A used hot tub can appear like a real bargain.
You see one advertised at a fraction of the cost of a new hot tub. It looks alright. Everything works, says the seller. Suddenly, purchasing a costly new hot tub doesn’t seem like such a good idea.
Sometimes, it really can be a good choice to purchase used.
However, there is more to it than the initial price.
A hot tub has several key components – pumps, heaters, controls, plumbing, jets, insulation, electrical system, filters, seals, etc. Plus, you must move it to your property, install, fill it up and check that everything works well there.
That’s why the decision to go for new or used hot tubs deserves careful consideration.
At Sunset Spas, we help our clients choose hot tubs considering their long-term value, comfort, hydrotherapy benefits, energy efficiency, features and budget. If you are thinking about purchasing a used spa, take a look at the following questions worth answering.
Quick Answer: Is it Worth Buying a Used Hot Tub?
Buying a used hot tub can be a good choice if you are familiar with the age, maintenance and repair history of a used hot tub and know that replacement parts are available.
However, there are additional risks when purchasing used.
When it comes to new hot tubs, you know their precise history and technology, get warranty protection and have the option of choosing the right size and features.
So, the lower price of used hot tubs does not mean lower cost of ownership.
Used Hot Tubs are Usually Cheaper Initially
The most popular reason for purchasing used is the lower cost of used hot tubs.
Some private party sellers offer a used hot tub for much less than a new one. Sometimes they simply need the spa moved from their property.
That makes the offer quite tempting.
However, the price is just the starting point of your cost calculations.
You might still need to hire professionals to move, wire, build a new foundation, replace filters or cover, fix plumbing, and do a lot of other things in order to make it work.
So, calculate the full cost of getting a spa installed at your property.
That will give you the true price of a hot tub rather than the price you pay the seller.
The History of a New Hot Tub Is Known for Sure
A new hot tub has obvious advantage in terms of known history.
It hasn’t been kept outdoors for years.
It hasn’t seen any freeze and water chemistry issues, repairs, leaks, or electrical problems.
When purchasing used, you have to trust the seller regarding the past experience of the spa.
Sometimes they know it quite well.
Sometimes – not at all.
For instance, if the spa has been sold together with the home, the new owner knows almost nothing about its history.
That does not mean the hot tub is necessarily bad. However, it means that the history is not completely known to you.
A Warranty Makes All the Difference
The difference in warranty coverage is another major difference between purchasing used and new hot tubs.
When you buy a new spa, you can count on warranty protection from the manufacturer based on the brand and model.
Such warranty can save you in case of a covered equipment failure.
Used spas are unlikely to come with any warranty coverage or have very limited warranty left.
Moreover, sometimes manufacturers do not transfer warranties to the second owner of a used hot tub.
That’s why you should never assume that the warranty coverage is still valid on the used spa.
Check the information on the warranty of the exact model of the hot tub you are thinking of purchasing.
Without warranty coverage, you have to count on your own pocket for paying any potential repairs.
Old Equipment is Close to Replacement
As we have mentioned above, the hot tub components cannot last forever.
They wear out after some time.
That’s why the equipment of used spas, which has been operated for some time, may require repairs sooner or later.
You can purchase an inexpensive used hot tub but then have to spend extra money for the replacement of pump, heater, control board, or other equipment soon after purchase.
Before purchasing, ask about the date of the last repair of major components.
The receipt of such repair is even better.
Always See a Used Hot Tub in Operation
Never purchase a used hot tub without seeing it in operation.
It doesn’t tell you much about the equipment and plumbing.
If possible, see the spa filled with water, heated and operating.
Check the pumps.
Switch the jets on.
See if any water appears around the equipment area.
Test the controls.
Make sure the heater works.
Also, check the surroundings of the spa cabinet for the traces of water.
A spa can look perfectly clean while being quite damaged underneath.
Watch Out for Leaks
Leaking is a serious issue that you shouldn’t miss.
Check the equipment area and the surrounding grounds.
Look for any traces of water, mineral deposit, discoloration or recent drying.
Also, ask if the spa has lost any water since last filling.
Small leakage can be repaired.
