substances on it that will contaminate hot tub water. These include sweat, soap, perfume, shampoo, deodorant, and your swim wear can contain traces of detergent and fabric softener. If you make sure to wash them off before you get in, the hot tub remains cleaner for much longer.

The more contaminated the water becomes because of what you introduce to the water, the harder the hot tub must work to be sure it is clean. More chlorine must be added to be sure the water is clean and safe and the hot tub’s pumps and filters will have to work hard to remove these contaminates in the water. Because of this, avoid using fake tan as it dissolves into the tub water and easily can stain the shell and filters. Your swimwear only should be rinse washed without detergent. If your hot tub foaming, you will need to use anti foam, which reduces foam that can occur when incorrect cleaning products or excessive algaecide, hair products or make up, false tan creams or skin conditioners get into the water in your tub. Simply pour a cap full of anti foam around the edges of your tub and watch the foam disappear.

If you use your hot tub every day, consider using a water clarifier to help clean the hot tub of all the soaps, gels, lotions that you and/or your friends, family cannot prevent getting into the spa. A specifically formulated surface cleaner removes any build-up of dirt that may occur around the waterline. Use it on a weekly basis.

Use test strips to measure the chemical level of your water. Dip the testing strip in your water and compare the colour of the pads on the strip to the coloured squares on the testing strip container. If the coloured pad is the same as the square patch on the container you do not need to add any chemicals. If they are different, you need to adjust your hot tubs’ chemical level, add small amounts of chemicals to the water, re-testing each time until the coloured pads match the squares on the container. Wait about 5 minutes between retests and make sure your hot tub water is running when you add chemicals, because it needs to mix in the water well.

Your hot tub water needs to be treated with certain chemicals to maintain its cleanliness and needs to regularly clean the cover and filter. Regardless of how often or long you plan to use your spa, it is essential to treat the water in your Blue Whale Spa hot tub. If you left your spa water without any treatment, it would soon become uncomfortable, unclean and potentially dangerous even just to passers-by.

Chemicals are a highly effective way to treat your hot tub, as they eliminate any harmful bacteria that can grow in warm water.

It is easier than you think to make your water last for over 3 months even with every day usage. Your hot tub water needs to be treated with certain chemicals to maintain its cleanliness and needs to regularly clean the cover and filter.

Chlorine is a sanitiser, and can be used in a granule form. The granules dissolve into the tub water and it can be used to boost chlorine levels quickly. This is essential to keep your water clean and prolong the life of the hot tub.

Some people with sensitive skin do not take well to chlorine, so we do offer bromine as an alternative cleaning solution. If you have had issues with chlorine in the past, then consider bromine as an alternative.

A hot tub can last anywhere from 5-25 years, depending mainly on the maintenance and quality of the product. Cheaper hot tubs made with lower quality materials won't last long, and this is unfortunately a product in which you \‘get what you pay for\’.

Much like a car, maintenance is the biggest factor for how long your hot tub will last. If those hot tubs are not well maintained, they may not last more than 5 years. Quality hot tubs such as ours that receive excellent care can be enjoyed easily for well over 20 years.