LAguy

This is a great write up, but I am a complete newbie and it's very confusing. Had my spa a week and getting cloudy water and scum on the sides. I'm really overwhelmed because I have tested (with strips) and tried to keep things balanced. Ultra Management Water System (LA SPas). It has an ozinator and 24 hour pump. Using Chlorine method and have a mineral stick. Started with Metal Gone and have put in things like Enzyme, Defender and Bright and clear and Foam gone, and Renew. The thing should be sparkling. The dealer said it is so easy. Just shock the system a few times a week and add a little chlorine a few times a week. Ummmm.... not so easy. My calcium level is a little low, so maybe that is throwing everything off. Also doesn't the ozone eat away the chlorine so what is the proper balance to maintain? Pulling my hair out!

It will go out of the sides if there is no insulation. LA Guy is still buying spa with insulation just not full foam. If the salesman wanted to earn a bit extra he would of tried to talk him into buying the full foam option. The cover will therefore make a difference, I know when I upgraded mine it reduced energy consumption. Stuart do you have the full foam? As far as being CEC compliant, he showed me an independent study that did state it was compliant.

I wet-tested the following brands: Caldera, Sundance, Artesian, Resort Spas, Hot Springs, Jacuzzi, LA Spas and D1. I would say that is some pretty thorough investigation. I know all of the features and options on these brands. As far as the ozone system with LA Spas it is part of the Ultra Water Management System which includes the 24-circ pump. Not everyone wants ozone so they give you the option which is nice. The filters can literally be machine washed and can last 1-2 years depending on use. Really great idea and patented by LA Spas. The jets are really amazing and the seating is more comfortable of any brand I tried. If you prefer a more contoured seat, this spa fit my body best. The lounge chair feels like you are sitting in a cock pit of some sort with heel indents so you don't float away and HUGE foot jets. The Ultimate Water FX are beautiful streams of water like you see in high end pools. Waterfalls through pillows so your neck is kept warm. They really thought of everything. The sales person really convinced me not to get full foam. He said they have not been putting full foam on these spas for over 20 years unless requested and you are in a super cold climate. He explained about the way they were made which is more than I can understand, but at some point you have to trust somebody. If they could make a few hundred bucks off me, why wouldn't they? He threw in a 5" thermal cover to quell my concerns about energy loss. So they are making it starting Monday and should be delivered in two weeks. I will let you know how it goes!

All interesting points. Although I checked my energy KWH and the top is $.13 . Not as bad as $.39 Is there any benefit from a lower amount of noise if it is fully foamed? By the way I am looking into an LA Spas Heet. I've wet tested all of the big brands and this model seems to have it all. Plus all the fun bells and whistles (I know, I know). http://www.laspas.com/spa_builder.php?model_id=14

Wow. You guys are amazing. Thanks for helping a newbie!

I have had two different dealers telling me two different things about getting full foam. I live in Los Angeles and one says you "Absolutely do not need it because 90% of heat evaporates from the top. For the little bit that evaporates through the sides, which would be about $2.00 every month, it is worth it to be able to access the equipment whenever needed. If there are leaks it is very difficult to find them with full foam." A dealer from a different company that has many tubs with full foam already installed said "It is absolutely needed even in LA because it makes a huge difference in energy efficiency." Very confused! Thoughts anyone?

Thankyou for your comment, about the set up, it was hard work but worth it. Regarding the meter I managed to borrow a landlords meter from work. I have a sub board and I fitted it there. Any electrician could fit one. There is a cheaper way to monitor the spa power consumption. You can buy an energy meter which you clamp around the line and it will measure the energy usage, however I do not know how accurate these are. Another question for the distinguished panel! Full foam insulation or not? One dealer told me it is not needed at all. Makes it difficult to get to components. Another one told me it really helps with efficiency. I live in Los Angeles so not a really cold climate. Yes or no?

Thank you. That is very helpful. I didn't know you can fit spas with their own meters. Is that something the installer needs to do? You have a beautiful set up by the way. Great photos.

I'll tell you what I tell some of my customers...don't get tied up too much with the "bells & whistles" because after the "new tub excitement" wears off you won't care about all the extra bells & whistles, what you will care about is how much the thing costs a month to run, is it easy to keep the water clear, meaning good filtration and circulation and is it something that will hold up over 10+ years outside in the elements...good luck SO what do you suggest? I've wet tested a few already.

It has ozone, blower, waterfall, 4 port water feature, the led colored lights that you never use, 2 pumps, cover, and steps. 1 lounge, 2 corner seats w/ neck jets, and 2 other seats. Yep sounds exactly like mine. What is the blower for? Are the lights too bright to use? Also have you figured out how much it raised your electric bill? This is the only spa I cannot find an energy efficiency rating listed which concerns me.

That is what I figured. Just don't know that brand very well. It looks like a great spa though if you like hydrotherapy and the bells and whistles to go along with it.

Well the "cost price" on the actual tub was $6950. Then there are all the add ons like full foam, circ pump, lighting, premium waterfalls, water management system. No stereo though. I feel it is high too. The person that paid $8000 - can you tell me what features yours has? Thanks!

Brand new here, so thanks for any advice you can give. I have been looking into spas in pretty good detail and I think the LA Spas H.E.E.T. model probably fits everything I need. I went to a dealer that was having a "black friday" sale yesterday and he quoted me a price of $10,000 (out the door) for the 61 jet model with all the water features, lighting, circ pump and full foam and delivery/setup. He said retail was $15,000. He showed me some email from the company showing this was an at cost price because they were making room for 2011 models. I just find this price to be high for an LA SPA. There are other better brand names for less. Anybody have any feedback on this? I have to buy it this weekend for that 'special' price. I don't know if I can trust this dealer or not. ALSO any feedback on LA Spas as a brand? Good one to go with? Thanks much!