Enjoying your hot tub in winter: why it's one of the best seasons

When you imagine a hot tub installed in a garden or on a terrace, you easily think of sunny days, long summer evenings, and sunshine.

And yet…

Winter is probably one of the seasons when an outdoor hot tub makes the most sense.

The air is fresh, sometimes very cold, while you enjoy warm, enveloping water. Steam rises above the hot tub, the garden is calm, and the experience becomes completely different from that of summer.

An Aquavia Spa hot tub is specifically designed to be used all year round.

But enjoying your hot tub in winter requires some good habits, especially to maintain heat, control consumption, and properly protect the installation when temperatures drop.

At Provence Spa, here's what we recommend.

An outdoor hot tub is not just for summer

This is probably the first misconception to forget.

Unlike a traditional outdoor swimming pool, a hot tub is not primarily intended to cool you down.

Its water is heated and maintained at a specific temperature.

This allows you to enjoy your installation when outdoor temperatures start to drop, and even in the middle of winter.

And paradoxically, the cooler the outside air, the more pleasant the contrast with the hot water becomes.

It's an experience that summer simply cannot replicate.

What temperature for a hot tub in winter?

There is no single ideal temperature for everyone.

Many users enjoy water around 36 to 38 °C, but the setting should primarily match your comfort and the hot tub's usage recommendations.

It's not necessary to systematically aim for the maximum temperature.

A few degrees can make a real difference in the feeling... but also in the hot tub's energy requirements.

The most important thing is to find the temperature at which you truly feel good.

Should you lower the temperature between uses?

This is a very common question.

If you use your hot tub regularly, it's generally not worthwhile to let the water cool significantly after each session only to have to reheat it completely.

The hot tub is specifically designed to maintain a set temperature.

However, when anticipating a prolonged period without use, certain settings can be adjusted depending on the model, climate conditions, and duration of absence.

The goal is not to heat unnecessarily.

But you also shouldn't treat a hot tub like a bathtub that you only heat a few minutes before use.

In winter, insulation becomes essential

When the outside air is cold and the hot tub water is above 35 °C, the temperature difference can become significant.

It is precisely under these conditions that the quality of insulation makes all the difference.

A properly insulated hot tub limits heat loss and allows the heating system to more efficiently maintain the desired temperature.

Aquavia Spa offers various insulation solutions depending on the models and configurations, including EcoSpa and Nordic Insulation System.

These are elements we attach great importance to at Provence Spa.

Because when choosing a hot tub designed to stay outdoors all year round, you shouldn't only look at what's visible.

What's behind the cabinet also matters.

The thermal cover: essential in winter

Heat doesn't just escape through the hot tub walls.

A significant portion of heat loss can occur through the water's surface.

That's why a good thermal cover is essential, particularly during the colder months.

It specifically allows you to:

• limit heat loss;
• protect the water from external dirt;
• reduce evaporation;
• facilitate temperature maintenance.

Aquavia Spa offers covers designed to contribute to the overall thermal efficiency.

But they still need to be used correctly.

As soon as you've finished your session, put the cover back on.

Simple, but extremely important.

Does a hot tub consume more in winter?

Yes, all else being equal, heating requirements increase as the outdoor temperature decreases.

This is perfectly logical.

Maintaining warm water when it's cold outside requires more energy than in the middle of summer.

But actual consumption depends heavily on several factors:

• outside temperature;
• water temperature;
• insulation quality;
• thermal cover;
• wind exposure;
• frequency of use;
• hot tub settings.

This is why two hot tubs with a similar water volume can have different consumption depending on their design and installation.

We've even dedicated a full article on the Provence Spa blog to the actual electricity consumption of a hot tub.

Beware of the wind

This is a detail that can be very important.

A hot tub installed in a very wind-exposed location can lose more heat when its cover is open.

And for users, getting out of 37 °C water into a cold wind isn't necessarily the most pleasant part of the session. 😄

When the project allows, considering the hot tub's environment can therefore significantly improve comfort.

A wall, suitable vegetation, a pergola, or a well-thought-out design can help create a more protected space.

Without completely enclosing the hot tub.

Can you use your hot tub when it freezes?

A properly installed and maintained hot tub is specifically designed to handle low outdoor temperatures within the limits specified by its manufacturer.

The real danger arises more when water remains still in the pipes and can freeze.

