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Spa FAQ’s
 For many consumers, purchasing a spa is a "once
in a lifetime" event. The current spa market in
the United States and Canada has over 100
manufacturers offering more than 1,500 spa
models, many of which look virtually identical.
Below you will find "Informed Buyer" questions.
The answers to these questions will help you
evaluate spa features and determine which
product provides the best value for you.
You can also click here for our
FREE
Spa Buying Guide! >>
Q:
What should I consider before buying?
A:
You may consider "wet testing" a spa before
purchasing. This means getting into a spa with
water in it. All reputable spa dealers maintain
filled demonstration models just for this
purpose.
Here is what you should look for: Verify that
the seats provide lumbar support. You do not
want to have to scoot down in the spa like you
do in a bathtub. When sitting in any seat, the
water should reach at least shoulder level. If
it does not, you will not get full
hydrotherapeutic value. Lean your head back
against the pillows. Make sure you do not have
to hyperextend your neck to rest your head.
If the spa has a Lounge Seat, make sure it is
deep enough to keep you in the seat. If you
float in the Lounge Seat it is virtually useless
for hydrotherapy and relaxation. Take notice of
the alignment of any fixed jets. Make sure they
are massaging muscle tissue and not bone or your
spine. Pay attention to how quietly or noisily
the spa operates. Can you hold a conversation in
a normal voice when the jets are operating? How
convenient are the controls to use when you are
seated in the spa?
Stay in the spa with the jets on for at least 15
minutes. At the end of that time you will know
whether the seating and jet arrangement is truly
comfortable.
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Q:
How much should I spend?
A:
Quality spas are available in a wide range of
prices. Just like cars, spa prices reflect
features, materials and workmanship. The
information in this consumer guide will help you
determine the best spa for your needs based on
value and performance. Of course, we hope that
as you are shopping you will consider a Sundance
spa. No matter which brand of spa you finally
choose, we want you to be an informed consumer
and have a wonderful, satisfying spa experience.
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Q:
What about the warranty?
A:
Frankly, this is one of the most abused areas in
the spa industry. Here are a few simple rules to
keep in mind: A product warranty is a
performance and reliability agreement between
you and the manufacturer. Avoid spa dealers who
add prorated and deductible provisions. Make
sure you read the manufacturer's warranty before
buying, and compare coverage with other spas you
are considering. Most quality spas will have at
least five years warranty on parts, plumbing and
labor without any service call charges.
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Q:
Is it installed inside or outside?
A:
A spa can be installed indoors or outdoors,
although over 90%, including those in cold
weather climates, are installed outdoors. The
two main considerations for installing a spa
indoors are: will it fit through the door, and
is the structural strength of the flooring
adequate. A typical 3-person spa weighs
approximately 2,500 lb/1,150 kg when filled.
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Q:
Do I need to install plumbing?
A:
No. All above-ground portable spas are filled
with water using a garden hose.
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Q:
How do I clean the water?
A:
Proper water maintenance is vital to enjoyment
of your spa. While some salespeople may try to
convince you that they can sell you a
"chemical-free" spa, professional retailers and
manufacturers most often recommend the use of
ozone purification in conjunction with
sanitizers developed specifically for spas.
Maintenance procedures are not difficult and
knowledgeable retailers will provide the
start-up kit and instructions you need.
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Q:
How often do I clean the spa?
A:
Most manufacturers recommend draining and
cleaning your spa no more than 3 or 4 times per
year, depending on how frequently you use it and
how well you maintain your water. In most cases
this simple process will only take about an hour
to accomplish.
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Q:
How is the temperature controlled?
A:
Most quality spas have relatively sophisticated
digital thermostatic controls. These highly
reliable modern systems are capable of keeping
the spa water within 1 degree of any temperature
you select. While this is important for comfort,
it is also important for safety. You should pay
particular attention to the control system if
you have children who will be using the spa.
Better systems have safety locks and digital
readouts. A good indicator of the control
system's quality is to read and compare
manufacturer's warranties.
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Q:
How many jets are adjustable?
A:
Real, beneficial hydrotherapy is directly
related to being able to adjust each jet where
it is needed. This is the standard by which
physical therapy and athletic hydrotherapy
systems are judged. A common point of consumer
confusion is introduced when manufacturers load
up a spa with lots of inexpensive,
non-adjustable, stationary jets. It doesn't make
any difference how many jets a spa has if they
are not properly located and plumbed to provide
the correct balance of water, air and
horsepower.
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Q:
What does the pump's horsepower rating mean?
A:
There are two kinds of horsepower ratings
applied to spa pumps: "Continuous Operating"
horsepower and "Brake" horsepower (also called
"Marketing" horsepower). Continuous Operating is
the horsepower the motor is capable of producing
while the spa is in operation. Brake is the
amount of horsepower the motor produces on
start-up before dropping to the Continuous
Operating rate.
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Q:
Is the spa full foam insulated?
A:
All major manufacturers agree that filling the
spa cabinet with polyurethane foam insulation
significantly reduces heat loss, thus reducing
heating costs. While this process adds to the
cost of manufacturing, research has shown that
full foam insulation provides substantial
savings to the spa owner over time. Some
manufacturers eliminate full foam insulation in
an attempt to provide a less expensive product.
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Q:
What is hydrotherapy?
