Guide to Installation
With hottubhome the installation process of your new hot tub may be easier than you think.
By following a few simple steps, we can ensure that you will be relaxing in your hot tub in next to no time.
- Using specialist equipment and manpower is the most straight forward option for installations where the site allows.
- If your hot tub is being sited on a balcony or if access is difficult, we may need to organise a forklift to assist us. This cost is covered by hottubhome and all the arrangements can be made by us.
- Occasionally, for particularly high installation sites or very tricky access points we may need the assistance of a crane. In these cases, we can discuss pricing and make arrangements on your behalf.
First, we need information on the positioning of your hot tub so that we can understand what type of equipment we need to bring.
Where is your new hot tub being placed?
Delivery & Installation
Do you have adequate parking outside, near, or on your property for a large truck with a tail lift, approximately 7 meters long, to enable our engineers to unload your hot tub easily?
Your hot tub requires a minimum width clearance of approx. 1m and a minimum height clearance of the height of your hot tub from the entrance of your property to the hot tub's final position to enable our engineers to manoeuvre it into place.
If you have any obstructions that could impact this route including piping, windowsills, guttering or steps, please let us know so that we can accommodate this in our planning.
Be mindful that tight angles along the route may pose a problem if the measurements are already tight so, please make us aware of this.
Finally, your hot tub will need to be situated on a ground that is flat and level.
Electrical Installation
Hot Tub Amperage
Most hot tubs require either a 13AMP, 20AMP or 32AMP supply and this largely depends on the size and specification of your chosen hot tub. If you are in any doubt what connection your hot tub requires, please ask.
We are more than happy to guide you.
13 AMP Electrical Requirements
The electrical requirements for 13AMP plug-and-play hot tubs are the simplest to complete. 13AMP hot tubs simply plug into a standard domestic power supply so all you need is an outdoor waterproof plug socket with RCD protection. hottubhome will provide up to 5 metres of cable and a plug to plug into the socket you have provided. The cable length should never exceed 5 meters and extension leads should not be used. Sockets should be hard wired into an internal circuit.
20AMP and 32AMP Electrical Requirement
We highly recommend a 20AMP full installation for any 13AMP hot tub where possible. This allows the hot tub heater to run whenever required, regardless of other functions of the hot tub being in operation.
For a 20AMP or 32AMP installation, a qualified electrician will need to carry out some works in preparation for our delivery and installation. 6mm² 3-core SWA cable is needed along with an IP66, 20MAMP or 32AMP Rotary Isolator Switch so that the hot tub can be isolated outdoors in case of an emergency or for routine service work. This is simply a rotary on/off switch that should be sited more than 2 metres away from the hot tub so that bathers cannot be in the hot tub whilst touching the switch. Out of the isolator your Electrician must install a 4mm thick cable that is at least 5 metres long for our team to connect into the hot bub control system.
Please note: hottubhome's installation teams are not authorised to carry out any works connecting directly to a fuse board and will NOT fit a cable into an isolator switch or consumer unit under any circumstances.
What’s the difference?
A 13 amp model would attract a single pump whilst 32 amp models allow for multiple pump systems which are responsible for the flow of water through the jets. Also on a 13 amp installation it is not possible for the pump and heater to run simultaneously. For 32 amp installations our electrician will be required to run appropriate cable from your hot tub into your electrical fuse box. So while 13 amps are much easier to connect and install they do not attract the extra power and performance of our 32 amp models.
IP66 Rated – 20AMP or 32AMP Weatherproof Isolator Switch
Your electrician should fit a suitable weatherproof block connector to the end of the tail from the isolator, the hot tub supply can then be directly hard wired into the weatherproof block connector inside the hot tub.
Waterproof gland packs should be used to prevent ingress of water on all electrical connections (2 at the isolation switch). Ensure that all earth cables are clearly colour coded with green/yellow insulating tape or earth sleeve.
Required Electrical Standards
The electrical installation must comply with International Standard IEC 60364-1 and we recommend following the British Wiring Regulations BS:7671:2018 (the 18th Edition) – “Requirements for Electrical Installations IET Wiring Regulations” as the method for implement this, particularly concerning the following specifications:
- The hot tub must be hard wired on its own fused spur back to your household consumer unit, not sharing a supply with any other appliances.
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The hot tub should be protected by a sufficiently rated MCB (mains circuit breaker) and should cover the maximum amperage pull of the Spa plus 25% to allow for brake torque (i.e. the extra rush of current when pumps are first started). Therefore, a hot tub that has a maximum current draw of 16AMP should be fitted with a 20AMP MCB.
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The hot tub should be protected against earth faults by an RCD (Residual Current Device). This is a trip switch which prevents the possibility of an electric shock from damaged or waterlogged cables and connections. A suitable rated 30mA RCD is recommended.
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Outdoor cabling should be protected from damage by either laying protective ducting (pc pipe) below ground or by using Steel Wired Armoured (SWA) cable. Your Electrician will calculate the size of cable required depending on the loading and the distance from the mains supply.
The hottubhome installation team will commission your new hot tub once the electrical supply is completed and your hot tub is filled with water, finally handing over to you with a complete chemical training guide and hot tub features demonstration.
If you are in any doubt about the required electrical guidelines, please speak with us here at hottubhome. We are always happy to guide and advise in any situation.
Installation Terms & Conditions
- A responsible person over the age of 18 must be at your property at all times whilst the hottubhome's engineers are on site.
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hottubhome can accept no liability for damage to your premises. Tubs are delivered on sliders that are dragged along the ground so please consider this when planning your route and considering any obstacles as the weight can exceed 400kgs. If you have requested that we access your location via a neighbouring property you must get written permission from them acknowledging that hottubhome accept no responsibility for damages.
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hottubhome will endeavour to install your hot tub on the date agreed. The information we obtain from you needs to be as accurate as possible in order for us to do so. If any of the information you have given is inaccurate and we are not able to install your spa on the day a £250.00 charge will be applied.
- hottubhome may have to cancel your installation date due to unforeseen circumstances, such as inclement weather conditions, shipping delays or forces of nature. We may have to re-arrange your installation date at short notice, at our cost.
