One of the most common questions we’re asked is, “how long does a Lay Z Spa take to heat up” after all, it’s only natural that once your hot tub arrives, you want to dive in and enjoy a soak as soon as possible.
Lay Z Spas are one of the easiest hot tubs to set up and can be inflated in as little as five minutes; however, they do take some time to heat up.
There may be other times you need to reheat your Lay Z Spa, such as you have stored it away for the winter, lowered the temperature between soaks or drained the tub for cleaning.
Depending on the size of your spa, it can take anything from 6 to 48 hours to reach the right hot tub temperature. This post will look at how long it takes for both the small and larger models in the range, things that may affect heating times, what is the right temperature and some tips to heat a hot tub quicker.
Let’s get started!
How To Heat Up A Lazy Spa
There’s a lot of debate about this online and we ourselves have seen different heating times on various models, so we’re going down the official line here. Lay Z Spa states on its website that the pump increases the temperature at a rate of 1ºC – 1.5ºC an hour.
So it should take up to 24 hours for the smaller spas and up to 48 hours for the larger models.
This, of course, depends on several factors!
Why Does It Take So Long For a Lazy Spa To Heat Up?
Insulation
Inflatable hot tubs lose heat much quicker than permanent ones as they have little insulation; this heat loss plays a big factor in how long the water takes to reach the desired temperature. You should always have a lid to retain heat when people are out of the tub, and the elements are bashing against the spa.
Components
This shouldn’t affect new Lay Z Spas, but if you’ve had one for a while, the components and features like a pump, bottom of the tub and surface may be worn or clogged with debris. This will force your tub to work much harder to heat the water and, consequently, would take longer to heat up.
Air temperature
Heating your jacuzzi in warmer climates is much easier than if there’s a chilly wind blowing. When the ambient air temperature is much higher in the summer months, your Lay Z Spa will heat much quicker. The environment can play a big part in affecting your tub, so its imperative to have some form of protection.
Water chemistry
Did you know that having the incorrect PH level and chemicals could slow your heating times significantly? This is because water with too much alkalinity will see a build-up of calcium and scale, which will again cause the unit to work much harder.
Can You Set The Timer To Heat A Lay Z Spa?
The timer Lay Z Spa model’s boast is an excellent feature. It enables you to set what time the heater is activated, meaning you could set it to automatically come on a couple of hours before you finish work. Top marks for convenience and it saves you money on running costs too!
This video from Bestway shows how to set the Lay Z Spa energy-saving timer.
What’s The Maximum Water Temperature?
Another common question many hot tub owners ask. Lay Z Spas are designed to reach a maximum of 40 degrees Celsius or 104 degrees Fahrenheit. But is having your Lay Z Spa turned up to the max the best way to go?
The recommended temperature for adults
Although 40 degrees is the highest safe recommended temperature for healthy adults, according to BISHTA ( British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association) However, most hot tub owners have their thermostats set at between 36 and 38 degrees. Not only will this save you a few pennies in running costs, it means you’ll be able to soak safely for longer.
It’s really down to personal preference, any medical conditions, your body temperature and the weather.
The safe temperature for children
If you have kids, you need to be careful with the temperature settings. Children have thinner skin than adults and younger children especially can’t regulate their body temperature efficiently. Hence, it’s crucial to reduce the temperature settings to a maximum of 36 degrees and they should not be in the tub for more than five to ten minutes.
How To Heat a Lazy Spa Quicker
1. Leave the cover on.
It might seem obvious, but the best way to get your hot tub water temperature up is to leave the insulated cover on whilst the heater is running. This will prevent the water from becoming chilled by the air temperature.
2. Turn on the air jets
There is some controversy about this one, whilst many “hot tub experts” say the tub heats quicker with the jets on as the water circulates the tub. Lay Z Spa state that the cold air of their bubble massage system will cool down the water.
So the jury is still out on this one. We have found that Lay Z Spas heat efficiently without using the air jets.
3. Use an insulating mat.
Having the same effect as the cover, an insulated ground cloth will prevent heat loss through your Lay Z Spa base. This is the hot tub mat we recommend.
4. Check the filters are clean.
Having dirty filters is a sure-fire way of slowing down the time it takes for your Lay Z Spa to heat up. This is because clogged filters slow down the current and the pump is working hard to keep the tub clean instead of concentrating all its efforts on heating the water. Learn all about cleaning spa filters here.
5. Positioning
Where your hot tub is will influence how long it takes to heat up. Position your Lay Z Spa in a sheltered area away from draughts and preferably in a sunny spot will make your hot tub heat quicker.
6. Check the PH levels
As mentioned above, a chemical imbalance can impact heating times. To heat your hot tub faster, buy some test strips and ensure your PH levels are within the correct range between 7.2 and 7.6
7. Add warm water
It’s not recommended to add hot water to a hot tub when filling it; firstly, it could damage the lining of the hot tub; plus, it’s difficult to do; you would need to have a hose adapter to connect to your hot tap. However, adding a couple of buckets to the spa’s water when nearly full won’t cause any harm and will reduce waiting time slightly.
Heat-Up Times For Lay Z Spa’s Most Popular Models
Heating Times for Lay Z Spa’s most popular models
These are the average times given on the website. However, as we’ve covered, these can vary depending on the weather, etc. We’ve often seen heating times reduced to around 6 hours.
| Name of Model | Water Capacity | Average Heating Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bali Lay Z Spa Model | 177 gallons | 6-12 hours |
| Cancun Lay Z Spa Model | 177 gallons | 6-12 hours |
| Miami Lay Z Spa Model | 192 gallons | 6-12 hours |
| Ibiza Lay Z Spa Model | 205 gallons | 8-12 hours |
| Paris Lay Z Spa Model | 250 gallons | 12-24 hours |
| Hollywood Lay Z Spa Model | 240 gallons | 12-24 hours |
| St Tropez Lay Z Spa Model | 247 gallons | 12-24 hours |
| Helsinki Lay Z Spa Model | 297 gallons | 12-24 hours |
| Palm Springs Lay Z Spa Model | 254 gallons | 12-24 hours |
| Maldives Lay Z Spa Model | 277 gallons | 12-24 hours |
| St Moritz Lay Z Spa Model | 314 gallons | 24-48 hours |
Last Word
So how long does it take for a Lay Z Spa to heat up? It depends on the size of the model, the weather, and if it isn’t a new lazy spa, the condition of the internal workings. The water heats at a rate of 1-1.5 degrees Celcius per hour using a circulation pump so anywhere from 12 – 48 hours, although we’ve seen it reduced to six hours using some of the tips above.
Remember to bring a spa cover over the water when not in use, set a lower hot tub temperature and add a few buckets of hot water near the end.
Before you know it, you’ll be sinking into those decadent bubbles and enjoying a blissful spa experience.
