Spas & Pools

FreshWater IQ is a spa that tests its own water every hour, tells you what it needs, and — on the newest version — dispenses the fix when you tap a button. Here’s how it actually works: the three-system chain, the solid-state sensor, what the dashboard means, how Precision Dosing really operates, and the start-up order that makes or breaks it.

Nobody buys a hot tub for the insulation — but in Idaho, it’s the biggest factor in what the spa costs to run and whether it survives a January outage. Here’s how Hot Spring’s multi-density full foam, Watkins’ FiberCor, and Sundance’s full foam with the SunStrong frame actually work, side by side, and what it means for your winter.

Every Sundance spa has a quiet system in its equipment bay that most owners never think about — until they notice how little chlorine they’re using. Here’s how CLEARRAY Active Oxygen actually works: why ozone and UV-C together beat either alone, the five-step cycle, what “active oxygen” really means, and what the system does and doesn’t do.

“Salt water hot tub” is one of the most misunderstood phrases in the industry. The FreshWater Salt System isn’t chlorine-free and it isn’t ocean water — it’s precise chemistry. Here’s how it actually works, what the Output Level really controls, the correct start-up sequence, the chemistry targets, and what it won’t work with.

FROG makes hot tub water care simple — but with two systems, several formats, SmartChlor, and Jump Start, it helps to see it all in one place. Here's the complete guide: @ease vs. Serene, how self-regulating SmartChlor works, a step-by-step start-up, your routine, and the mistakes to avoid.

Do you need a permit for a hot tub in Idaho? It depends on where you live. This guide covers electrical permits, when a building permit applies, the fence-and-barrier rules (and why your locking cover likely already meets code), and how requirements change by city and county.

Your hot tub cover is doing more work than any other part of your spa — keeping heat in, your bills down, your family safe, and your tub protected. Here's how to choose one that fits and insulates, what R-value and foam density mean, and when to replace a tired cover.

If you're a brand-new hot tub owner, water chemistry can feel intimidating — strips that turn five colors at once, a shelf of mysterious bottles, terms like "total alkalinity." But the truth is, water care is genuinely simple once you understand what you're doing and why. You don't need a chemistry degree; you need four numbers and a simple weekly rhythm. This beginner's guide explains it all in plain English — sanitizer, pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness — and tackles something most generic guides skip: Idaho's water. Much of our state runs on hard water and private wells, which bring minerals that change how you care for your spa. Here's how to get clear, clean, comfortable water with just a few minutes a week.

It seems impossible that a tub of 104°F water could freeze — but when East Idaho temperatures crash and something goes wrong, a frozen hot tub becomes one of the most expensive mistakes a homeowner can make. And because freeze damage is preventable, it's usually not covered by warranty. This guide explains exactly how freezing happens (it starts in the plumbing, not the main body of water), what's at risk, and the four ways East Idaho spas actually freeze. Then it lays out a complete prevention plan — everyday winter protection, a power-outage strategy, warning signs to watch for, and a freeze-risk breakdown by location from Idaho Falls to Island Park. Keep it running, keep it covered, have a plan.

A hot tub isn't a plug-and-play appliance you set in a corner — it's a 3,000–6,000+ pound installation that needs a proper foundation, dedicated 240V electrical, clear delivery access, and a correct startup. Plan ahead and it's smooth; skip a step and your spa ends up stuck on the driveway or waiting two weeks for an electrician. This guide walks through every stage of an Idaho installation: the timeline from purchase to first soak, choosing a location, foundation options, electrical requirements, delivery and access (including when you need a crane), permits, and startup. Everything you need to know before your spa arrives.

Hot Tub Serum’s Cashmere line is more than just a water conditioner—it’s a way to elevate your entire hot tub experience. By transforming your hot tub water into a soft, silky, and crystal-clear haven, Cashmere ensures that every soak is a rejuvenating escape. Plus, the added skin-conditioning benefits make it an indulgent treat for your body as well.