Frequently Asked Questions
Our customers always come up with good questions about their spas, fireplaces, barbecues, and saunas. We thought we would share some of those with you here. If you have a question of your own, stop by any of our Detroit-area retail locations, give us a call, or send us an email.
SPAS
Q: ON WHAT SURFACE CAN I PLACE MY SPA?
A: A spa can be placed on any level surface, such as a deck, cement slab or brick pager patio. These are all acceptable platforms that can be used. Proper drainage around the spa should be taken into consideration also.
Q: IS MY DECK STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD MY SPA?
A: The majority of spas on the market today weigh less than 100 lbs. per square foot when filled with water. Any deck built to code would support 275 lbs. per square foot. That would allow any spa we sell to be placed on it with proper support.
Q: WHAT ARE THE ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR A JACUZZI SPA?
A: The 220 volt Jacuzzi spa requires a dedicated 220volt 50 amp GFCI protected service. A #6 3-wire (2 hots and a ground wire) is all that is needed. The Jacuzzi 110-220 volt convertible pack comes with a 110 volt plug attached to the spa and requires a 110volt 20 amp dedicated electrical outlet to plug into.
Q: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO RUN A SPA?
A: The Jacuzzi 220volt spas will cost about a dollar a day to operate. The 110volt spa will cost about 20% less to operate. This is based on using the spa 3 to 4 times a week at about an hour per use.
Q: WHAT IS THE AVERAGE COST TO INSTALL A SPA ELECTRICALLY?
A: A qualified licensed electrician is required to wire your spa. The average cost will be in the range of $450 to $750 depending on your existing electrical service and length of run. You must use COPPER wire. (Do Not use aluminum wire)
Q: WHAT IS INVOLVED IN MAINTAINING MY SPA?
A: See Spa Maintenance Guide.
Q: WHAT KIND OF CHEMICALS SHOULD I USE IN MY HOT TUB?
A: Chlorine Granuals (FOR SPAS) Depending on the size of your tub you would add the granuals when you get out, they will kill any bacteria and disolve, so the next time you get in, your getting in clean water rather than any lingering chemicals.
Q: WHAT KIND OF SURFACE SHOULD I SET MY TUB (SPA) ON?
A: Something that is flat & stable, such as, a 4” concrete slab, a deck, solid paver stones, easy pad or even 4x4’s evenly separated & filled with pea gravel.
FIREPLACES Q: CAN I GET HEAT FROM MY GAS LOGS?
A: There are 2 types of gas logs; vented and vent free. With a vented gas log you will get a little heat but because your flue has to be completely open you are actually losing more heat than you will receive. Vent free logs on the other hand give you the ability to close your flue and use the fireplace as a heat source.
Q: IS A VENT FREE FIREPLACE SAFE?
A: Yes, and they have been used for many years now. Vent free fireplaces come equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor, which will detect any unsafe levels of carbon monoxide and shut the system down. These types of gas logs are also approached by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Q: WHERE CAN I PUT A VENT FREE FIREPLACE?
A: A vent free fireplace is approved to be placed anywhere in the home that is not a “confined space”. They cannot be installed in a bedroom because of the depletion of air and oxygen. You cannot have anything in a bedroom that produces more than 10,000 BTU.
Q: WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED COST TO OPERATE THESE GAS LOGS?
A: Depending on the BTU output, a vented logset can run you around $0.60 to $0.80 an hour. Cent free will cost you in the range of $0.20 to $0.30 per hour.
Q: WHAT IS A DIRECT VENT FIREPLACE?
A: This type of fireplace is distinguished by its sealed glass front. This design prevents any heat from escaping the home through the flue, and radiates heat from the glass into the room. The vent pipe handles the exchange of fresh air and exhaust.
Q: WHERE CAN I PUT A DIRECT VENT FIREPLACE?
A: You can virtually put this type of fireplace anywhere. There are many applications for installation because this fireplace can be vented vertically or horizontally.
Q: CAN I PUT A MANTLE /SURROUND AROUND MY EXISTING FIREPLACE?
A: Yes. They come in special order and pre-fab style. You would need to measure the tile surround along with any openings.
Q: WHAT KIND OF FIREPLACES ARE BEST FOR A BASEMENT APPLICATION?
A: Vent-free fireplaces are the easiest and most economical to install. As far as both cost of installation and operational cost.
Q: WHAT IS APRE-FAB OR ZERO CLEARANCE FIREPLACE?
A: This is a manufactured fireplace out of metal with air circulation installed in most new homes today.
Q: WHAT KIND OF PIPE DO I NEED FOR A WOOD STOVE?
A: A single wall black or close clearance double wall black to the point you would break surface of a wall or ceiling. Then you must continue with a 2100 degree chimney pipe to the point where you would be 2-foot above the peak or ten feet away from the roof line.
Q: WHAT KIND OF FIREPLACE IS BEST FOR A BEDROOM APPLICATION?
A: Direct vent fireplaces are the only fireplaces that most building inspectors will approve. Electric is also permissible, but not very efficient.
Q: WHAT SIZE GLASS DOOR DO I NEED?
A: This depends on the type of fireplace you own, masonry, exact fireplace opening size (the height and width), as well as the type of facing, pre-fab or zero clearance. We would also need to know the manufacturer and model number.
Q: WHY DOESN’T MY PILOT LIGHT STAY LIT ON MY GAS LOG SET?
A: Depending how old it is, the thermal couple may need to be replaced. If the knob is getting stuck, there’s a good chance the safety pilot may need to be replaced.
Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VENTED AND NON-VENTED GAS LOG SETS?
A: On a vented log you need to keep your damper open full while the fire is in use. On a non-vented log you can close your damper because it has an O.D.S. (Oxygen Depletion Sensor). The O.D.S. regulates how much Oxygen the unit is using from your room & will shut off if it is using too much. Because you close your damper you are retaining the heat & not loosing any existing heat!
Q: CAN I CLOSE MY FIREPLACE DOORS WHEN MY FIREPLACE IS IN USE?
A: No. Whether you are burning wood, gas logs, or non-vented gas logs, your doors must remain open.
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