2018 Spring & Garden

2018 Spring Home & Garden LINCOLN DAILY NEWS May 2, 2018 Page 31 people report having more and more problems resting and getting adequate sleep. Our homes have become our domiciles, the place where we go to get away from the stress and receive what we need to become functional, rested, and productive again. “Hot tubs used to be thought of only as a recreational thing,” said Andrew Gonzales, hot tub expert at P&W Pools in Lincoln. “Now they are being shown to be a therapeutic device to restore health.” On the Hotspring website (https://www. hotspring.com/what-difference-between-hot- tub-and-spa) there is help defining some of the overlapping, confusing terms used in this article. The words ‘hot tub,’ ‘spa’ and ‘jacuzzi’ are often used interchangeably to describe three very different products. There are in-ground spas and also above-ground portable spas, known as hot tubs. A jetted bathtub is a jacuzzi. Not to be confused with a day spa, the term spa is often used to describe an in-ground spa. An in-ground spa is a body of water built into the ground, much like an in-ground pool. In residential settings, in-ground spas are usually built attached to the in-ground pool and are also what you are most likely to see at a hotel or gym. In-ground spas typically have a bench seat and a few jets built-in around the perimeter. They take a long time to heat up, and require a significant amount of energy to keep hot. Hot tub is typically used to refer to an above- ground portable spa. A hot tub or portable spa is a completely self-contained vessel. All of the plumbing, as well as the electrical control system and other components, are built inside the hot tub cabinet. This means that there is no plumbing required. A hot tub is filled with a garden hose, can be drained anytime, and can even be relocated to a new home if you move. One of the best things about hot tubs is their ability to hold a set temperature. Thanks to advancements in technology, you can set a selected temperature and expect your hot tub to be hot and ready to use anytime you are. There is no need to wait for the hot tub to heat up. Hot tubs can range from very simple designs with a few jets, to intricate acrylic shells with an extremely high jet count. Hot tubs today have come a long way from the round redwood vessels of the past, and generally offer a much better experience than in-ground spas because they are more comfortable, more energy efficient, easier to care for, and provide better massage. Much like Kleenex® and Xerox®, Jacuzzi® is a brand name that has come to take on a generic meaning. The word ‘jacuzzi’ is often heard when referring to an in-ground spa, a jetted bathtub, or an above ground portable spa or hot tub. The Jacuzzi brothers invented Continued ■ ■