And that's where you need to be particularly vigilant.

Frozen water expands in volume.

In a hydraulic circuit including pipes, fittings, pumps, and other components, the consequences can be significant.

That's why, during freezing periods, you don't simply turn off a hot tub filled with water, thinking you'll restart it a few weeks later.

Don't unplug your hot tub in the middle of winter without precautions

This is probably one of the most important pieces of advice in this article.

Your hot tub is full.

Negative temperatures are forecasted.

You're leaving for two weeks.

Don't just cut off its electrical power.

In normal operation, the hot tub ensures circulation, filtration, and temperature maintenance according to its settings.

If you completely shut down the system and the water cools to freezing point, the pipes and equipment can be exposed to significant damage.

If a hot tub truly needs to be shut down during a cold period, a proper winterization procedure may be necessary.

And that's not just about emptying the tub.

Is simply emptying the hot tub enough for winterization?

Not necessarily.

Even when the tub appears completely empty, water can remain in the pipes, pumps, and various elements of the hydraulic circuit.

It is precisely this residual water that can cause problems if it freezes.

Proper winterization must therefore be carried out correctly.

At Provence Spa, if you wish to completely shut down your hot tub for the winter in an area exposed to frost, we advise you to inquire about the appropriate procedure for your Aquavia Spa model rather than improvising.

Improper handling can cost much more than a few months of operation.

What if I'm only leaving for a few days?

In this case, the situation is different.

It's generally not necessary to empty the hot tub just because you're leaving for a week.

You mainly need to anticipate:

check the water, clean the filters if necessary, verify the settings, correctly replace the cover, and use the appropriate settings available on your equipment.

Depending on the hot tub and its configuration, different modes can adapt its operation during a period of less frequent use.

The goal is to find a properly maintained installation upon your return.

Maintenance also continues in winter

Because we sometimes use our garden less often in winter, we might tend to forget about the hot tub a little.

However, the water continues to be heated and filtered.

Therefore, it still needs to be maintained.

Continue to monitor:

the pH, disinfection, filters, and the general condition of the water.

The cover also doesn't exempt you from regularly checking the hot tub.

A periodic glance allows you to verify that everything is functioning normally.

Winter completely changes the hot tub experience

Beyond all these technical aspects, we must not forget the essential:

a hot tub is made to be used.

And winter offers quite an extraordinary atmosphere.

A cool evening.

The silent garden.

The cold air on your face.

The warm water around your body.

The steam rising above the hot tub.

It is precisely at these moments that you understand why an outdoor hot tub is not simply equipment intended for sunny days.

It becomes a true space of well-being usable throughout the seasons.

What about in the rain?

A light rain obviously doesn't prevent you from enjoying your outdoor hot tub.

Some users even particularly appreciate this atmosphere.

However, one must always remain attentive to weather conditions.

In case of a thunderstorm, leave the hot tub.

And if your region regularly experiences difficult weather conditions, a suitable setup around the hot tub can improve its use throughout the year.

Why Aquavia Spa is suitable for year-round use

The design of a hot tub intended to remain outdoors should not be conceived solely for summer days.

At Aquavia Spa, thermal management is an integral part of the design, with various insulation and cover solutions depending on the models.

This is an important point in our selection at Provence Spa.

A beautiful hot tub is pleasant on the day it's installed.

A well-designed hot tub must also remain pleasant to use when it's 5 °C outside.

And it is precisely then that insulation, the cover, and the overall quality of design become particularly important.

Our Provence Spa advice

If you own an outdoor hot tub, do not abandon it as soon as summer ends.

Continue to use it.

You might even discover that you prefer it in autumn and winter.

Just keep a few rules in mind:

maintain a reasonable temperature, always use your cover, continue to maintain the water, and never switch off a full hot tub during freezing weather without having planned for appropriate winterization.

And if you are going away for a long time or wish to completely shut down your hot tub for the winter, seek advice before taking action.

In summary

Yes, a hot tub can perfectly be used in winter.

And for many owners, it's even one of the most enjoyable times of the year.

Hot tub insulation, the quality of its cover, and some good habits allow you to enjoy warm water even when outdoor temperatures drop.

Aquavia Spa hot tubs are designed with this year-round use in mind.

So when the first cold days arrive, there's no need to put away your swimsuits.

Winter doesn't mark the end of the hot tub season. It simply creates a new one.