However, leaking in the plumbing of an insulated spa may become quite a challenging problem to address.
That’s why you should see the spa working before buying it.
The Hot Tub Cover Needs Replacement
Don’t overlook the cover of the spa.
A worn, waterlogged, cracked or heavy cover cannot provide proper insulation.
You will have to replace it sooner or later anyway.
The new hot tubs come with new, properly functioning covers.
When it comes to the used hot tubs, you have to check the cover separately from the rest of the spa.
If it feels too heavy and no longer properly seals the water, take it into account in your budget.
Newer Hot Tubs Can Be More Energy Efficient
The improvements in technology and design have led to better energy efficiency of modern hot tubs.
The insulation, controls, circulation system, pumps, and cover are some factors influencing energy efficiency.
However, just because a hot tub is new doesn’t mean it is more energy efficient than any older model.
When it comes to comparing the energy efficiency of hot tubs, it’s important to consider some of the following:
- the insulation
- the condition of the cover
- the size of the spa
A large and poorly insulated used hot tub may consume more electricity than smaller, well-insulated one.
A Used Hot Tub Needs Cleaning
Any pre-owned hot tub should be carefully cleaned before using.
It means the shell, plumbing, filter area, jets and any other surfaces that are in contact with water.
Old filters should be replaced rather than trusted because they look clean enough.
You will also have to flush and refill the system.
That doesn’t mean that you cannot clean the spa properly.
It means that sanitation is an important step to complete before using the spa.
Moving a Used Hot Tub May Be Very Expensive
When you purchase a used spa privately, the delivery is never included in the price.
Hot tubs are big, heavy and hard to move.
You will have to hire professionals to remove the spa from the property of the seller and deliver it to your backyard.
Accessibility is another issue.
Walls, gates, landscaping, steps, or other obstacles can complicate the moving process.
In some cases, special equipment will be needed.
Don’t buy a spa first and find out later that the delivery will cost you a fortune.
Make Sure Replacement Parts Are Available
The old spas may be equipped with parts that the manufacturer doesn’t produce anymore.
That complicates the process of repairing the components.
That’s why you have to identify the brand, the model, and the age of the hot tub before purchasing.
Then you should make sure that the parts and service are available.
Otherwise, an otherwise cheap hot tub can become an outdoor decoration for your backyard because of the broken control board or pump.
With New Hot Tub, You Can Choose What You Want
When you purchase used, you accept the model you get.
Maybe it has 6 seats when you actually need just two.
Or it doesn’t suit your height and position.
Maybe the jet configuration doesn’t fit your hydrotherapy needs.
And the color is not suitable for your backyard.
Buying new spa allows you to choose the exact size, seating arrangement, configuration of jets, features and much more.
That’s especially important when you are going to own the hot tub for many years.
When Buying Used Can Make Sense
A used hot tub can be a good idea when it is relatively new, well-maintained, in full operation, and offered at a reasonable price considering the fact that you can repair it in future.
The best case scenario would be to know:
- the age of the spa
- the model number
- the maintenance history
- if the spa had any leaks
- what kind of repair was performed
- what replacement parts are still available
- if you can see the hot tub in action
- the cost of the moving
The less unknown aspects you have, the lower the risks.
Calculate the True Cost of Ownership
Imagine that a used hot tub is much cheaper than a new one.
Now add the cost of moving, a new cover, new filters, an equipment repair, wiring and sanitation.
That price difference may disappear quickly.
On the other hand, the well-maintained used spa requiring no additional work can be a bargain.
The point is to compare the total cost rather than the initial price.
Ask what it will cost you to own a functional spa.
New vs. Used Hot Tubs: Which One Should You Buy?
Choosing the least expensive option can be a good solution for those buyers who are ready to accept some risks.
For others, a new hot tub is safer because they get warranty protection, newer technology, known condition, parts availability, model selection, and dealer’s help.
That doesn’t mean that there is one right answer.
However, the more important the hot tub is for your daily relaxation and hydrotherapy, the more important reliability becomes.
Sunset Spas has a great variety of new hot tubs and swim spas for sale for our Arizona and Las Vegas clients.
Visit a Sunset Spas showroom and compare the models in person.
