Nowadays there are several types of spas and various options when choosing to buy a spa, all with their advantage and disadvantages, as we will try to explain here. In those options the price, the quality, the kind of delivery and installation and after-sales service … or lack of it vary.
Where to buy a spa?
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One of the fundamental differences is the possibility of seeing the spa physically when the spa is purchased by any sales channel that is not online: Observe the details, the finishes, the real colour of the cabinet and acrylic, with a photo it is really hard to really know what the actual colour of the inside and outside of the jacuzzi is. Be aware of the actual dimensions of the spa when one is really seeing its side: the height with respect to us, the interior space, especially for very tall people, etc.
Another advantage we can find when buying a spa is the personalised treatment in the sale by a specialised person, which is who we will find at the front of a spa showroom. To be able to ask a multitude of questions and doubts that may arise when choosing a spa with a multitude of possible options, questions about transportation and installation of the spa on the surface, semi-recessed or totally recessed.
One of the elements that this spa showroom must allow, and which we must even demand, is to show us the machinery in one or more of the spas they have in the showroom. Look at the type of thermal insulation, it should never cover the pipes or components of the spa, so that a possible breakdown is easy to locate and repair. We can also see the quality of its motors and controllers, without a doubt Balboa is a safe bet, and the quality of the finishes, joints, type of tubes, etc.
Is it safe to buy a spa online?
Without a doubt, the online spa sales world is a reality within the reach of many and that like in the world of commerce, there are companies that are more trustworthy than others. But we should give some serious thought to the following: It is not the same to buy a shirt or a racket online as a spa weighing over 300 kg, with handicaps of dimensions and technical characteristics that should make us think about things seriously.
In our professional experience in this world people have told us about all kinds of experiences: From the delivery of a spa at street level, with the person having to find a crane to place it in the desired place, to the responsibility of looking for an electrician on its own to carry out the start-up, with the customer assuming the risk that with any possible failure it is responsible for having done something wrong in the 1st connection. A minor detail, but of great importance is the delivery of the spa without a cover, which is essential for the conservation of the acrylic in perfect conditions and to maintain the temperature of the water to avoid excessive electricity consumption, as it is something optional and that nobody had explained to them was so important.
This is why savings on the price of the spas for sale by internet, prices that sometimes we should be suspicious due to being too cheap, should be weighed against a spa seen in a shop, installed by professionals and with an after-sales warranty in accordance with Spanish legislation.
Spanish Spas or Imported Spas?
Obviously finding the balance between price, service and quality is the key to making a decision as important as buying a spa. There are many importers in the Spanish market with great experience and proven reliability but depending on the place of origin of the manufacturing of the spas, there may be many differences.
Chinese spas usually tend to have lower qualities, electrical consumption in general that is quite high and uncertain delivery times, shipping and port management can drag on, with any luck in two months, so if our idea was to enjoy the spa in the summer we would have to start thinking about it in February or March.
On the other hand, American spas and Australian spas usually offer a much higher quality and companies with many years of experience in the sector. The problem may also be the transport time and the possible delay in receiving spare parts.
Spanish spas offer advantages in quality, service and manufacturing on demand in less than three weeks. Not to talk about the after-sales service with official technical services throughout the national territory. In our case, our Aquavia spa spas, manufactured by the largest spa manufacturer in Europe, with presence in all markets since 1988, allows us to offer the longest warranties in the market: All Aquavia Spa Jacuzzis are designed and manufactured in Spain, with top quality materials and components that offer total reliability and a durability that exceeds the long terms of their warranties:
15-year warranty anticorrosion of its metallic structures.
5-year warranty of the acrylic materials
2-year warranty for the components.
Even so, after the warranty period, the buyer can still contact Aquavia Spa’s extensive after-sales service network to purchase any spare parts and spares it needs for its spa.
Combining everything mentioned above with the possibility of visiting our spa showrooms in Barcelona and Madrid, without a doubt, the price is not the only option to take into account when buying a spa that must be in perfect conditions for many years in our home and that our closest family and friends will enjoy.
Does a Spa have to be installed by Professionals?
The spa buyer must demand the manufacturer’s warranty, just as we would demand it without hesitation before buying a vehicle or a television. We apparently forget this when we purchase an imported spa and especially if we do so online.
This also applies to the installation service, that the first start-up is performed by a technician authorised by the manufacturer not only implies that the spa works correctly and safely but that in turn we can demand that under warranty it repairs any fault or problem that might arise at the start or during the during the entire warranty period.
In the case of our spas, top-quality materials are used in the construction that ensure excellent performance of all the components and a long life of the Aquavia Spa articles. Even so, all the spas have their structure guaranteed for 15 years, the acrylic materials for 5 years and the components of extremely high reliability for 2 years.
Low Consumption Spas?
When we decide buy a spa to enjoy a spa at home we have to take into account many things as we are seeing, mainly good value for money, but still there is a very important element: the electrical installation!
For a spa to be installed in practically 90% of private houses it must have the possibility that its operation to be in the “low consumption” option. This means that while the massage pumps are working the electrical resistance will not work at that moment. This way the total kW of the spa is not added to its consumption with the operation of the pumps and the resistances at the same time.
You can also request the ECO SPA option: The EcoSpa Option reduces power consumption by 76%, allowing savings of up to 4,700 kW per year (maintaining the device at a constant temperature of 38 °C in an ambient environment of 20 °C).
Consumption with EcoSpa:
Start-up heating the water from 20 °C to 38 °C. Consumption: 22 kWh. Cost: €3.4 Operation maintaining the water at 38 °C. Consumption: 6.48 kWh. Cost: €0.81 /day.
Consumption without EcoSpa:
Start-up heating the water from 20 °C to 38 °C. Consumption: 22 kWh. Cost: €4.4
Operation maintaining the water at 38 °C. Consumption: 19.52 kWh. Cost: €2.44 / day.
The annual savings made are €595 (4,759.6 kWh), considering a price of €0.125/kWh, an ambient temperature of 20 °C, a spa with EcoSpa cover and a volume of 980 litres.
EcoSpa reduces heat loss through convection and conduction at the same time as using all the heat generated by the heater itself and by the spa pumps.
The system combines a cover designed specifically for the use of waste heat generated with a total sealing of the shell and special insulation of the sides and floor. The entire device is produced with materials with high thermal retention and specific thicknesses. The sides and the floor of the spa are insulated with polyurethane and aluminium foams.
All articles in the Aquavia Spa catalogue are efficient from the energy saving and environmental sustainability perspective. But having the chance, especially in some especially cool areas, to incorporate the EcoSpa system option is undoubtedly an added value for all our spas.
Tips for Buying a Spa
In short, the elements that offer us maximum guarantees when buying our spa can be summarised in the following points that we have developed in this post:
– Recognised manufacturer with extensive experience.
– Trustworthy and reliable company.
– Having a shop or showroom that allows us to see the spa.
– That they offer us the chance to have an authorised technician to perform the first start-up of the spa.
– Require the Warranty Certificate approved by the EEC.
– Demand the warranty that protects us in Spain.
– Ensure that we will have spare parts available, at least and required by law, during the 15 years following the purchase of the spa.
