FAQs
What makes Urban Cedar Hybrid Hot Tubs different?
FAQs
Our hot tubs have been designed with the looks of a solid cedar hot tub combined with the superior comfort, lower running costs and maintenance of a modern, acrylic hot tub. The contemporary design is far superior visually to the plastic cabinets on other companies' hot tubs. Urban Cedar is the ONLY HOT TUB COMPANY featuring a high-quality acrylic interior with a solid cedar cabinet and marine-grade stainless steel bands.
Urban Cedar also uses a master carpenter to craft the cedar cabinets, which are then fitted by our team to our hot tubs. To complement our hot tub, our master carpenter has also handcrafted a range of cedar steps and shelves which match the hot tub perfectly. It’s this attention to detail which showcases Urban Cedar as the market leader in Hybrid Cedar hot tub, which can only be purchased directly from us. Our design is only as good as the service we offer, and with over 20 years of experience in the hot tub industry and over 200 five-star reviews on Google and Facebook, you are in very safe hands.
We only use the latest technology in our hot tubs, which include WiFi connectivity so your hot tub can be operated using a smartphone, programmable heaters which allow you to use low cost over-night electricity and superior insulation primarily for heat insulation, but also an excellent sound insulator.
How does delivery & installation work?
Once you have placed the order, an electrical guide will be emailed to you. With this, you will need to contact an electrician and have a rotary isolation switch fitted. Three weeks before delivery, the team will email you a short Q&A to confirm timings and so we can double-check all the delivery details so everything runs smoothly on the day.
In situations where access is limited, we will look at other means of getting the Hot Tub in; this can vary from using a sledge, a crane or in some circumstances even rolling the Hot Tub.
On the day of delivery, the team will arrive during a 1-hour time slot and will remain on site for 2-3 hours. Once they arrive on site, they will move the Hot Tub into place using a special trolley system that allows for easy moving. Once the Hot Tub is in place, they will discuss the positioning with you and liaise with the electrician, who will also need to be present. They will then begin filling the Hot Tub. Once it is full, they will test it before giving you a full demonstration, before answering any questions or queries you may have on the Hot Tub.
What water supply is required?
The Hot Tub is designed to be as easy to maintain as possible, so there is no fixed water connection. The Hot Tub is filled and drained using your standard garden hose.
What power supply is required?
The Hot Tub can either have a 16-amp or 13-amp supply, which is determined by the below:
16amp - This allows the Hot Tub to have a 3Kw Heater, which will heat the Hot Tub at 3-4º per hour. This would need to be hard-wired into a rotary isolation switch by an electrician. It will need to be fitted before the installation, and then the electrician will be required to be in attendance on the day of installation to make the final connection.
13amp - This allows the Hot Tub to have a 2Kw Heater, which will heat the Hot Tub at 2-3º °C per hour. This would be supplied on a standard 3-pin plug with RCD protection, so no electrician will be required.
Most clients opt for the 16-amp supply due to the faster heat-up time.
What clearance do I need for a Cover Lifter?
For a Cover Lifter to be fitted, we recommend that you have a minimum of 3ft behind the Hot Tub. This allows for enough room for the lid to cantilever into place and safely come off the Hot Tub without any risk of damage.
Energy efficiency?
The Hot Tub is fitted with a programmable heater. This means that if you have low-cost electricity overnight, then you can program it to do the majority of its heating and filtering during this time, which can reduce your running costs by up to 75%
The Hot Tub is extremely well insulated with a 5-layer system. This consists of #1 a thick layer of insulation on the inside of the acrylic liner, followed by #2 an air cavity which retains heat inside the cabinet. We then use thermal foil to #3 insulate the floor and #4 inside of the cabinet. The #5 layer on insulation is the solid cedar cabinet, which is an excellent, natural insulator.
Noise?
The Hot Tub is extremely quiet due to the 5-layer insulation and quality components fitted to the hot tubs. So much so, when you are relaxing in the hot tub, all you can hear is the sound of the water and bubbles coming out of the jets.
Running costs?
Typical running costs are £1.50-£2.00 per day, depending on the size of the hot tub and also the external temperature/location of the hot tub. All of our hot tubs feature programmable heaters, and setting the hot tub to heat using low-cost overnight electricity can reduce your running costs to as low as 50p per day. Our recommendation is Octopus Energy, which many of our clients use and have rates as low as 7p/kWh.
What can the hot tub sit on?
The Hot Tub has a flat plastic base that can go directly onto a patio, concrete base or decking (subject to checking). All of our hot tubs have the power unit recessed inside the cedar cabinet for a contemporary design and also ease of installation.
What is the maintenance?
Daily Care
Testing & balancing the water
Use your test strips to check the Alkalinity, pH, and Chlorine levels. Adjust the chemical levels if needed:
- Alkalinity should be balanced first (acts as a buffer for pH).
- pH should be in the correct range to avoid irritation or cloudy water.
- Chlorine keeps the water clean and safe to use.
This only takes a few minutes each day but makes a big difference in keeping your spa water fresh.
Weekly Care
Cleaning the filter
Once a week, remove the filter and give it a clean. You can do this by running a garden hose through the filter fins to wash away dirt and debris. For a deeper clean, use a filter cleaning spray or soak it in a filter cleaning solution. A clean filter keeps the water circulating properly and ensures your spa runs efficiently.
Monthly Care
Drain & refill
Every 1-3 months (this may vary depending on how often you use the hot tub and how well you’ve kept up with daily/weekly care), you’ll need to completely change the water
- The hot tub must be switched off when draining.
- Drain all the water from the tub.
- Clean the interior if needed.
- Refill with fresh water, purge the air, set the internal clock allow it to heat.
- Balance the chemicals as if it’s brand new.
Fresh water not only feels better but also protects the Hot Tub components and is easier to balance.