The Adelaide Hot Tub is a mid-size spa with a modest footprint. With overall dimensions of 74″x74″x34″, the space required is much less then other overly large hot tubs on the market. While it is still considered a 5-6 person hot tub, it will work nicely for those with space constraints and a preference for a more conspicuous style.
The water volume capacity of the Essential Hot Tubs Adelaide is 300 gallons. This places it squarely in the middle of other popular models like the Newport at 200 gallons and the Polara at 400 gallons.
Measurements: 74” length x 74” width x 34” height
Since water is both expensive and time consuming to heat, having a hot tub with 25% less water volume than the Polara is an enormous advantage when it comes to paying the energy bill. The time required to heat the water to the desired temperature will be dramatically decreased, meaning you can spend more time enjoying your hot tub and less time waiting for it to heat up.
Ozone Generator
An ozone generator is a seemingly magical feature included in many modern hot-tubs, that works by injecting ozone gasses into the water. This then has the incredible effect of cleaning impurities out of the water, which in turn helps to keep you healthier and fresher AND helps to keep the hot tub cleaner too! This not only means that the hot tub can run longer without becoming clogged and damaged, but it also means that you don’t need to clean it so regularly.
An ozone generator is normally a great addition to a hot tub and works well with larger models. The Adelaide does include an ozone generator. Although it is not a substitute for proper chemical water treatment, it does help to keep the water clean and free of impurities. As a consumable item, it is something that can be replaced at periodic intervals to enhance water quality. The Ozone Generator is activated only during the filter cycle.
Pumps
There is a single 2 HP pump to power the jets and to satisfy water circulation. With 30 jets and the water columns, the pump spec is sufficient for the task.
Essential Hot Tubs are well designed and equipped appropriately such that they will not underperform or underwhelm. Whether you prefer a tranquil water environment with low pressure flow or a full on high pressure massage, the Adelaide 2 HP pump will meet and exceed expectations.
Heater
Arguably, the heater is the most important component of the hot tub. Afterall, what would a hot tub experience be without hot water? And furthermore, nothing could be worse than an ineffective heater unable to keep the water at a comfortable temperature.
Like other hot tubs from Essential Hot Tubs, the heater is from Balboa and is a proven industry leader in hot water heaters, especially for hot tubs. Balboa heaters are stainless steel and will not corrode over time. They have the longevity to last and function for the duration of the life of your hot tub.
What we find with the Adelaide is both a 1KW and 4kW option. Since it is possible to use either a 120V or a 240V option, the heater is adaptable to both cases. If you find the plug and play option is not effective at heating the water for your climate (perhaps you live in a very cold location) then it can easily to rewired for a 240V outlet. This will require an electrician to properly install the hook-up but you will see incredible improvement in your hot tub function with this ‘hidden’ upgrade.
Of course, the 120V option is perfectly acceptable for most situations and will help you get setup right out of the box so to speak without the unnecessary hassle of hiring an electrician. In this instance, the heater will only run when the jet flow is set to low speed. Hence, you can expect to see the water temperature drop slightly if you are spending a lot of time in the hot tub at full jet power. You will always have the option in the future to convert to the 240V, 4KW heater function for an extra boost, faster heating rate, and consistent water temperature even at full jet power.
For most environments, the 1KW option will have enough power to heat the water and maintain a constant temperature. In a typical setting, the 120 volt setup will heat the hot tub at approximately 2 degrees Fahrenheit per hour. Upgrading your service to 240 volts will heat the water at a much faster rate of 5 degrees Fahrenheit per hour and help to combat ambient temperature fluctuations.
The maximum temperature that can be achieved with the Balboa stainless steel heater is 104F.
The Adelaide uses a Balboa controller combined with a 1KW/4KW heater and M7 Technology. For improved heating performance it is convertible from 120 volts to 240 volts. The digital interface allows for full control of temperature, lighting, and jet adjustments with the push of a button.
Setting the temperature control to Standard will maintain the water at a constant temperature. Other settings include Economy and Sleep. The Economy setting will activate the heater only during filter cycles. The Sleep setting will maintain the minimum required water temperature to prevent issues with freezing.
The controller has a built in Safety Mode that prevents the water temperature from dropping to a problematic temperature.
This hot tub requires a minimum 15A outdoor outlet for the “plug and play” option. Simply with the included 110 volt GFCI power cord, plug it into your nearest outlet. The cord length will reach about 8-10 feet so plan to have your hot tub within that distance. Installation couldn’t be easier Installation couldn’t be easier and much less planning is required to use the 120 volt setup since nearly every home will already have plenty of 15 amp breakers as a minimum. Nothing extra needs to be done here.
In order to run the pump and heater at full capacity simultaneously, it will be necessary to install a 40 amp breaker with a 240 volt outlet and have the unit hardwired by a certified electrician. This will provide several advantages including a faster water heat rate, and more versatility for colder climates.
The warranty on the Adelaide Hot Tub varies depending on precisely what goes wrong. For instance, the plumbing and equipment have a 2 year warranty for parts and 1 year warranty for labor. While the acrylic shell and exterior cabinet are covered for 5 years. That latter feature should be considered a good sign, considering that some people have needed to replace their cabinet/shell later in their hot tub’s life.
Customer service is neither bad nor exemplary. Essential Hot Tubs is a well known brand and will honor its commitments. However, as with all products and manufacturers, there are some reports of unanswered emails and QA issues.
Essential Hot Tubs are manufactured by Strong Spas in Pennsylvania, USA. See additional details at the end of this article for contact information. We feel that you can buy from this company in confidence.