Choosing a Whirlpool Bathtub, Air Tub or Heated Soaking Tub
What features to consider when purchasing a tub
We developed this guide to help you sort through the piles of information on
bathtubs. Although it won't answer every question, it will give a good
foundation. For more questions - we are here for you: 866-380-0303
Functions: Whirlpool | Air Bath | Combination Bath | Heated Soaking Tub
Style: Alcove | Drop-in | Undermount | Freestanding
Options: Pump
Location | Tile Flange | Inline
Heater | Tub Drain
Considerations: Size | Acrylic
Manufacturers: Americh | Aquatic | Hydro
Systems | Hydro Massage | Jacuzzi | Jason | MTI | Neptune
Would you like a Whirlpool, Air Bath, Combination Whirlpool & Air or Soaking Bath?
• Whirlpool Bathtub
A whirlpool bathtub is best suited for: Those looking to massage sore muscles and joints.
Vigorous, concentrated, deep tissue massage
Some use the term "Jacuzzi" to denote a whirlpool tub. A whirlpool uses a pump (motor) to force the water through the jets. The
amount of force depends on the jet design, horsepower of the pump and the amount
of air added to the water. (There is more volume with less pressure when air is
introduced into the water as it goes through a jet.)
Customized massage
Jets can be adjustable in direction (angle) or volume. The number and location of the
jets are set most of the time. With Neptune and Hydro Systems jets may be
added. Motors can be one or multiple speed. A multiple speed motor with
adjustable volume and direction jets provides for the most customizable massage.
Look for:
• A run dry pump: The pump will not be damaged if accidentally turned on
without water. This is standard with most of the whirlpools we carry, for
others it is an option.
• Piping that can't bow down or hold water: All the baths we carry have this feature. No water will
sit in the pipes only to come out next bath time as … something you don't want
to see. Whirlpool pipes can be cleaned with low foaming dishwasher soap. Fill
the bath, add a few tablespoons, let dissolve and run the system for approx. 7
minutes. How often this needs to be done depends on how often salts and oils are
used.
• Jet location: Where do you want the massage? Back (upper or lower), feet
and hips? Jet location or emphasis varies among the manufactures. Some
manufacturers even offer a handheld jet. Unplug a jet in the bath, plug in the
handheld and direct the jet where needed. Warning – this is not the same as a
handheld shower. If you remove this jet from under the water you will give your room a powerful massage
• Air Bath
An air bath is best suited for: Those looking for a softer, sit back and relax, bubbly massage
Subtle, bubbly massage
An air bath uses a blower to push heated air through multiple small air ports
(holes) in the bottom or lower sides of the bath. There are two air system
styles. Channel - air is forced through a series of channels then through the
air ports. Injector - each air port has a valve that will allow air to go
through but not allow water to get into the system. All the air baths we carry
have a purge system: an automated drying cycle dry air system.
Customized massage
Most air systems have a volume control. The bubbling effect can be at a low
simmer or full power moving the water vigorously. Even at the highest setting
the massage is soft tissue. The force is spread through out the bath, not in
concentrated areas (as in a jetted tub). Many also have a wave and pulse feature –
amount of air is preset to change according to a pattern. There is more noise
with an air bath. It is not the sound of the pump that you here but a “popping
sound” that occurs when the air surfaces from the water.
Look for:
• Air Port Location: The air ports can be located on the floor of the tub or
around the sides near the bottom of the bath. With bottom ports, the bubbles will come
underneath you, directly bubbling against your skin. With ports around the sides,
the air will come out horizontally then up vertically causing the bubbly water
to move around you. Both are good systems, just a matter of preference. Some
manufactures combine both options with ports around the perimeter and on the
bottom. Others add ports to the back.
More Air Bath
Information →
See Aquatic Air Bath Video - See an Air Bath in Action
• Combination Whirlpool & Air Bath
A combination whirlpool & air bath is best suited for: Those wanting total control of their massage possibilities
Varied massage
The best of both worlds: choose a deep tissue massage then lay back with the
bubbles of an air massage. Both systems can be on at the same time. Two
electrical connections are needed – one for the blower and one for the pump.
• Heated Soaking Bath & Soaking Tubs
A HotSoak bathtub is best suited for: Those wanting to soak without losing water temperature
A soak in warm water
will sooth the body, boosts cardiac output, lower blood pressure and
improve circulation. New to the bathing world, a soaking bath with an in-line heater. Soak as long
as you would like with out a drop in water temperature.
Here is a line drawing of Hydro Systems Fusion In-line Heater System for a Soaking Tub
Click Here to See all Heated Soaker Baths Sorted by Size
How is the tub going to be installed?
3-wall Alcove
|
This style of installation requires a rectangular bath. The tub is
placed against three walls. A front skirt hides the mechanics for the whirlpool or
air bath system. An acrylic front skirt is an
option for most rectangular bathtubs. A skirt can also be created from other materials like wood or tile.
