We all know that a hot tub is called a hot tub because it’s piping hot, not lukewarm or cold. That's why we love them.

The name “spa” conjures up a steaming, bubbling refuge from the stress of daily life. So when the hot tub or spa isn’t getting hot enough or is downright cold, that’s a big problem. While it’s always best to consult your manual and possibly call a professional technician to assist in repairs, there are a few reasons why your hot tub or spa may not be living up to its name. It may not be that your master spa heater is not working; the problem might be in your filtration system. If the filter has to struggle or work really hard to pull water through the heating system, the heated water will not be able to move through the hot tub and do its job of relaxing you. This is easy to check: look to see if the water is moving around in the spa. If the filtration system is not working, the next thing to do is to turn off the breakers in the control panel of your hot tub and turn off the power. Remove your filters for a thorough soak and cleaning. Use a good filter cleaner and plenty of water. If your filters are sparkling clean and the pump is working well, it may be the heater that is causing the issue. Working with the components of your hot tub may require a professional technician, especially the electrical elements. After carefully making sure the power is off to the hot tub, open the control panel and check the thermostat. The thermostat controls how hot the water should be. If the sensors are working correctly, move on to check the breakers. If the electrical current is flowing properly through the breakers, it’s time to check the heater. Your hot tub may have a hi-limit switch that needs to be found and pushed to reset the heater. If you have found and pushed that, check the heating element with a multimeter or amp meter to ensure voltage is running through it. The heating element in the spa or hot tub can sometimes develop scale buildup or burn out, so check it for overheating or buildup. Quick fixes include checking the GFCI outlet to see if it’s been tripped, making sure all doors to spa elements are fully closed or inserted, checking the spa cover to make sure it’s not letting heat out through cracks or gaps, and checking wires for loose connections or rodent bite marks. Your spa or hot tub should be as hot as you want it when you are ready to enjoy it. If it’s not, check these things in this order. And always remember, your trusty helper at Master Spa Parts is always ready to answer any questions you may have!