Do I Really Need A Hot Tub Cover Lifter?
Have you ever asked yourself, “Do I really need a hot tub cover lifter?” The answer is quite simply, “Yes! Absolutely, yes.” Here’s why:
A good hot tub cover lifter is the key to extending the life of your cover and making your spa easier to use for the entire family. In addition to protecting your spa, a hot tub cover lifter also protects your back.
Extend the life of your spa with a hot tub cover lifter.
How Do Hot Tub Cover Lifters Work?
Generally, a cover lifter has a bar that rests against the fold in the cover.
After unclipping the child safety locks from the front of the cover, you simply fold it back over that bar. Then, as you fold back one more time, the cover is mechanically brought back, off the hot tub surface and held in place. It’s easy to do by yourself in seconds.
The only negative is that most hot tub lifters disrupt the attractive, clean lines of a spa and the look of a smooth flat cover. That’s why Caldera® Spas integrates the lifter bar inside the cover. The integrated bar complements the spa design, resulting in a cleaner look and more attractive design aesthetic.
You will use your spa more if you have a hot tub cover lifter.
What If I Don’t Have A Spa Cover Lifter?
Without a hot tub cover lifter, you fold the cover back and then slide it off the hot tub. Hot tub cover stands are available to keep the hot tub cover off the ground, but if you’re doing this task by yourself, at least one edge of the cover will rest against the ground as you do it.
More than likely, a corner is going to bang against the ground and possibly get damaged. Getting the cover back onto the hot tub is a task that’s not easy for one person. This is because of the unwieldy nature of a large cover and lack of proper leverage.
Over time, some covers may get heavier from moisture build-up, making a hot tub cover lifter even more of an advantage.
Do I Install My Hot Tub Cover Lifter Myself or Hire Someone Else?
Installing a hot tub cover lifter can be a do-it-yourself project but for difficulty on a scale of one to 10, it’s an eight.
Many dealers install the cover lifter for you when they deliver your new spa (this extra service is provided at no cost by Arvidson Pools & Spas).
In addition, if you are a skilled handyman who has tackled these kinds of projects before then it might be an easy installation project for you.
Make sure you read through the manufacturer’s installation instructions before you begin and have all the necessary tools at hand. Remember, you are likely going to be drilling holes into your expensive hot tub to install a cover lifter.
If you have any doubts, especially in regard to the proper locations for drilling holes then contact the hot tub dealer who installed your spa or the hot tub manufacturer. Mistakes can be costly.
A Hot Tub Cover Lifter Extends the Life of Your Hot Tub Cover
It’s more likely your hot tub cover could be damaged as you take it on and off your hot tub without a cover lifter. That damage can affect the cover’s energy efficiency and wind up costing you money in energy bills.
Energy-efficient hot tub covers help you save money on your electricity bill by insulating the water from outside temperatures. They help to hold in the heat.
A hot tub cover is simply too critical to the successful and affordable operation and maintenance of your hot tub to lay it on the ground. You certainly don’t want to scratch it or tear it.
And, worst of all, anecdotal evidence suggests hot tub owners use their hot tubs much less when getting the cover off and on is difficult and time consuming.
No one buys a hot tub just to look at it.
Hire a professional if you want installation that’s done right.
Are There Different Types of Lifters?
Caldera Spas offers four types of its ProLift Hot Tub Cover Lifters. Most have pneumatic gas shocks for smooth, easy movement.
There’s also a range of clearances required, so it’s important to choose a model that fits your spa placement. One model requires only seven inches of clearance, making it ideal for hot tubs placed against a wall or fence. Other models require 14 inches or 24 inches, but those may be best for large hot tubs in open spaces.
Easy opening and closing mean you enjoy your spa more often.
Should I Buy a Spa Cover Lifter from the Manufacturer or a Third Party?
Many engineering principles are involved in designing a hot tub cover lifter for a particular spa model.
Every model is a different shape and size, and every hot tub cover is not equal. Some manufacturers sell covers for their spas that are lighter weight and offer little to no R-factor where insulation is concerned (R-Factor = R-value is a measure of an insulation’s ability to hold in heat and is critical to an energy-efficient hot tub design).
It is critical to choose a cover lifter that properly supports your particular spa cover. The wrong lifter could easily damage your spa or your hot tub cover and that would be ironic since a spa cover lifter is supposed to protect and extend the life of your spa and your spa cover.
Final Thoughts
So, which hot tub cover lifter is right for you?
The right cover lifter depends on which model you purchase. Try folding and unfolding covers with cover lifters at the dealership and see which feels best.
