Warming Area Around Hot Tub Under Gazebo Curtains

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M

Methuselah

Well-known member
May 9, 2022
470
Alabama
Yeah, weird question.

Wife has a chandelier hanging over the hot tub and I've got about 2 to 2 1/2 feet clearance around the tub. Service is 120V, 20A and GFCI protected, on the floor in one corner, at top perimeter switched at cattycorner.

First thought was gas, but it's not convenient to bring it and stand-alone are big. Anyway, was thinking the higher it is the more drafts will just vent the heat. Second was mounting on a post or roof support beam, but same does apply - the higher the more loss, right?

So, then I thought about infrared vs fan driven. My mistake there, my impression of infrared was flawed (maybe, I did confirm they can cause eye damage). An infrared heater would have mounted on the roof support beam, and it's still an option. However, for my first shot at this I just purchased a ($30 on sale) milkhouse heater which will either sit on the far floor, or on a corner table plugged into the switched ceiling receptacle. I like 2 foot off the ground and switched because the switch is outside and waterproof and don't want to use wet hands to switch it off on the floor, gfci or not. It's 1500 watts on high setting.

I'm thinking I can purchase a remote control outlet and energize from inside the house too, maybe 20/30 minutes beforehand. Climate maybe low 40's, hoping because steps are 3 feet away to feel a little warmer coming out.

Any voice of experience critique or advice appreciated. I can easily just add a long horizontal mounted infrared heater and power it off the same outlet (not both of course on a 20A circuit). My understanding is the infrared only warm what they hit --- seems like that would feel weird!

Maybe better half needs to consider losing the chandelier? Lots of the infrared units better rated by customers were hang from ceiling type.

Your thoughts?
 
Is this your first winter with the tub and/or gazebo ? I bet if you popped the cover 15 minutes before you wanted to soak, it would be much warmer in there.

I never had an issue getting out, even in sub zero blizzards. In fact, I'd stand there for an extra minute or two pretending to be a steam based super hero.

Point of the story is it may not nearly be as bad you're expecting, unless you had your first rodeo last year. Then I'd say swap the chandelier out for the few cold months.
 
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Newdude said:
Is this your first winter with the tub and/or gazebo ? I bet if you popped the cover 15 minutes before you wanted to soak, it would be much warmer in there.

I never had an issue getting out, even in sub zero blizzards. In fact, I'd stand there for an extra minute or two pretending to be a steam based super hero.

Point of the story is it may not nearly be as bad you're expecting, unless you had your first rodeo last year. Then I'd say swap the chandelier out for the few cold months.
Click to expand...

It's our 1st winter, and you are right I do tend to lean over it for warmth while waiting tor the pumps to mix in the chlorine dosing most nights.

If we do hang a heater over it, I suppose the recommendation is infrared?
 
Methuselah said:
If we do hang a heater over it, I suppose the recommendation is
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My coworker had a small radar dish kinda one from Costco and we'd use it in a dig tent similarly sized to your gazebo. It would COOK when it was below freezing and windy.
 
In an open area, any heat source is going to be more localized heating and need to you be close to it. Amount it can generate in heat in proximity to your standing is going to dictate effectiveness. I've used the infrared to heat horse stalls that were open ended, hanging from ceiling in front of stall, and they would heat well for standing in front of them, but the range of feeling heat for the outer half of stall was minimal to none. But, mine were large and 220v.
 
First any hanging light fixture over water is not code here, even if it is GFCI protected.

I've been in an outdoor HT in real freezing weather, a warming area is not needed as when one gets out one is pretty toasty. But you might want to look into a warn foot mat.

.
 
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Matt F 1 said:
First any hanging light fixture over water is not code here, even if it is GFCI protected.

I've been in an outdoor HT in real freezing weather, a warming area is not needed as when one gets out one is pretty toasty. But you might want to look into a warn foot mat.

.
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Oops, chandler is hard wired (it's on a gfci)

Mat was a nice suggestion, ordered one rated 135 watts, will share circuit with milkhouse heater. Entire gazebo circuit is 20A off gfci.
 
