Hot Tubs, Whirlpool Tubs, & Air Jet Tubs–What’s the Difference?

14 January 2006

Shopping for a new bathtub? Trying to figure out whether you want a whirlpool tub or an air jet tub? Or maybe you’re thinking of installing an indoor hot tub for true relaxation. All of these tubs are designed to massage your muscles, so what’s the difference? Here’s a quick look:

Hot tubs circulate existing water rather than pumping in new (you need to add chemicals to keep the water sanitized, but you don’t need to waste a lot of water filling the tub every time you want to use it), and really aren’t for bathing. (Adding soaps and fragrances can mess up the chemical balance.)

Whirlpool tubs are luxury bathtubs that pump a combination of air and water through a series of integrated jets. These tubs require access to pumps and pipes for maintenance in the form of cleaning, because mildew can colonize the standing water left in the plumbing.

Air jet tubs pump warm air into the tub, but they don’t circulate water through the pipes, so there aren’t any issues with standing water in the plumbing and therefore no need for additional plumbing access.

Source: Idea Wise: Bathrooms