4 Tips to Enjoy Your Backyard Spa During the Winter

Nothing soothes the chills of winter like an at-home spa. Whether it’s a hot tub or a heated swimming pool, you can stay warm and relax all winter long. In order to fully enjoy your backyard spa, you might need to invest in some additional equipment, especially if the temperature is approaching zero degrees Fahrenheit. While getting into the water will be a refreshing experience, getting out of the spa and back inside can be less than pleasant. Use these tips to make the most of your backyard spa this winter.

Add an Electric Heater

While the water in your hot tub or heated swimming pool may be the perfect temperature, the area around your spa will be frigid. You’ve just enjoyed a relaxing dip in the water, but now you have to get out, dry off, and run inside as fast as possible before your fingers fall off. This isn’t the soothing retreat you had in mind when you bought your hot tub in the first place.

You can stay warm in and out of the spa by buying a spa heater. Just set it up near the spa area and, as soon as you get out of the water, you’ll be greeted by some much-needed heat. You don’t have to worry about your body temperature dropping dramatically or having to dash inside, which can be dangerous when there’s ice on the ground.  [B1] 

Keep Your Spa Covered

Even if you plan on using your spa regularly, keep it covered when it’s not in use. This locks in the heat so you don’t have to start the heating process from scratch every time you turn the spa back on. You won’t have to wait as long for the water to warm up, and you’ll cut back on your energy bills. Choose a thick vinyl spa cover to keep the heat in the spa where it belongs. This also blocks the ice and snow from lowering the temperature of the water.

Buy a Hot Towel Warmer

There’s nothing like drying off with a hot towel. Every time you use your outdoor spa, you need to think about your exit strategy, including how you’re going to dry off. Not having a towel nearby will leave you dripping wet in the middle of winter, which will lower your body temperature and even cause hypothermia.

The human body normally operates at around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, and hypothermia occurs when the body drops down to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s a difference of only three and a half degrees, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Even if you have a towel nearby, it will turn cold by the time you get out of the water. That’s why you should invest in a hot towel warmer. This handy device keeps the towel nice and toasty while you’re taking a dip. As soon as you get out of the water, you can reach for a pleasantly hot towel to keep the good vibes going. Otherwise, your soothing trip to the spa will end with a frigid mad dash to the door.

Invest in Proper Lighting

Using your spa is a real challenge if you can’t see your surroundings. Spas are the perfect way to relax after a long day and, since the sun sets around 4 p.m., you’re going to need some additional lighting if you want to unwind in the evening.

While a few overhead lights will make your spa more functional at night, you also need to think about ambiance and setting the right mood. You don’t want to sit in the spa under a spotlight. That’s why it’s best to choose soft, diffused light. The light won’t be as harsh, and you don’t have to worry about bringing too much attention to yourself in your neighborhood.

Look for smaller lights with 35 to 50 watts to create a more relaxing environment in your backyard. If your spa is a few feet away from the house, you should also get some pendant lighting for your walkways and pathways, so you can walk in between the two without slipping or falling.

Having an at-home spa is a truly rewarding experience, but if you don’t have the right equipment, getting out of the water can be an unpleasant challenge or even a dangerous one for some people. Do your loved ones a favor and turn your spa into the ultimate retreat by investing in these spa accessories today.