So, milkhouse heater.

Ran it an hour behind gazebo canvas curtains. I thought it warmed up 5-10 degrees in the 3-4 feet directly in front of it, and maybe a few degrees 5-6 feet away. It's on a "stand" about 2.5 feet off the ground, and I thought was worth it.

Better half said didn't think it did anything worthwhile and it should be returned. Wants one of those propane heater stands, I'm thinking more like 36,000 btu (vs. the 5100 btu electric).

I think the milkhouse heater is anemic though. No red glow on coils, so current draw probably not at the rated 12.5 amps. Hard to know for sure, but cord is 16 awg, has series drops for connections, plug/outlet, thermostat contacts, thermal cutout, on-off switch, and tip switch. Probably need to open it up and check amps with my clamp meter, but I'm thinking if I'm right the only fix is shortening the coils and they are probably welded 😟

On the plus side, if I'm right about low amps, it will last longer.
 
Methuselah said:
Oops, chandler is hard wired (it's on a gfci)

Mat was a nice suggestion, ordered one rated 135 watts, will share circuit with milkhouse heater. Entire gazebo circuit is 20A off gfci.
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Hardwired or not, it doesn’t matter - the spa must comply with the same requirements as pools in that respect - as I understand article 680 of the NEC.
Easiest way to not only comply but also be safe is to move both to were they aren’t above the water in any way.

(B) Installation of Luminaires, Lighting Outlets, and Ceiling-Suspended (Paddle) Fans.
(1) Elevation. Luminaires, except as covered in 680.43(B)(2), lighting outlets, and ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans located over the spa or hot tub or within 1.5 m (5 ft) from the inside walls of the spa or hot tub shall comply with the clearances specified in (B)(l)(a), (B)(l)(b), and (B)(l)(c) above the maximum water level.
(a) Without GFCI. Where no GFCI protection is pro vided, the mounting height shall be not less than 3.7 m (12 ft).
(b) With GFCI. Where GFCI protection is provided, the mounting height shall be permitted to be not less than 2.3 m (7 ft 6 in.).
(c) Below 2.3 m (7 ft 6 in.). Luminaires meeting the requirements of item (1) or (2) and protected by a ground- fault circuit interrupter shall be permitted to be installed less than 2.3 m (7 ft 6 in.) over a spa or hot tub:
(1) Recessed luminaires with a glass or plastic lens, non- metallic or electrically isolated metal trim, and suitable for use in damp locations
(2) Surface-mounted luminaires with a glass or plastic globe, a nonmetallic body, or a metallic body isolated from contact, and suitable for use in damp locations

(C) Deck Area Heating. The provisions of this section shall apply to all pool deck areas, including a covered pool, where electrically operated comfort heating units are in- stalled within 6.0 m (20 ft) of the inside wall of the pool.
FPN: For flexible cord usage, see 400.4.
680.33 Luminaires.Anunderwaterluminaire,ifinstalled, shall be installed in or on the wall of the storable pool. It shall comply with either 680.33(A) or (B).

Same with heaters-
(1) UnitHeaters.Unitheatersshallberigidlymountedto the structure and shall be of the totally enclosed or guarded type. Unit heaters shall not be mounted over the pool or within the area extending 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from the inside walls of a pool.
(2) Permanently Wired Radiant Heaters. Radiant elec tric heaters shall be suitably guarded and securely fastened to their mounting device(s). Heaters shall not be installed over a pool or within the area extending 1.5 m (5 ft) hori zontally from the inside walls of the pool and shall be mounted at least 3.7 m (12 ft) vertically above the pool deck unless otherwise approved.
(3) Radiant Heating Cables Not Permitted. Radiant heating cables embedded in or below the deck shall not be permitted.

