Mar Smit

I can remember back not too long ago when a good top quality backyard spa could be purchased brand new for around $2,500. Mind you that was a top of the line model. Oh well, back then a brand new fully loaded small pickup truck could also be driven off the lot for around $5,000. Well times sure have changed, haven't they?

On a recent trip out to Michigan to visit my aunt, I had the opportunity too visit one of Roto Spas showroom that's located in the next city over from my aunts home town. She suffers from arthritis and asked if I would go along and help her decide on what type of spa to buy and possible help her set it up. I'm a union electrician.

In case you haven't noticed. Just like just about everything else out there, when it comes to spas and hot tubs, the choices have increased exponentially over the years. At the same time, new companies with names like Dream Maker Spas have entered the game with what they claim is an advanced new product. A better hot tub.

It's now the latest trend in swimming pools. You don't need to be told that with the cost of energy where it is, heating a pool by conventional means can be quite expensive to say the least. So the hot catch phrase now, is “solar heating”. So how easy is it and is it in fact cost effective?

Unless you're Rip Van Winkle and have been asleep for the past couple of decades then you surly have taken notice of how fast prices have risen on just about everything out there on the market. Remember back when a good quality full featured hot tub could be purchased for around $1500? That was some time back!