Silent but powerful features, your hot tub filters help ensure your hot tub's overall performance and long life. They work in the background, trapping particles as water runs through the filter media and acting as the most important line of defense against dirty spa water.
HOW HOT TUB FILTERS WORK
Every hot tub has some type of filter, because even when your hot tub water looks clear, contaminants such as body oils, lotions, dirt, and other environmental debris are often present. The way filters work is fairly simple: Water passes through them, trapping unwanted particles in their folds.
Most hot tub filters today are designed as cartridges that can be easily removed, cleaned, and replaced. Each cartridge consists of a core structure—usually plastic—and a medium wrapped around the core that acts as the filter. Made of polyester or other materials, the medium is pleated; the many resulting folds greatly increase the surface area of the filter for better cleaning action. The more filter surface area, the cleaner your water will be.
The particles trapped by the filters remain until they're cleaned out, so your role in maintaining the filter contributes greatly to its effectiveness. Neglecting regular filter maintenance and replacement could strain your hot tub pumps and heating system and cause dirt and grime to build up. Read on for recommended cleaning and replacement schedules.
A BETTER KIND OF HOT TUB FILTER
While polyester or “paper” filters have long been trusted and reliable options for hot tub sanitation, innovations in hot tub design have taken filter cartridges to new levels. Hot Spring® Spas has optimized ceramic fiber technology to develop a pleated cartridge filter that's just as easy to clean and maintain as its polyester counterpart. The new TRI-X® filter lasts two to four years longer and offers twice the cleaning area of other cartridges the same size. It's compatible with all Highlife Collection spa models—even those that do not come standard with TRI-X filters.
With superior filters, your entire hot tub system will run more efficiently. You'll enjoy:
- Clearer water
- Increased jet output and power
- Less electricity usage
- More reliable circulation and heating
- Even easier cleaning and maintenance
TRI-X filters can be hosed down, sprayed with dealer-recommended cleaners, soaked in cleaning solutions, or put directly into the dishwasher. Just be sure to run the dishwasher without soap and with an unheated dry cycle. These advanced ceramic fiber filters hold up to regular rinsing better than paper filters do. When properly maintained, they'll continue to provide crystal-clear spa water for four to six years of use.
WHY FILTER PLACEMENT MATTERS
Whenever the spa water is moving, your hot tub should be constantly cleaning. However, not all spa manufacturers deliver that level of dedication. Some hot tubs don't include filters at every intake location; instead, they rely on just one or two filters to handle a disproportionate volume of water. The intakes without filters have suction fittings that pull water into the pump. That unfiltered water is then pushed back out through the jets.
Hot Spring spas, however, feature filters at every intake point and every return, for up to five filters total and up to 325 square feet of filtration capacity to support an exceptionally powerful jet output. The result? Clean, comfortable water and excellent performance.
The following video demonstrates how Hot Spring filters and pumps work together to clean your hot tub water constantly—the secret to a crystal clear spa:
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR HOT TUB FILTER, AND WHEN TO REPLACE IT
Keeping your filters clean and replacing them when necessary are the keys to optimal hot tub health, performance, and long life. Luckily, today's advanced cartridges are easy to clean, making your part in hot tub filter maintenance a straightforward matter.
| Filter Type | Monthly Cleaning | Deeper Cleaning | Replace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester or “Paper” Filter Cartridge | Rinse with a garden hose every month and inspect the filter for signs of wear and tear. Using an instant filter cleaner spray can also help to break up oils and other stubborn particles. | Every time you drain your hot tub, soak the filters in the cleaning solution your dealer recommends. | Replace every 2-3 years, depending on usage and visible wear. |
| TRI-X Ceramic Fiber Filter Cartridge | Rinse with a garden hose every month and inspect the filter for signs of wear and tear. Using an instant filter cleaner spray can also help to break up oils and other stubborn particles. | Every time you drain your hot tub, soak the filters in the cleaning solution your dealer recommends. | Replace every 4-6 years, depending on usage and visible wear. |
Spraying with a garden hose is often enough to clear much of the build-up, and simple filter spray cleaners or degreasers, available from your hot tub dealer, can easily break up the rest. This video demonstrates four easy ways to clean your TRI-X filters, including one which puts your dishwasher to work:
Filter maintenance and replacement schedules will vary depending on how often you use your hot tub and how many people regularly soak in it. The more contaminants that are introduced into the water, the more buildup the filter will collect. When the filtration medium is compromised, so is its ability to hold a strong line of defense against dirty spa water. To keep your hot tub running efficiently, consider calendaring your inspections, monthly cleanings, deep cleanings, and spa-drainage days according to usage over a 12-month period.
Every time you remove your filters for cleaning, be sure to also inspect them for signs of wear, tear, or cracking. Pay extra attention as cartridges grow closer to the end of their lifespans. When it's time to replace your filters, choose only the certified, branded filters designed for use with your hot tub model. When your home spa depends so heavily on maximum filtration power for overall performance, you want to rely on the best.
If you have any questions about what filters are right for your hot tub, how to best care for them, or any other troubleshooting tips, reach out to your nearby dealer. Hot Spring takes pride in offering a superior hot tub experience, along with simple care and maintenance requirements and responsibilities. To find out more, download a brochure or request a price quote here.