Heater Comparison Table

** Note: Daily operating costs depend on many variables - climate, tub size, local electric or gas rates. 

SmarTouch Electric Heater (220 volt power required)

The SmarTouch Electric heater is a fully automatic modern digital tub control system. In this configuration it operates as an all-electric system using a 5.5 kilowatt heater (up to 8.5 kW available.) Includes a 1.5 horsepower dual speed pump that runs at low speed for heating and filtering, and at high speed for jets.

The digital controller allows the user to program the temperature, 4 separate filtration periods, quiet-time black-out periods, timeout to turn off jets after use, automatic freeze protection, time of day clock, and temperature calibration. A digital touchpad allows the heater to be controlled from the tub.

This heater is UL listed for safety and compliance with all building codes. It features top quality components that provide automatic temperature control, heating and filtration cycles, automatic water sanitation, dependable operation, and easy installation.

The SmarTouch Digital 1000 is the highest quality tub controller on the market and comes with a one year warranty. It is designed to be owner-installed except for the electrical connection which must be done by a qualified electrician.

The controller, heater and pump are pre-plumbed, wired and mounted on a 28 " x 16 " skid. For exposed installations a weather-proof cover (20 x 30) is available as an option.

Features:

• State of the art heater with digital controller for tubs with jets
• 5.5 kilowatt electric heat (up to 8.5 kilowatt available)
• Digital touch control panel accessible from tub side
• 1.5 horsepower dual speed spa pump (or single speed pump if you don't want jets).
• Heater, controller and pump pre-plumbed, wired and mounted on 16" x 28" skid
• Programmable features: temperature,four filtration cycles, time out, freeze protection, temperature calibration
• Digital touch control from tub side
• Weatherproof cabinet available for exposed installation
• Indoor or outdoor use
• Complete installation instructions and owners manual
• Two year warranty

Specifications

• Dimensions 16 x 28 x 16 inches
• 220 volt 50 amp circuit required
• remote touchpad with 15' cord
• 1.5" NPT pipe union pipe connections

SmarTouch electric shown on left without cover - on right with the cover.  This cover is recommended for exposed locations.

SmarTouch Gas Heater (Gas supply and 120 volt power required)

The SmarTouch Digital 1000 Gas Heater is a fully automatic modern digital tub control system. In this configuration it operates a gas heater (propane or natural gas).  This is our most powerful heating system and it is a good choice for those in very cold climates or with a very large tub.  Please note that this system uses the same SmarTouch control and pump unit as the all electric heater - in addition to the gas unit - so you have two major components.

Gas unit is either a RayPak Versa 130,000 or a Minimax 100 depending on availability. This gas heater will quickly raise your spa to full temperature and ensure a constant temperature regardless of weather conditions.

This system includes a 1.5 horsepower dual speed spa pump. The pump circulates water at low speed for normal heating and filtering, shifting to high speed when jets are used.

The digital control allows the user to program the temperature, 4 separate filtration periods, quiet-time black-out periods, timeout to turn off jets after use, automatic freeze protection, time of day clock, and temperature calibration. A digital touchpad allows the heater to be controlled from the tub.

This heater is UL listed for safety and compliance with all building codes. It features top quality components that provide automatic temperature control, heating and filtration cycles, automatic water sanitation, dependable operation, and easy installation. The SmarTouch Digital 1000 is the highest quality tub controller on the market and comes with a one year warranty. It is designed to be owner-installed except for the gas and electrical connections which must be done by a qualified service.

The controller, heater and pump are pre-plumbed, wired and mounted on a 28 " x 16 " skid. For exposed installations a weather-proof cover is available as an option.

