Is your hot tub heater not working, keeps switching off or taking a long time to heat up? A hot tub should be hot. Check out the most common problems below. The issue could be down to a simple reason that you can check and maybe easily fix yourself. Otherwise, consult a specialist. 360 Hot Tubs provide repairs and servicing throughout Southampton, Portsmouth, Guildford, Bournemouth,  Hampshire and Dorset.

Remember that water and electricity are an extremely dangerous combination. Use the guide below at your own risk. For your own peace of mind, get in touch with our hot tub specialists.

Hot Tub Heater Not Working and Possible Reasons

1. Are there any error codes?

   These could be flo, dr, dry, Oh, Ohh, FL1, FL2, SNS, or a mixture of flashing dots. Jump to the list of error codes. Be sure to mention any error code when calling a us about your heater not working. This could help us diagnose over the phone and bring the right parts to fix the problem.

2. Is the water level correct?

   Check to see if the water level in your hot tub needs topping up. The water level drops through evaporation and from splashing out over the sides. When the water levels are too low, the hot tub skimmer can draw in air instead of water. This causes the heater to cut out as not enough water is passing through it. A good guide is all jets covered and a good amount of water flowing through the filter housing.

3. Have you recently filled your hot tub?

   Although this varies, a newly filled hot tub can take several hours to heat up.

4. Are the filters clean?

   The hot tub filter catches dirt and debris and can restrict the water flow when clogged. Ideally, the filter should be checked and cleaned weekly and replaced annually. Try removing and cleaning the filter to see if it fixes the issue.

5. Check there is power to the spa

   Check the hot tub has power from the main fuse box in the house and any switch between is turned on.

6. Is the circulation pump running?

   If the pump is not working properly it will stop or restrict the flow of water around the hot tub. This will cause the heater to cut out. The pump may need repairing or replacing.

7. Hot tub element fault

   If the hot tub is tripping the electrics when it calls for heat this could be a faulty element.

8. Pcb fault

   If the pcb or control box has a fault it may need to be replaced.

9. Check pressure switch

   The pressure switch or flow switch is can be found on the heater or circulation pump plumbing. We strongly recommend using the services of a hot tub engineer or a qualified electrician to test this for safety reasons. If the pressure switch is faulty it will need to be replaced to fix the issue.

Hot Tub Error Codes Connected to Heater Not Working – and how to fix them

Flo – The Flo error code usually means the hot tub has a low or no water flow issue. You can try the following yourself before calling a hot tub repair specialist.

1. Check the water level
2. Release pump airlocks
3. Check the filter, pump and valves for any obstructions
4. Clean the hot tub filter
5. Is the pump working?

Dr/Dry – The Dr/Dry or “HEATER MAY BE DRY WILL RETEST SHORTLY” error code means the hot tub heater has detected inadequate water levels. You can try the following yourself before calling us out.

1. Check the water level
2. Add water to the correct level and restart the pump and heater

OH/OHH/OHS – OH/OHH/OHS overheat error codes mean that a hot tub temperature sensor has detected an unsafe water temperature and the heater shuts off. The water probably isn’t flowing fast enough through the heater causing the temperature to increase. DO NOT USE THE HOT TUB while these error codes are flashing as the water could be scalding hot. You can try the following yourself before calling us out.

1. Open the spa cover to allow excess heat to escape
2. Remove any floating cover
3. test the water temperature with a thermometer to get a true reading
4. Clean the filter cartridge
5. Check water levels
6. Reset the hot tub

Fl1 – Fl1 error code could mean the hot tub is pointing to a potential air lock issue or dirty filter. The spa isn’t sensing enough water flow to close the pressure/flow switch. You can try the following yourself before calling us out.

1. Check the water level
2. Clean or replace filters
3. Is the pump running?
4. Remove a panel and check the flow switch is connecting

Fl2 – Fl2 error code means the pressure/flow switch is malfunctioning or is stuck closed. The heater will stop working and likely the jets too. You can try the following yourself before calling a hot tub repair specialist.

1. Check the water level
2. Clean the filters
3. Remove a panel and check the flow switch is connecting

SnS – SnS error code means the hot tub sensors are out of balance. It could just be a temporary problem if the temperature of the spa is also being displayed. You can try the following yourself before calling us out.

1. Reset the spa

Mixture of flashing dots – Usually means the hot tub heater has inadequate water flow or the pressure/flow switch may be defective. You could try the above recommendations or call us out.

Hot tub running costs is one of the top questions to be considered before purchasing a hot tub.  After the initial outlay of buying a new or used hot tub, you need to consider the monthly running costs.  All hot tubs are different, so this is just a guide. We will also recommend ways in which to reduce your hot tub running costs.

360 Hot Tubs provide repairs and servicing throughout Southampton, Portsmouth, Guildford, Bournemouth, Hampshire and Dorset.

How Much Does a Hot Tub Cost to Run?