A:
Hydrotherapy is the combined effect of heat,
massage and buoyancy. Warm water dilates blood
vessels, increasing blood flow to sore or
damaged tissues, allowing oxygen and nutrients
to help overworked muscles recover faster.
Massage, provided by the spa's jet system,
relaxes tense muscles and relieves pressure on
surrounding nerves. Massage also improves
circulation and accelerates the body's natural
healing process. Buoyancy reduces your body's
weight by 90%. This relieves pressure on
strained joints and muscles. Hydrotherapy is
widely recognized as an effective method of
alleviating the tension commonly associated with
stress.
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Q:
How do the jets and jet systems allow me to customize
my hydrotherapy experience?
A:
Many of the jets are adjustable, giving you an
amazing number of options. The Fluidix ST jets
adjust from oscillating to targeted. The Fluidix
Intelli-jets rotate clockwise,
counter-clockwise, or stationary. You can
control the flow volume and movement of other
jets as well. In addition, controlling the
amount of air mixed with the water with the air
control valves changes the dynamics of the
massage. Conveniently placed massage selectors
let you divert water from one seat to another to
increase or minimize the water flow. Ask your
dealer to show you how our strategically placed
and uniquely designed jets make the Sundance
experience the ultimate in relaxation and
therapy.
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Q:
Won't more filters produce better water quality?
A:
The Sundance MicroClean Filtration system
produces a level of water purity never before
found in any spa. And it's easy to maintain!
Incorporating the new micro-filtering disposable
filter with a reusable filter cartridge, our
system creates water that is cleaner and clearer
than ever before. One cartridge consists of a
spun-bound fiber technology. This allows for
ultra fine, low flow depth loading filtration.
This single pass, disposable component is
similar to those found in home counter-mounted
drinking water filters. This product reduces
maintenance by quickly collecting oils, and
clarifying water.
The other cartridge is the high-flow pleated
surface loading element like you see on other
brand spas. This large filter can be cleaned and
reused and does a good job of cleaning the
larger particles from the water.
The Sundance MicroClean filter removes large
particles, ultra-fine particles and oils from
the water. Other brand spas only have the
ability to filter the large particles from the
water, regardless of the number and placement of
their filters. So more filters are not able to
give you the maximum water filtration found only
on Sundance spas.
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Q:
Isn't a bigger pump going to give me a better
massage?
A:
Many manufacturers talk about the horsepower of
their pump. Horsepower can be measured using a
"service factor" or a "true rating" system. The
first describes the initial thrust as the pump
first engages, but immediately the pump output
falls to a lower, continuous horsepower level.
When a spa manufacturer claims they have a 6-hp
pump, they are describing the "initial thrust,
not the horsepower the pump delivers as it runs.
Efficient plumbing, better jets and flow control
are more important than horsepower. A lower
horsepower pump in a more efficient spa will
produce just as much jet power as a higher
horsepower pump. And remember, you are looking
for a comfortable but strong massage, and not
looking for acceleration up a mountain road or a
punishing hot water experience!
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Q:
Why doesn't Sundance offer factory installed ozone
systems?
A:
Sundance offers both an ultra-violet (UV) and a
corona discharge (CD) system. CD ozone
generators, although more expensive than UV
ozone generators, yield higher concentrations of
ozone for greater effectiveness and are less
costly to maintain. We strongly believe that you
and your dealer should discuss the strengths of
both systems and determine which system best
fits your needs.
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Q:
What's the purpose of a circulation pump?
A:
Today's finest spas feature a small circulation
pump that continuously filters the water to keep
it clean and clear. It also provides the
necessary flow to allow the heater to constantly
maintain your set temperature. Spas without
circulation pumps must rely on the low speed of
a larger horsepower pump turning on periodically
to provide filtration and the flow required for
heating. The circulation pump is the most
efficient method to provide flow for filtration
and heating.
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Q:
How long before I want to use the spa should I start
heating it?
A:
The Sundance Sentry control system can keep your
spa hot and ready to use. Or you may prefer the
"economy" setting which allows you to tell the
system when you are most likely to use the spa
and it will have the spa hot and ready at your
designated times.
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Q:
I understand that the heater is usually the most
vulnerable component of any spa. How is yours
different?
A:
The Sundance Smart Heater has a titanium coil
that directly heats the water, increasing
efficiency and reducing costs. Titanium
prohibits heater corrosion and nearly eliminates
failure. The Smart Heater carries a 5-year
unconditional warranty.
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Q:
What are the electrical specifications of the spa? I
know that 110V can be less expensive to install.
A:
Most of the Sundance spas are 220V only, but
some are available in 110V. Most customers like
the benefits of the 220V spa like a much quicker
heating time. For example, the Caprio model is
available in either the 110V or the 220V, but
customers like you choose the 220V version 4 to
1 over the 110V version. While the initial
installation may be slightly more involved for
the 220V models, most people feel the benefits
far outweigh the expense.
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Q:
What can I do to assure my family's safety?
A:
Check to be sure that the spa you buy is listed
by a recognized independent testing agency such
as UL or ETL.
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Use a qualified electrician to connect the
electrical service to the spa.
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Make sure the cover comes with a locking system
to prevent unauthorized use.
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Keep appliances and other electrical devices
away from the spa area.
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Always observe the warnings about spa use by
small children, pregnant women, people with
certain health conditions and people under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
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Source: Sundance
Spas |