• RayPak 130,000 or MiniMax 100,000 BTU heater available in Natural Gas or Propane
• State of the art SmarTouch digital tub controller
• Digital touch control panel accessible from tub side
• 1.5 horsepower dual speed spa pump (or single speed pump if you don't want jets).
• Controller and pump pre-plumbed, wired and mounted on 16" x 28" skid
• Programmable features: temperature,four filtration cycles, time out, freeze protection, temperature calibration
• Digital touch control from tub side
• Weatherproof cabinet available for exposed installation
• Complete installation instructions and owners manual
• One year warranty

Specifications

• 100,000 BTU (or higher); natural gas or liquid propane
  Required flow rate: 20-80 GPM
  Dimensions approximately: 26 x 20 x 16 inches
• User-friendly control panel
• Stainless steel burners for long, corrosion-free life
• Integrated vent top for efficient combustion and exhaust
• Bronze headers
• Ignition System -DirectSpark electronic ignition system
• Combustion Chamber - High-tech ceramic fiber tile
• Cabinet - Maintenance free, metal construction, provided by a weatherproof powder-coated finish over top of an anodized aluminum exterior.
• Installation - The RayPak comes pre-wired for use with spa automatic controls
• Easy-to-install 1-1/2" NPT connections

SmarTouch Gas system is composed of the two components above - the gas heating unit is on the right.

Chofu Heater (wood only, no electric power required)

The Chofu heater is a precision built wood-burning water heater designed specifically for hot tubs. It circulates water using the principal of thermosiphon (the pumping action created by rising hot water), eliminating the need for a circulating pump or electricity. This heater is a simple solution to the problem of heating a natural soaking tub. It is ideal for those who want to heat with wood and works well with small or medium sized tubs. Great for remote cabins!

The Chofu utilizes a sophisticated heat exchange design for efficient water heating. The stainless steel stove body surrounding the firebox is a double-walled water-jacket with a 1-inch space between, making the entire firebox (except the front) a heat-transferring surface. Additional heat transfer takes place in a water-filled baffle plate that runs horizontally through the firebox. The baffle deflects the path of the fire, so it gives up more heat into the water jacket before going up the chimney.

Operation
The Chofu operates like a conventional wood stove, achieving its fastest heating rate from dry hardwoods. It uses 17-inch wood with an 18-inch x 14-inch x 14-inch firebox. The most efficient heating comes from using small pieces of wood, loaded at 45 min. intervals. The Chofu has a high and low speed draft control to regulate the heating rate.

Heating Rate Information
Although the heating rate is variable depending on dryness of wood, frequency of loading, etc., the average heat output of the wood heater is 32,000 BTUs. A 200-gallon tub can be heated at approx. 20°F per hour.

Features

• High grade stainless steel stove body
• 1/8-inch steel stove front
• Heavy cast iron door and grates
• Hot Tub Connection kit (see photo)
• Generous size firebox, 18"L x 14"W x 10"H
• Vented smoke-outlet for secondary combustion.
• 3/4-inch drain for freeze protection.
• An ash drawer for easy removal of ashes.
• A long handled ash rake
• No jets

Specifications

• Dimensions: 16" wide x 23" long x 18" high
• Weight: 59-lbs.
• Stove body: Grade 316 stainless steel, inner wall 20-gauge, outer wall 22-gauge
• Stove Front: 1/8-inch steel
• Firebox door and grates: cast iron
• Firebox dimensions: 18"L x 14"W x 14"H
• Heat exchange surface area: 9 sq. ft.
• Smoke outlet: 4 5/8-inch (reduced to 4-inch)
• Circulating pipes: 1 3/4-inch O.D.
• Drain: 3/4-inch I.D.

Covers

To save on heating costs, a good cover is very important.  Our covers are 5 inches thick and have an insulation rating of R-17.  They are approved safety covers with the ASTM 1346 certification. 

Water Quality

Our SmarTouch systems include a three step approach to keeping the water clean and safe.  

1. Filtration - we include a washable cartridge style filter.
2. UV Water Purifier - an optional device that uses ultra violet light to kill germs in the water and greatly reduces the need for other chemicals - this is the best system available on the market.
3. Specialized Chlorine - Granulated chlorine is the best approach for wooden tubs - at a reduced level when used with the ionizer.

We provide a filter and chorine start kit with each of our hot tubs ordered with Electric or Gas heated systems. The UV is an optional item.