[This article first appeared here in August 2019 and has been revised and expanded.]
Winter is coming and you're looking forward to cool nights in your hot tub under a starry sky. Except that you need a new one. And then you have to dispose of the old one.
Having to deal with old hot tub removal and disposal is challenging enough in the warm weather seasons. But it can be particularly difficult in the midst of winter. So, what can you do?
A New Hot Tub to Welcome In the New Year!
It's always exciting to upgrade old appliances and equipment with the newest and latest versions. New styles, features and smart technology can make your new unit more useful, easy to work with, or more fun, depending on what kind of item it is.
And it's just as true with hot tubs.
Some may ask if it's okay to look for backyard appliances such as hot tubs, spas, Jacuzzis, or even swim spas in the middle of winter?
The short answer is, "Yes!"
In fact, according to one industry blog,
"The best time to purchase a hot tub is between fall and winter. The selling season for hot tubs begins in spring. This is when people begin to venture outside and enjoy the warmer weather. Therefore, hot tub dealers will want to begin clearing out their excess inventory in September."
And for those new to the whole hot tub ownership thing, it may be a bit surprising to know that many hot tubbers routinely use their tubs in the depths of winter cold.
As one article points out,
"Winter is a wonderful season to use a hot tub. The hot water & massage breathes life back to frozen feet and aching joints. Instead of winterizing the spa for the cold, why not make the most of your investment and enjoy it? New, energy saving hot tubs stay hot and ready all winter, without adding to your electric bill."
So, if you're the owner of an aging or "no-longer-hot" hot tub, this winter can be a great time to upgrade and treat yourself to a new, energy efficient model.
A Hot Tub is a Jacuzzi is a Spa. Or is It?
While it's certainly not a deal-breaker when you are looking to upgrade or buy a new hot tub, knowing the distinction between these terms is important.
According to an article at PoolandSpa.com,
"What is the difference between a spa, hot tub Jacuzzi and whirlpool?
A. Basically, the word “spa” is used to describe any one of a number of jetted, heated, water-filled tubs. According to Webster’s Dictionary, a spa is defined as “a celebrated watering place in Belgium; any place, especially a resort, having a mineral spring.”
Most “spas” are made out of either fiberglass or acrylic. Acrylic spas are, by far, the better of the two types and will provide longer life and service to their owners.
“Hot tubs” are made of wood, sometimes with a liner set inside. They can provide you with that “jet action”, but without the contoured seating acrylic spas offer.
A “whirlpool”, the way the word is commonly used, refers to any spa or hot tub’s circular “water action”. Remember, a “Jacuzzi” is not a generic name for spas. Jacuzzi is a company that makes “whirlpool baths” and spas. Any spa or hot tub will provide you with this “whirlpool action” of the water."
However, no matter what you call yours, the challenge when you replace it is disposing of your old hot tub!
If you've had a hot tub for a while, you already know it offers a great way to take off the evening chill, relax after a long day at work, and entertain guests or family in a fun and soothing fashion. However, you also know that maintaining a hot tub can be a lot of work.
And, when the time comes to replace it, you probably already know that it's going to be difficult to break down and remove that old hot tub or spa by yourself.
Because of it's size and construction, a typical hot tub makes removal and disposal a very labor intensive process. It requires dismantling, or even cutting, large portions of the tub element just to remove it from your yard or your deck. And, once you do have removed, you have to have an efficient method for disposing of all those parts.
Unless you have a truck, or access to one, this can be a problem.
In addition, you really can't just throw it all into your residential trash can or a even your dumpster at work. This is because so many components need to be properly disposed of. For example, some of the elements might contain hazardous material.
And you really don't want to be responsible for disposing of these materials which are considered hazardous waste when you throw them out. So, what may have seemed like a simple matter of tossing all the pieces into a truck and hauling it off to the closest landfill, turns out not to be a simple DIY task.
So, the question now becomes "How to dispose of a hot tub efficiently?"
When It's Time for a New Hot Tub
Maybe your old hot tub or Jacuzzi is still sitting on the patio or in your back yard and you meant to get rid of it a long time ago. You had good intentions, but it's still out there and it's gradually become an eyesore and maybe even a safety hazard.
And now you want to get a new one.
Even though some people might think that hot tubs and spas are too "1990s", sales from spa dealers have actually gone up from previous years. In fact, one survey found that 62 percent of the dealers polled noted an increase in sales.
One of the main trends that were identified was the increasing number of old tubs purchased in the early 2000s that needed to be replaced.
According an article in sfgate.com,
Inexpensive hot tubs that are not constructed with quality materials may last only about five years. At the other end, hot tubs made with high-quality materials that also typically come with a long warranty and a high price tag, can last 20 years or more. Mid-grade hot tubs have an average lifespan of around 10 years.
And that is just one of many reasons to replace your old one. Another trend noted is the a new generation of younger, new customers just entering the market. A significant number of these new customers are buying the spas in order to partake in hydrotherapy or to treat other physical ailments. In other words, hot tubs aren't all about swimsuits and champagne!
And now, you too, want to upgrade to a bigger and better luxury spa tub!
But getting rid of the old one, like any old appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines, can be a formidable challenge for homeowners. And your old hot tub might be a monster of an appliance!
These large units are almost impossible to pick up and move. That by itself can be hazardous. In addition, once you do manage to load them in a truck , you have to know where to take them, because, like we noted already, you can't just leave them on the curb for the garbage company to pick up.
And, worse still, the local landfill or municipal dumping facility may not take them, either even if you did manage to get it there yourself.
Professional Hot Tub Removal for You
When you've decided to get rid of yours you might be thinking about selling it. But, because trying to sell your old hot tub takes time and quite a bit of effort, the most cost-effective and safest approach is to simply call a professional junk hauling firm.
Did you know that Junk King offers efficient, safe and eco-friendly hot tub removal service? That means don't have to worry about how to dispose of your old hot tub. In fact, we do it all. Simply show us where the old hot tub is and our removal pros will break it down and carry it to our specialized truck.
Not only that, but we make sure that your old appliance ends up in the right place. When possible, that means a recycling facility to ensure your tub is disposed of in an eco-friendly way.
Our professional and insured hot tub disposal team will show up at your home and we call 15 minutes before we arrive. Once there, we’ll give you a free estimate based on how much room your hot tub (and other junk!) takes up in our truck. We'll haul those items into our junk removal trucks with no hidden fees.
Whatever you call it: a hot tub, spa or Jacuzzi - we’re the pros who will make sure you can relax while we do the hard work.
So, ready to get rid of your old hot tub this winter? It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3.
You make an appointment by booking online above or by calling 1.888.888.JUNK (5865).
