What Is Spa Mode on Pool Heater?
A Spa is a place that offers a variety of treatments for relaxation and wellness. The Spa industry is booming, with an estimated 26 million people visiting Spas annually in the United States.
Some of the most popular treatments offered at Spas are facials, body scrubs, and massages.
There are many different types of Spas, with some specialized for specific treatments such as weight loss or anti-aging.
Spa mode on a pool heater is a setting that allows you to maintain the temperature of the pool at a constant level without fluctuating as temperatures change outside. In other words, setting your pool heater to Spa mode will not heat or cool as quickly and attentively as in regular mode.
In addition, you should use Spa mode with caution and never in conjunction with automatic timer settings (i.e., the automatic timer should remain turned off).
You can use Spa mode in the summer months so that the pool will not have to heat up as quickly in the morning and cause an extra spike in energy usage costs.
During winter, Spa mode boasts usage so that the pool water’s temperature will not fall as low as it would without “Spa mode” activated.
As an added benefit, if you have a pool heater that uses electricity for circulation, Spa mode will help keep the circulating water cooler because it’s only heating the swimming pool.
Spa mode will not keep the water warmer in other regions of your home, as you can accomplish this by simply increasing your thermostat settings.
Below are some exceptions to utilizing Spa mode.
1) You should never use Spa mode if you’re using an automatic timer, as in this case, your pool pump will be active too much of the time.
2) Using Spa mode with an automatic timer is a good practice if you have a pool pump (i.e., your pool heater does not have circulation).
3) You should only turn ON and OFF your pool heater when your pool is not in use.
4) If you use an automated program such as the “Go Program” from Montague, you should not use Spa mode.
How Does a Spa Work?
Water flows to the hot tub water pump from an outside source. The pump pumps the water through the filtration system and into the tub.
Once in the pool, a motor powers specific devices such as jets, lights, and heating elements. It also provides separate circulation for an ozone disinfection system that kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
After treatment by an ultraviolet light unit or Ozonator, it enters via a drain spout into a holding tank, where it’s drained or sent outside for filtration.
The water in the holding tank circulates to a cold-water heater-style pump which provides cold water to the tub.
The warm tub water is then pumped through filters and back into the holding tank. Once in the holding tank, a level sensor automatically causes valves to control when you can drain the tub or fill it with more hot water.
The filtration system uses a combination of mechanical filtration and chemical filtration. Filtering the water is crucial because it allows the water temperature to stay hot for a longer time.
You must clean the filters according to a regular schedule; otherwise, you will have to replace them more often. Some Spas use sand filters, while others use cartridges.
A sand filter may be preferable if the water is hard or mineral-rich. Cartridge filters are best for removing chemicals and bacteria.
Filters can also remove odors, most often done by circulating ozone through the water. The filter system must be chemically treated once a week to keep bacteria away and clean the water.
What Does Spa Mode Mean in Iaqualink?
It means running all your water features, such as jets, waterfalls, and air bubblers, along with any water pumps you might have, for five minutes, before switching to recirculating mode.
This gives the water a chance to fill up with oxygen, making it nice and brisk when you return. It also gives your tank time to catch its breath before reverting to normal mode.
You can either do this via the “Spa mode” switch on your tab or the touchscreen menu to configure your parameters.
The Spa mode feature has been available since the introduction of I-AquaLink. It enables users to run their Spas in recirculating mode while they are away from home or attending to other businesses.
The purpose is to allow water movement within the Spa and keep the water fresh. As a result, water that might have sat inside the Spa for a week or more will flow back to the main circulating system and, once again, oxygenated.
By using this feature, you can also save money on your water usage, as the amount of water used during this mode of operation is precisely the same as when your water features are running in normal mode.
Spa mode can lower overall maintenance costs if you are away from home for extended periods.
The other option is to configure Spa mode on the touch screen and use the “recirculate” button after returning home.
Doing this will allow the main pump to run for five minutes and switch automatically to recirculate mode.
Can You Heat Your Pool in Spa Mode?
Yes, But there are better ways to do things. If you turn on a hot tub/Spa and has a thermostat set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, that water will be 120 degrees at all times.
