Buying a Spa Pump
Whether you are buying a spa pump for the first time or looking for a replacement for the pump in your hot tub that has began making unwanted noises, you will need to consider a few things before deciding which of the various brands and models to choose.
One of these is the pump’s horsepower. The strength of the water pressure from the jets depends largely on this. If you like a strong water massage, go for higher levels. This does not mean, however, that you can simply opt for a 2 or even 5 HP pump and install it in your tub. You will need to verify if these pumps are compatible with your control and electrical systems. Pumps with higher horsepower ratings have a bigger power draw and it might require a re-wiring of your electrical systems.
The spa pump speed should also be considered. Most pumps have two rates of speed, the higher of which is usually set when using the tub for water massage while the lower is set to circulate the water forcing it through the filter and other devices to keep it clean. The speed is also determined by the water capacity of the tub. The rule of thumb is that water in the spa should be turned over every 30 minutes.
Pumps can either run on 115 or 220 volts of electricity. Find out which of these your electrical outlet delivers and choose your pump accordingly.
If you are purchasing a pump to replace an old one, check if the latter has a center or a left side discharge. Buy one of the same configuration so you will not need to rearrange your water pipes. Relative to this, check also the sizes of your pipes. Be sure to buy a spa pump whose inflow and outflow ports match those of your pipes.