How to Replace a Hot Tub Pump
Spa owners should accept the fact that there hot tub pump will fail. The damage of this failure can be much larger than a new pump. Routine inspection of your hot tub pump will help prevent damages. A good spa pump will last 6-8 years so be prepared to replace your older pumps.
A good rule to follow is to inspect your hot tub pump every time you clean your spa filter. You should be checking for water leakage, loud noises and hot pump motors. If you find any of these symptoms then it is time to repair or replace your pump before the pump fails and damages other parts such as the heater.
Water is a sure sign of trouble. Look closely at the spa pump and determine where it is coming from. It may be leaking from the ports and simply need to be tightened or require new o-rings. It may be coming from the motor shaft and pump housing. This is usually a sign of a leaking bearing and will need to be fixed before the bearing fails completely and you have a flood to deal with. Also check the pump housing for small cracks. A cracked housing will get bigger with vibration and should be fixed or a new housing purchased.
If you hear excessive noise you may find it is coming from the pump’s sealed bearing or the motor. If the spa pump bearing is worn, this means the pump is working harder to overcome the worn bearing. It is also a sign that leaks will follow. Take care of this right away! if the pump is making excessive noise then chance are the motor windings are failing and it is time for a new spa pump.
Poor water flow in your spa is generally not caused by pumps. A pump either works or does not work. however the impeller can become clogged or a something might be lodge inside the pump housing. Remove both ports and physically look inside the pump. Check for obstructions. Try and spin the impeller, it should not turn freely as there should be resistance from the spa motor. If you are experiencing poor flow, I would suggest looking at your filter and suctions as the leading cause.
A normal hot tub motor will give off heat under regular conditions. However, you should be able to place your hand on the pump motor. If you find that it is very hot, then there may be internal motor problems. A very hot pump means energy is being wasted and can be costly. The cooler a pump motor runs the more efficient it is.
A spa pump has a starting capacitor that gives it extra juice when starting. If you pump hums and or the main breaker trips then the capacitor may be shot. However, there are a couple other things to check first. Make sure the impeller is free to move and that nothing is lodged. Also make sure no ice has formed inside the pump housing causing the impeller to stick.
If you decide for a new pump, make sure you choose a quality pump. You need to match port sizes usually 1.5″ or 2″. Also you need to determine whether you need a 1 speed or 2 speed pump (check the label). Also you should match the voltage, is your pump 110-120 VAC or 220-240 VAC? Finally, ensure you match the amps listed on your pump with similar amps. Never assume HP listed on the pump is accurate (often used as marketing gimmick by manufacturers), use the Amps rating as a proper guide.
When looking for new pumps consider quality. Remember your old pump failed so try and buy a pump that will last even longer. All manufacturer’s make replacement pumps so don’t feel you need to replace your spa pump with the same brand name. Paying a slight premium can be a great investment versus the cost of a failure! Premium pumps will last longer, run quieter and consume less power.
Replacing your Hot Tub Heater.
There becomes a time in every hot tub owners life when your spa pack and hot tub heater will eventually fail. The dilemma will then be whether you replace or repair your heater. This is a question that I guarantee all spa owners will eventually come across. No matter how well built your spa heater is, it will eventually fail. There are a few tips that I can share with you that will help you make this decision.
The first thing that has to be considered is the age of your existing spa pack and spa controller. If your hot tub heater is older than 5 years, I would suggest you look at replacing it with a new heater. As a heater ages, the internal parts become worn and also if your tub heater is past 5 years of age, chances are you will continue to experience multiple failures in the coming years.
If your older spa pack is analog, then you should really think of upgrading to a digital spa controller. A digital spa pack comes with a LED or LCD top side controller providing many advantages. You can change the temperature right at the hot tub without getting out of the tub. The digital controller is much more accurate meaning your water will stay at the temperature it is set for. The topside display will also give you the exact temperature of the water. Digital spa packs have solid state construction meaning there are no moving parts to break down.
Replacing a failed heating element is perhaps the least expensive spa repair. A heater element can be repaired by most spa owners without calling a service technician. If you are comfortable with this type of repair you may find the cost is around $100.
Operating cost savings! Most new spa packs manufacturer’s such as Balboa have programmable energy savings options built into their spa pack. This means you can set you tub temperature to economy modes when you are away. The programmable advantages of a digital pack could pay for itself just in operating cost savings.
Are you a handy man? Can you troubleshoot electronics? If not then you are looking at hiring a spa repair shop to fix your heater. This can quickly escalate the repair costs. On site visits can run $70-$100/hour. If they have to take your spa pack back to the shop then you are looking at most expenses. In the end you may pay more than a new spa pack to replace a $20 part.
Look at the cost to repair versus replacing your spa heater. Most brand new state of the art spa packs start in the range of about $500 and up. This means a new warranty and all new parts. The average repair bill for a hot tub heater is around $400 and up. Do the math, and in most cases you will find in the long term, you may be throwing away good money.
Spa packs are universal. Most dealers will not tell you this, as they want you to replace your spa pack with the same one you had. This is the same as a GM telling you, you need to use only their brakes? Shop around and don’t be scared, spa packs all do the same thing. When looking for a replacement pack always consider quality and the warranty.
I hope this article has provided you with the information needed to make a decision to replace or repair your spa pack.