Hot Tub Parts

A quick guide to spa and hot tub parts

All hot tubs eventually break down. Just like cars, the frames of hot tubs and spas last a lot longer than their mechanical and electrical parts, so if you own a hot tub spa, a purchase of hot tub parts is somewhere in your future. To help you know what to look for when that time comes, we've put together this guide to spa parts and hot tub parts.

When to buy hot tub parts

For most hot tub spa owners, a purchase of hot tub parts will be prompted by a break down of some kind. The majority of spa breakdowns are caused by the pump, motor, heater, and filter hot tub parts. These spa parts are part of the mechanical and electrical systems.

If it has been seven to 10 years since any repairs were made on your spa or hot tub, we recommend purchasing an entire spa pack instead of individual hot tub parts. A spa pack usually consists of the major mechanical and electrical components of a hot tub's inner workings. These include a hot tub controller, hot tub blower, hot tub motor, hot tub pump, and hot tub heater.

Electronic spa packs vs. pneumatic spa packs

Hot tub packs can feature electronic controllers or pneumatic/air switch/electromechanical controllers. Older and less expensive hot tubs usually use pneumatic controllers. Electronic spa packs are more expensive, but electronic spa controllers offer greater programming control and diagnostic abilities in case of hot tub parts problems. Pneumatic controllers (pneumatic means operated by compressed air) use less expensive hot tub parts and are less inclined to break down.

Hot tub parts glossary

Spa packs

As mentioned above, spa packs contain the most important hot tub parts. The individual hot tub parts in a spa pack include:

Controller

Controllers or control boxes are the hot tub parts that operate the blower, heater, and pump. The circuit board is the primary component of a hot tub controller. If a circuit board breaks down, it's almost always best to replace the entire hot tub controller.

Blower

Blowers are the hot tub parts that add air to the water being pumped through the jets and create the bubbling water effect. For that reason they're also known as spa bubblers. Blowers are the exception to the spa pack hot tub parts rule: if the blower breaks down, it's usually best to replace only that individual hot tub part.

Pump

Pumps are the hot tub parts that circulate the water. They also happen to be the hot tub parts that most often break down. The pump is powered by a hot tub motor.

Heater

The hot tub heater is usually built into the controller. The heater is one of the hot tub parts most often replaced. Fortunately, a visual inspection is enough to tell if a heater needs replacing or if the controller should be inspected.

Ozonator

Ozonators or ozone generators are optional hot tub parts that improve water quality and remove bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants.

Filter system

Hot tub filter systems operate using either suction or pressure. Filter system hot tub parts seldom break down, but they do lose their effectiveness over time.

GFCI

All 220-volt above ground spas must have a GFCI, or ground fault circuit interrupter. These hot tub parts are critical to have, because they help to prevent electrical shock.

Hot tub covers

The wear a hot tub cover experiences will depend on climate and frequency of usage, but in general hot tub covers should be replaced every two to three years.

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