But suppose a person is taking regular dips in the water (especially with colder air temps). In that case, this can have the unintended side effect of turning off the heater for long periods or making it work overtime to keep up with demand.
| Procedure | Description |
| Set Spa Temperature | – The Temperature setting on a Spa controls the water’s surface temperature. |
| – The water in the Spa will heat to the set temperature and will maintain this level of heat as long as the Spa is running | |
| Turn On Bubble Jets | – Turn on bubble jets for a minute or two to break up any calcified deposits blocking water flow and form a calcium scale. When you turn off the bubbles, the white foam may remain in any location where there is scaling. |
| Turn Off the Spa | – Turn off the Spa and allow it to cool before turning the gas back on. |
| Turn the Gas Back On | – Set your heater back to the appropriate temperature setting |
| Reheat Spa Water in Bath Mode | – After you turn off your heater, fill your Spa with warm water from a faucet, bathtub, or hot tub. |
| Turn Off the Spa | – Your Spa is now ready to use, and you are ready to heat it back up in Spa mode. |
| Return To Bath Mode | – Return your Spa to bath mode, the temperature setting your Spa was at when you turned it off in Spa mode. |
| Set The Spa Back To Full Heat | – Once in full heat, set the temperature back to your typical setting or regular (full) heat parameter setting on your thermostat. |
How Long Does a Spa Take to Warm Up?
A Spa takes about 10 hours to heat to a safe temperature of 104°F. The heating process takes 4-6 hours.
For a Spa heater to be most efficient, it needs an additional 4-6 hours as a “heat soak.” Without this “heat soak” period, the heater will have uneven temperature zones,
And it will take longer for the hot water in one zone to reach another zone. This makes the Spa heater work much harder, so it will have a shorter lifespan. During this time, the pH also returns to normal levels
| Stage | Description |
| Initial Heating Stage | This first stage heats the water in the tank for about 2 hours. |
| Mid-Temperature Heating Stage | This heating stage takes around 4 hours to bring the water from its initial temperature to between 45 and 60 ˚C. It’s also this stage that’s most important for the disinfection of the Spa water, don’t use bleach or any other chemical treatments during this period. |
| Full Heating Stage | This stage takes around 6 hours to bring the water from 60 ˚C to 90 ˚C and is again mainly essential for disinfecting the water. It’s also the time that gives you the maximum therapeutic benefits of your treatment. |
| Cooling Stage | This stage becomes essential as soon as you arrive at your hotel room or wherever you’re staying before your treatment session. The water cools at a rate of approximately 0.5˚C per hour, so it should be at its lowest temperature before you get into it. |
Should I Leave My Pool Heat Pump On All The Time?
Yes! You should always leave your pool heat pump on. This is the most efficient way for it to operate and can help you save money ultimately.
It will also help prolong your pool season by making it easier to maintain a higher water temperature when there are dips in air temperatures.
You will also want to perform routine maintenance on your heater. Most heaters will require a tune-up once a year or every year, depending on the pool heat pump manufacturer.
Most people need to realize how often they should check their heat pump and can quickly go two or three years without ever doing so.
A few months without maintaining your unit will not cause damage, but prolonged periods without repair can lead to malfunction and possible breakdowns.
Remember, pool heaters work best when running at their highest output.
You want to ensure that your heater is operating at total capacity, as this will help ensure that you receive the most comprehensive heat from your pool heater.
In most cases, the maintenance for a pool heater run by well water temperature should be about the same as for a smaller electric unit.
The heat pump water temperature should always stay below 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a unit that can maintain a higher water temperature, make sure it’s never running at this point.
Can You Heat The Spa Without Heating The Pool?
Yes! You can heat the Spa separately from the pool, but it will be more expensive. There are two ways to heat the Spa. One is to use a Spa heater submerged in the water and one that operates on electricity.
The other is geothermal heating which circulates warm water from beneath the surface of the earth and heats up through pipes buried deep in your backyard or into an underground cistern already filled with geothermal water.
High-tech geothermal heat new systems will still be effective even though you can use low-tech Spa heaters. Hot water is indispensable to a Spa.