You can give it a full read here —>
 

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kimkats said:
Another neat idea would be to get some nice, cozy terry robes. Put them in the dryer for about 15 mins then put them in a good cooler (warmer in this case) and take it to the spa. When you get out grab one of the robes and slip them on. It should still be warm so you will be good to go!
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That's a thought, so far we just bring towels. Definitely need to run that by better half, but she seems adamant about the propane heater idea.
 
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I’m with Kim, Robes are definitely where it’s at!
When u get out - if you’re crafty, you can dry quickly then lose the wet/cold suit & towel then just have on the nice dry robe. I generally sit on the patio for a bit in my robe while the hot tub “breathes” unless it’s like 10 or less degrees. I have a summer robe & a winter robe. My mom Got my hubby one too the year he got the hot tub for Christmas. I have contemplated adding curtains to help block the wind & maybe having a little table top propane heater but I’m limited on space so I have my round hot tub positioned right over both edges in the corner. To use curtains I would need to move it in some & will lose patio space. My patio roof is pvc so I can’t really do one of those tall patio heaters or have a fire pit type table for fear of melting 🫠.
 
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kimkats said:
ahhhhhhh but I gave the 1, 2 punch in putting it in the dryer then in the 'warmer' un til time to put it on!
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I never thought of putting robes in a cooler. When I get out of my tub in really cold weather, I wrap a towel around my wet suit, and then put on a robe that I have hanging next to the hot tub. I might have to try the cooler trick. But honestly, I am colder when I am getting INTO the tub. I usually mess around with the cover, getting a post soak dose of bleach ready, maybe hooking up audio, etc. When I get out, I am still warm from having been soaking in 103F water for 20-30 min.
 
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phonedave said:
I never thought of putting robes in a cooler. When I get out of my tub in really cold weather, I wrap a towel around my wet suit, and then put on a robe that I have hanging next to the hot tub. I might have to try the cooler trick. But honestly, I am colder when I am getting INTO the tub. I usually mess around with the cover, getting a post soak dose of bleach ready, maybe hooking up audio, etc. When I get out, I am still warm from having been soaking in 103F water for 20-30 min.
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103F? Lower when not at winter temperatures? We left it at 100F, which drops to 99 before the 15 minute timer kills the pumps.

I reckon heat is disabled when pumps are running...
 
Methuselah said:
103F? Lower when not at winter temperatures? We left it at 100F, which drops to 99 before the 15 minute timer kills the pumps.

I reckon heat is disabled when pumps are running...
Click to expand...

I would kick it to 104 if my wife did not complain. As it is she barely accepts 103. I like it hot. I also like heavy blankets when I sleep (and she does not).

I do drop it during the summer months, to 100 F or so.
 
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phonedave said:
I would kick it to 104 if my wife did not complain. As it is she barely accepts 103. I like it hot. I also like heavy blankets when I sleep (and she does not).

I do drop it during the summer months, to 100 F or so.
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That's what my better half suggested too, but then at 100 we are both hot after about 10 minutes into the 15 minute timed cycle, so for now I've been trying to talk her out of it. Maybe 101 ... ? ;)

I've added a remote receptacle to the 1500W heater outside and a 136W foot warming mat. I think they help but it's warmed up since I got the mat so not sure yet. On the other hand my better half keeps telling me they are a wasted effort.

We were shopping for heaters and I ALMOST got her to agree to a torpedo type propane 76,000 BTU (adjustable output) over a 9000 BTU propane stand-alone using small cylinders. The sales guy talked her out of it due to "fumes" and burning oxygen. Bear in mind people do use them to heat garages with a window cracked open, and our gazebo curtains are all on hangers so open at the top. A week later I was at Richard's sporting goods and read the same 5000/9000BTU warnings from a different manufacturer and it just said crack a window if using indoors. Hmmm

Some terry robes are on order.

I need to take a pic and post it.
 
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Have you thought about a gas infrared tube heater? I have one from Calcana on my patio that heats an area that is 15x20 and it keeps the entire area warm even with a light breeze. Mine is 10 feet long and runs at 75k adjustable btu. If you crank it up you can play strip poker in the winter if you are in to that kind of thing.
 
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