Ford Hot Spring Spa Pools Tauranga is a proud Kiwi and family-owned business operating for 50 years in the heart of Tauranga. Originally owned by the late Max Ford, it was taken over by his son Jason Ford in 1997. Originally electricians by trade, the team turned their expertise to spa pools when the mount became a holiday destination and is now one of the longest running Hot Spring Spa dealers in New Zealand.

Since New Zealand's first lockdown last year, demand for spa pools and swim spas exploded in the region, as Kiwis have traded holidays for “staycations”. While a vast number of locals search for that “holiday away from home” feel, many locals are equally seeking the health and wellbeing benefits that are well-known when owning a spa only steps from your backdoor.

While a holiday away from home once or twice a year is memorable, many Hot Spring customers make "spa time" part of their daily routine. Even when used daily, a high-quality spa can last 15 to 20 years or longer with proper maintenance.

HOT SPRING SPAS - MADE TO LAST

Meet Hot Spring customers Anne and Henry from Ohope – Hot Spring Spa customers of 15 years.

Over the many years selling and servicing spas to the wider Bay of Plenty, Jason says he’s delighted to speak with customers who purchased from him back in the late 1990s. “It reminds us how great this product is, how well they last and how much enjoyment our customers get from these products.” It’s a testimony to the quality of Hot Spring Spas. They’re made to last.

So, when shopping around for a spa here’re few key things Jason and his team recommends checking before signing your purchase agreement.

YOU CAN’T PAY A LITTLE AND GET A LOT
Usually, the sticker price is at the forefront of a buyer's mind. Everyone loves a good deal. However, this is often compromised by spa materials in the manufacturing process including important spa features such as insulation, plumbing, jet pumps and shell materials. Jason says “it’s unfortunate, these reduced materials can be a major hidden trap – the electricity required to heat a poorly insulated spa can cost up to $2000 more a year.”

Energy efficiency should be right at the top of your checklist when choosing your ideal spa for your home. When a spa is energy efficient, it uses less power to do the same job, so it will cost you much less in the long run.

Some spa companies focus on one key-feature of their spa to push the energy efficiency of their product. But if the spa hasn’t been designed to save energy across all spa features, the initial cost savings on the product are lost with higher running costs.

You can see why it’s better to invest in a spa with components that contribute to its overall efficiency as it will save you huge amounts in the long term. Other spas can be more than twice as expensive to run.

Every Hot Spring® Spa has been designed to save energy with:

• pumps that draw less power than a lightbulb
• multiple layers of high-density foam that insulates a spa pool in a way no other spa manufacturers can
• tight-fitting custom-made spa covers with a high R-value
• low energy LED lights as standard in all models
• smart jets that only allow water pressure to be used where and when you need it – saving money and pump costs
• the heat radiated off the pumps being sucked up and transferred to the spa water

BUY FROM PEOPLE YOU CAN TRUST
Jason says, “a spa is a big purchase, so you need to trust that the people you're buying from are giving you good advice.” Unfortunately, this isn't always the case from some spa pool suppliers. With a Consumer NZ report finding that some spa pools can cost $30 a week to run, it’s important to understand the full cost that could be hiding behind a good deal.
When considering a spa product which should last for decades, quality manufacturing is essential. Hot Spring spas are manufactured in the USA and must meet high quality control standards. Other spa manufactures have to reduce materials to meet lower price points which substituted on quality. This means you could run into problems with spa materials breakdown or degrading more quickly than expected.

ASK RIGHT QUESTIONS FIRST, AVOID ISSUES LATER
Of course, all low-cost spas are not created equal. Sometimes, you may be able to get a true bargain without astronomical ongoing costs. The key is knowing what to look for and what to ask the retailer. It’s important to look at independent reports and certification – don’t just believe whatever the salesperson tells you.

Before you buy, ask for

• A test report for electrical approval
• A certified, independent report on running costs
• Proof of suction outlet safety
• A list of dealers that carry spare parts
• A comprehensive written warranty that covers parts and labour at least 12 months
• Information on installation costs

If your retailer isn’t able to provide these answers, it’s worth looking elsewhere – no matter how tempting the low sticker price is. Cheap manufactured spa pools can be much more expensive than they seem. Make sure you do your due diligence and to help, we have more information of the true cost of running a spa pool. You'll be surprised by just how affordable it really is.

The licensed in-house electricians remain, reassuring customers that expert help is always at hand. At Ford Hot Spring Spa Poola Tauranga, our team of experts will help you find the spa pool that best suits your needs and can talk you through the entire spa ownership experience, from installation and maintenance to selling or trading up. Want to learn more about Hot Spring Spa range? Get in touch with the team today.

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