Access will be need to the motor or pump. If the bath is also going to function as a
shower look for a tub that is straight up and down by the drain. This will
allow the most room for showering. Avoid baths with seats or uneven
bottoms to avoid trip hazards. |
Drop-in (or Deck Mount) |
A drop-in bath can be any shape. A tub deck is created for the tub (with an opening in the center) and the tub is dropped into the surround. The size of the tub deck is a matter of preference. Access will be needed for the whirlpool pump or air bath motor. |
Undermount |
This installation requires a bath with a flat rim, any shape. The bath edge is mounted under the deck material making the rim of the bath invisible. Make sure to order as an undermount so the electronic controls will either not be installed or installed in a location that won't interfere with the under mounting. Plan for motor/pump access. |
Free Standing |
Free Standing bathtubs are installed away from the wall, even in the middle of the room. They have a skirt that surrounds the bath. Free-standing baths may require a finished drain (the drain will be visible) and a freestanding or wall mounted bath faucet. Most Freestanding tubs are offered as a air bath or soaking tub. Tubz.com offers two freestanding baths in a whirlpool version. Click here to view all Freestanding Air, Whirlpool and Soaking Tubs |
Where is the Pump and/or Blower Located?
This is an important consideration no matter which installation is chosen. It is Murphy's Law: Build access and it won't be needed, don't - and the results may be very scary! Recommendations for access size vary among manufacturers: Jacuzzi 12” x 18”, Hydro Systems 14” x 16”, Aquatic 16” x 16”. Down load the instructions from the manufacturers web site to see what size you will need.
Remote mount blower
It is not recommended to remote the pump or blower unless it is need to gain access. In the tub lines we carry it is difficult to hear the motor over the sound of water movement. Because of this it is not necessary to remote mount to cut down on motor noise. On some freestanding baths and combination tubs the blower will need to be mounted remotely.
What size bathtub?
Part of size will be determined by the space allowed. While that will give
you the length and width – what about depth? Some manufacturers are known for
deep baths. This is great for not having to decide if your knees or chest are
going to be under water, yet, it may be more difficult to use as a shower/bath
combination. Look at the tub's technical sheet. It will give overall height
(how easy to climb into). Also look at depth to overflow (how deep the water
will be on the inside). Another measurement to use when comparing baths is the
bathing well measurement, the length and width of the bottom of the tub. Lean
against a wall and measure from the wall to your toes. Will you be able to
stretch out sufficiently? Another useful measurement is water capacity. Does
your water heater have the need capacity for it? Many things affect this;
temperature of water supply, temperature the heater is set at, distance of
heater from tub and on and on. I found two general rules of thumb: 3/4 and 2/3.
The capacity of the hot water heater needs to be at least 3/4 of the capacity of
the whirlpool. If the whirlpool is 100 gallons the heater needs to be 75
gallon. In the second opinion the heater should be 2/3 of the capacity of the
tub. If the whirlpool is 100 gallons the heater needs to be 67 gallons. So expect a 100 gallon tub to take 67 - 75 gallons of hot water.
Don't forget to check that the tub will fit through the door.
Bathtubs by Size
Click Here for Tubzlady.com (also our site) to view all
our tubs by size, shape or installation choice
What options are available?
Options do vary between manufactures. Here are a few of the standard ones • Tile flange
A tile flange is used when the walls surrounding the bath are
going to be tiled down to the top of the bath.
Drop-in bath - No tile flange:
If there is a gap between the edge of the tub and the wall, or with front
tile apron installation - a tile flange is not needed.
Front Apron - No tile flange:
• Inline heater
An in-line heater will keep the temperature within 1 to 2 degrees of what the
bath water was poured at for as long as the whirlpool is running. When pump is
turned on heater automatically turns on. This is a whirlpool or soaking bath option. With an air
bath there is a heater on the blower system. An Air Bath heater will not maintain the water temperature.
Air Bath Heater
Works differently than an inline heater. It works like a giant hair dryer, warming the room temperature air by approx. 30 degrees then the motor blows it into the bath. It will not maintain water temperature. Both Hydro Systems and Hydro Massage has in-line heater options with their air baths.
• Tub drain
Bathtubs will come with a hole drilled for the drain (in the bottom of the
tub) and one for the overflow (side of the bath). A drain and overflow will be
needed to fill these holes. In most cases they come as a set. Here are some
popular drains:
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Lift & Turn Drain- Reach down to the bottom of the tub and lift and turn it to open the drain. The overflow cover is a flat round disc. |
 |
Cable Waste & Overflow- Reach just below the rim to the overflow, turn the overflow (dial) and a cable will open and close the drain at the bottom of the tub. |
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Soft (or Toe) Touch- Step on the drain to lock it shut, step on it again to open it. Overflow is a flat round disc. |
Why acrylic?
Durable, non-staining, non-fading are just three of the reasons to use acrylic. Two more considerations: any scratches can be removed, cleans up easily with a mild liquid, non-abrasive cleaner.
Copyright 2006 Tubz.com – Researched and written for our customers. Please do not reproduce in whole or in part. Let us know if you are interested in linking to this page. koren@tubz.com
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Whirlpool, Air Baths & Combination Bathtubs
Americh | Aquatic | Hydro Systems | Hydro Massage | Jacuzzi | Jason | MTI | Neptune
