Keeping Your Hot Tub Cool This Summer — Tips for Metro Vancouver Hot Tub Owners

Summer is here, and with it comes the warm weather — and occasionally the intense heat waves — that the Lower Mainland experiences from time to time. While our summers are generally mild compared to much of North America, prolonged warm spells can affect your hot tub water temperature in ways that might surprise you.

Here is our annual reminder of tips for keeping your water at a comfortable temperature so you can continue to benefit from hydrotherapy, pain relief, and relaxation all summer long.

Why Does My Water Feel Hotter Than My Thermostat Setting?

Jacuzzi and Sundance spas are exceptionally well insulated — which is great for energy efficiency in the cooler months, but it means that during warm weather your water temperature can rise above your thermostat setting. On hot days, the ambient temperature alone can push your water warmer than expected.

Here are some tips and reminders for summer:

1. Keep Your Thermostat Set Appropriately — Avoid “Summer Logic”

Be sure to keep your thermostat set to at least 37°C (99°F). This helps prevent a safety feature called “Summer Logic” from triggering. Summer Logic activates when there is a significant difference between your thermostat setting and the actual water temperature. For example, if you set your temperature to 29°C (85°F) but the actual water temperature rises to 40°C (104°F) due to warm weather, the system will shut down as a precaution. If your spa has a circulation pump, it will turn off automatically to avoid adding further heat to the water. As noted in your owner’s manual, your spa will continue to run through its mandatory 3-hour filtration cycles even if Summer Logic kicks in.

2. Vent Your Cover

Place foam blocks under your cover on each side at the fold. This allows warm air to circulate out from under the cover while still keeping the cover in place and locked. Ask us in-store if you need a set.

3. Open the Cover in the Evening or Morning

When you can, open your cover completely during the cooler parts of the day — early morning or evening — and let your waterfall run. The waterfall operates off the circulation pump and helps aerate the water and release heat without adding extra warmth the way jets would. A few important reminders:

• Always close and lock your cover before going to bed or leaving your home.
• Do not leave the acrylic shell exposed to direct sun for extended periods.
• When you close the cover again, be sure to vent it as described above.
• Your cover should always be closed and locked when not in use. This prevents wind damage and keeps unsupervised children and others safely out.

4. Run Your Waterfall

When your cover is open, let the waterfall run. Operating off your circulation pump, it aerates the water and helps dissipate heat without adding warmth the way the jets would.

5. Tips for Cooling the Water — and Yourself

• Frozen milk jugs: Fill a couple of empty 4-litre (1-gallon) milk jugs with water and freeze them. Place them in your spa for a few minutes before your soak — they will bring the temperature down noticeably. You can also keep them near you in the water for a cooler feel. Return them to the freezer after use so they’re ready next time.
• Frozen towel: Wet a hand towel and freeze it. Bring it to your soak and wrap it around your neck or drape it over your head. The contrast of the cool towel against the warm water is refreshing and helps you stay comfortable longer.
• Evaporative cooling: After soaking for a few minutes, sit up partially out of the water. As water evaporates off your skin, it draws heat away from your body — a natural and effective way to cool down.
• Shade your spa: If your hot tub gets direct sun exposure, consider shading it with an umbrella or shade structure. We carry cantilever-style patio umbrellas that provide great coverage over a hot tub and look fantastic in any outdoor space — and we have some great sale prices on them right now. Stop by the showroom to see the options.
• Add a contrast tub: For the ultimate contrast therapy experience, consider pairing your hot tub with the Kodiak by Jacuzzi. With a temperature range of 4–40°C (40–104°F), it works as both a cold plunge and a warm soak — right alongside your hot tub. Alternating between warm and cold water is an increasingly popular wellness routine with real recovery and circulation benefits.