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The Pup

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Spa Savant

Spa Savant (3/5)

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  1. More the 2 years of use and no issues or concerns; it still looks new and we are very happy with the Catalina's performance.
  2. Thank you Sir. I will get my water tested for iron.
  3. The following picture shows information on my city water. Question, do I need to use a metal sequestrant (such as Leisure Time Metal Gon) at very refill? I have never noticed staining in the past (or brown water). In fact, the water at the tap is always perfectly balanced from the start. Note: I am currently using a Bromine 3-Step method. Definitions µS/cm = measure of specific conductance n/a = not applicable ND = not detected NTU = nephelometric turbidity unit pCi/L = picoCuries per liter (measure of radioactivity) ppb = parts per billion (micrograms per liter) ppm = parts per million (milligrams per liter) SMCL = secondary maximum contaminant level Public Health Goal (PHG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. PHGs are set by the California Environmental Protection Agency. Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs are set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. Primary MCLs are set as close to the PHGs (or MCLGs) as are economically and technologically feasible. Secondary MCLs are set to protect the odor, taste, and appearance of drinking water. Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. Notification Level (NL): A health-based advisory level for an unregulated contaminant in drinking water. It is used by the California Department of Public Health to provide guidance to drinking water systems. Primary Drinking Water Standard (PDWS): MCLs and MRDLs for contaminants that affect health, along with their monitoring, reporting, and water treatment requirements. Regulatory Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other required action by the water provider. Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
  4. I have an '08 HS Sovereign and it has been a good spa so far.
  5. Good job...I hope it holds tight and dry.
  6. I do not know about cost, but my neighbor's Trex Redwood colored deck around his pool is fading and I believe it has a slight warping problem...he is not happy and told me he was not getting anywhere with the manufacture (I do not know the specifics). He installed his deck a few years ago, so maybe the fading issue is now improved with current production.
  7. Rain and snowfall are some of my favorite spa moments.
  8. I have continuously owned spas since the early '70s and average 3-5 soaks per week for 20-50 minutes at 100F.
  9. Here's what the Hot Spring web site states it should cost to run a HS Sovereign (115VAC circuit): http://www.hotspring.com/Spa_Showroom_Hot_...efficiency.html The average monthly cost* to operate a Hot Spring spa in a 55F average climate (similar to St. Louis, MO) at a rate of 20¢/per kilowatt hour would be: $ 38.40 Remember, your actual cost will vary based upon the model you select and your usage pattern. * Based on a 115 volt Sovereign® spa set at 102°F used 6 times per week; 15 minutes with the jets on, 15 minutes with the jets off during each use. Testing conducted in a Controlled Environment Chamber using continuous Data Acquisition monitoring equipment including Continuous Progression Kilowatt Recording meters, Voltage Measurement probes, Current Measurement probes, Relative Humidity Chamber Measurement probes and Thermocouple probes. We keep our HS (230VAC circuit) spa at 100F, but use the spa for up to 50 minutes 3-5 times per week with about twice the jet run time. Our climate is drier than St Louis, but equivalent in average temperature (56F, but cooler at night during the spring, summer and fall seasons).
  10. We should only compare monthly spa cost in relation to a given energy cost. With respect to my average SoCal tiered energy rates...your spa averages only 3.33kW per day energy use throughout the year...which is very good indeed. Note: Our other home's 420 gallon spa ranges from $19-to-$45 throughout the year with basically the same climate, use and rates. Regarding the HS, it does not vary much throughout the year and I think the $60.00/month energy bill for SoCal is well within reason. However, someone recently posted that one HS spa uses a 24/7 circulation pump drawing only 50W (I have a friend who has a Grandee that draws around 250W). If I understand correctly, at my energy rates, that 50W spa only cost about $8/month before any additional non-circ-pump heating (if needed) or higher horsepower therapeutic jet action takes place. If someone is attributing their HS spa to a $100 or $150 monthly energy cost spike, either they are paying a higher energy use rate, reside at the North Pole, not truly observing the spa's isolated energy use, or there is something wrong with the spa (drawing too much current).
  11. I own a K2106 Bromine kit and it is easy and accurate. I also use test strips for quick readings and have no problems either. I understand many people cannot interpret the test strip readings consistently, but for me...I use/read them the same each time and the results are very closely confirmed by the K2106. There is no reason to mess about with test strips...when using a Taylor works so well.
  12. I received a dozen 50-count Leisure Time test strips with a new spa last year; prior, I had used a K2106 exclusively. I have no trouble using test strips, but it may be due to my preconditioning while using the Taylor kit and then adapting to the test strips for my "casual" or quick before-use checks. You picked a good test kit...so no worries (unless you are color-gradient challenged).
  13. My HS Sovereign runs me about $60 per month (at $0.20/kW) on average (100F water, 3-5 times use per week for 20-50 minutes each, ambient high desert average temps of 56F [winter] and 96F [summer] with mid 20F lows). To be sure, it cost money to operate and maintain a spa...that is just the way it is. However, with the newer HS models you are considering, you are buying a highly thermal/energy efficient spa (you would be hard pressed to reduce energy costs in any significant or material way with regards to current traditional spa offerings). Perhaps there are natural gas, solar heat or wind powered supplementary options to consider to try to get you off the grid...but I guess there is no free lunch with those either. A luxury item like a spa does therapeutic wonders for relaxing my tired old body...it is well worth the price to me, it may be the same for you once you get used to the idea of the true ownership costs with respect to your discretionary budget.
  14. The difference between my '08 HS Sovereign and my '09 Catalina Quebec are somewhat significant (my Catalina uses even less energy and is by far our family's first choice all-around). Regardless, both are great spas and seem to use an expected amount of energy. Also, I live in the high desert with lows in the mid '20s and summer highs in the 90-100F range (averages of 56F [winter] and 96F [summer])...this could be a measurable difference between our situations. Note: I have used my in-line Watt meter all around the house now and I know what all of the big energy user pigs are...and I found out my LED foot-well lights (we have several throughout one of our homes) each use $0.75 per year to operate!
  15. I believe it is the same, just a different delivery systems (filter vs in-line vs. floater):
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