A well-insulated, quality hot tub should cost an average of £1.50 per day. A poorly insulated hot tub could be in excess of £100 per month!  If you’re paying over the odds to run your spa, take a look at our recommendations to reduce the cost.

Some things you can do to reduce hot tub running costs

Maintaining a hot tub at around 40 °C every day, especially during winter, will reflect in your energy bills. You can try to reduce this by doing the following:

• Replace the cover if old, broken or damaged
• Turn down the temperature on your hot tub
• Add a thermal blanket in addition to the cover
• Block the wind using windbreaks or a similar barrier
• Use long-lasting LED lights to use less energy
• Use a pipe cleaner every time you drain and refill to make it more efficient
• Check your electricity tariff to get the best deal
• Ensure there’s proper insulation behind the panels of the hot tub to help keep heat in
• Filling with hot water is cheaper than to fill with cold and heat in the hot tub. For this, you’ll need access to an outdoor hot tap or an adapter for a sink in the house.
• If your hot tub has an economy mode, setting filter cycle times and using this mode can help reduce costs
• Close the air jets
• Clean the filters

A Hot Tub WILL increase your Energy Bills

As hot tub pumps, heaters, lights etc run on electricity continuously – your energy bills will, of course, reflect this.

Hot tub error codes could be down to a simple reason that you can check and maybe easily fix yourself. Otherwise, give us a call. 360 Hot Tubs provide repairs and servicing throughout Southampton, Portsmouth, Guildford, Bournemouth, Hampshire and Dorset.

Remember that water and electricity are an extremely dangerous combination. Use the guide below at your own risk. For your own peace of mind, get in touch with our hot tub specialists.

Most hot tubs topside controls have screens and error codes to help identify problems with your spa.  As there are many different brands of hot tub running equipment there are many different error codes that can appear on your spas topside display.  The most common being Balboa and Gecko.  Some hot tubs also use a variety of flashing lights or dots as error messages.

Hot tub error codes are grouped as follows:

• Water flow hot tub error codes
• Heater hot tub error codes
• Sensor hot tub error codes

When the water in a hot tub isn’t flowing as it should, the water quality can quickly suffer as the equipment overheats and the heater ceases to work.  Flow is the most common problem in hot tubs.

 

Error Code	Probable Cause	Recommended Action
LF	Persistent low flow issues. Water isn’t flowing fast enough through the heater and it shuts down.	Check the water level Prime the pumps Reset
DR/DRY	Heater not working. The heater is dry. The hot tub heater has detected inadequate water levels.	Check the water level, and if necessary add water to the correct level Restart the pump and heater Prime the pumps
FLO	Flow error. The hot tub heater has detected inadequate water levels.	Check the water level Release pump airlocks Check the filter, pump and valves for any obstructions Clean the hot tub filter Is the pump working?
OH/OHH/OHS	Overheat condition. Hot tub temperature sensor has detected an unsafe water temperature and the heater shuts off. The water probably isn’t flowing fast enough through the heater causing the temperature to increase. DO NOT USE THE HOT TUB while these error codes are flashing as the water will be scalding hot.	Open the spa cover to allow excess heat to escape Clean the filter cartridge Check water levels Reset when hot tub has cooled
HL	Meaning high limit – the heater shuts down because the water has reached a certain temperature. Overheat condition detected in the hot tub. DO NOT USE THE HOT TUB.	Open the spa cover to allow the water to cool down Reset the breaker to reset the system
SNS	The hot tub sensors are out of sync. It could just be a temporary problem if the temperature of the spa is being alternated.	Leave for a while before checking if the problem persists
SN1/2	Issue detected with sensor 1 or 2. The high limit sensor is open or shorted.	Clean or replace the filter cartridge Check all jets and valves are open Check water levels Check there’s no pipe airlock
COOL	Water is more than 20 degrees below the set temperature.	Not a fault
HFL	Too great a difference between the temperature sensors has been detected. Potentially a water flow issue.	Check the water level Prime the pumps
FL1	The hot tub is pointing to a potential air lock issue or dirty filter. The spa isn’t sensing enough water flow to close the pressure/flow switch.	Check the water level Clean or replace filters Check the hose to the filter connections
FL2	The pressure/flow switch is malfunctioning or is stuck closed. The heater will stop working and likely the jets too.	Check the water level Clean the filters
ICE	Detected a potential freeze condition and ice in the system.	Wait for the freeze condition to end or get in touch with us.
SNA	Sensor open circuit or faulty.	Call us on 023 8008 0360
SNB	Sensor open circuit or faulty.	the Bird
PR	System priming	Will last a few minuted before heating.  Either wait for the prime mode to end or press any temp related button to exit.
SBY	Standby mode activated.	Press any button except ‘Jets 1’ to exit.

Please get in touch if you’re getting any of the above or any other hot tub error codes and we’ll do our best to diagnose the issue for you.