• Hot tubs can help reduce stress and assist with muscle aches.jacuzzi love image by .shock from Fotolia.com
  
  Hot tubs generally look like smaller pools, except the water in these units is usually hotter than pool water and the hot tubs have jets. Hot-tub temperatures can run from 95 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. These units require regular maintenance with chemicals and water filtration to stop microorganisms from growing. The purposes of hot tubs are for relaxation, massage pressure points or soaking sore muscles.
  
  

Self-Contained

• Self-contained hot tubs aggregate all of the systems, including the electrical, filtering and heating, within a cabinet on the outside of the tub. Since the cabinet must be accessed, self-contained spas are usually above-ground units. These hot tubs, however, can be partially sunk if the cabinet can still be accessed from the top. These units can also be hidden by a deck or a cabana. Self-contained units can be moved if necessary since all of the pieces are included within the spa. These units do not require plumbing and are the most common type on the market. Self-contained spas use electrical heat and usually run on 110 to 220 volts. The higher the voltage is, the faster that the unit will heat. Self-contained spas can weigh up to 1,150 pounds.
  
  

Non Self-Contained

• Non self-contained spas are usually connected with a pool unit. These units are installed in the ground and can never be moved. Generally, these types of hot tubs are cemented into place. The electrical, filtering and heating systems are not part of the unit; they are located in a separate area. The systems for these units will probably control both the pool and the hot tub. Non self-contained spas may have their own parts, including a filter, heater, pump and controls for these systems. If the spa is heated at a higher temperature than the pool, there will be a control to raise and lower the temperature. Also, if the hot tub has jets, individual controls will be used for these as well.
  
  

Inflatable

• Inflatable hot tubs are round and generally made of rubber or forms of plastic, and they can be inflated using a pump. These units can be placed anywhere and moved when needed. They are usually less expensive than traditional hot tubs and smaller, normally accommodating only two people. These types of hot tubs take less time to heat up, so they require less energy and time to get hot. Inflatable hot tubs have fewer jets than traditional hot tubs, and many do not include the cover. These types of hot tubs work well for apartments, camping or RVs. Inflatable spas only weigh up to 150 pounds.