Even though it requires little power, it’s critical to use hot water because warm water makes the water softer and more enjoyable. It even helps your skin.
When planning for a geothermal system, remember that you need to pump and circulate warm water into the system.
This will require you to get an electric pump or well pump and some extra space in your yard or underground cistern for the water to flow.
Most geothermal pumps are about the same size as a garden hose, but you can get a large pump for increased capacity.
If you go with geothermal heating, ensure you install your system correctly.
For example, ensure that the lines are in an underground cistern to maintain proper temperature and pressure. Also, ensure the pump boasts protection from freezing in cold climates.
What Position Should My Pool Valves Be Set In?
Your pool valves should boast a setting as skimmer open, the main drain closed, and the diver valve closed. These valves should be set so that excess water can never flow out of the pool.
This not only protects you from losing water but also prevents the chemicals in your pool from escaping as well. Failure to properly close your valve will lead to leaks and drastically increase costs.
Sometimes, you need to remember to close the suitable valve. For this reason, setting them on an automatic timer is highly recommended.
You can set these timers to close and open your pool valves according to a schedule. You have to program in your desired settings, and you are all set.
Select the right type of timer; digital water timers are often a good choice because you can program them easily and they usually don’t require any additional tools (wiring tools).
The most important setting on your automatic timer is the setting that allows the valve to close. This setting is essential because it allows you to close your pool valves and prevent leaks in your pool.
To open your pool, you can set the timer for all the water out of the pool, including the skimmer and main drain.
For example, if you have a 30 ft. round pool and use a 48-hour program, your pool will be empty in about one day. After that, you can clean and refill it as you would after a regular week.
When closing the pool, the valves should automatically close simultaneously. This will trigger a pump to start circulating the chemicals through your pool.
This process is highly vital to treating your pool’s water properly.
How Can I Make My Spa Heat Faster?
| Feature | Description |
| Cover | Normalize putting on the Thermo cover with your daily routine. This helps you save time by doing it at a consistent time every day. |
| Burners | Remember the safety factor when trying to slow down the heating rate; always ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions with your products. You can also use an insulated cover to help slow the heating rate and conserve energy and money. |
| Water chemistry | Conduct tests on your water before you start heating. I recommend the use of a test kit to conduct a complete analysis. Testing your water will determine if you need any chemical adjustments before you begin your treatment. |
| Filters | Change filters as they require changing or turning the filter system off during off-peak hours in the evening and early morning. |
| Jets and heater | Turn off the heater and jets to prevent them from heating the water in your Spa. This will slow down the heating rate while you make changes or test your water. |
| Outside temperature | Ensure that the outside temperatures are within your Spa’s heating range before you begin to heat. You may need to adjust the set point or turn off your heater. |
| Maintenance | Keep your system clean and debris-free to avoid resistance in the tubing. If you have a filter, ensure it’s always clean and debris-free. |
Why Is My Spa Draining In Spa Mode?
Your Spa is draining in Spa mode because its suction valves are not adjusted correctly. You’ll want to replace the valves and clean them to fix this problem.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure your Spa is operating correctly before proceeding with any repairs.
If it doesn’t offer enough power to run its pump, try other remedies that might be available, such as a battery or solar-powered pump.
To replace your suction valve, follow these steps:
- Turn off the hot water faucet and remove the toiler’s lid. Turn on the pump. Remove any debris or hair clogging or blocking its flow by using a hose to drain or blow out the Spa pump (or try blowing air through it to clean it).
- Gently remove the suction valve by unscrewing its side panel and pulling it out of its housing.
- Remove the rubber gasket around the valve. This can be tricky because the gasket is usually stuck to the valve, and you will probably have to pry it off with a flathead screwdriver.
- Clean off the old O-ring with a degreaser and replace it with a new one.
- Put the new gasket around the valve, add a small bead of silicone adhesive around the edges, and put everything together.
To clean your suction valves, you can use warm or liquid dish soap to dispose of the gunk.
Conclusion
Spa mode is an excellent way of using your hot tub to its full potential. Apart from saving money, you’ll also be able to enjoy your Spa more frequently.
