How Should I Heat My Tub?
We offer four high quality heating systems for our tubs. The Japanese-made Chofu heaters offer simplicity and elegance with less features. The SmarTouch heaters offer convenience and more features. See below for details.
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Chofu Gas Heater
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Features:
- Operates without electricity
- Automatic ignition switch
- Automatic heating timer
- Tub mounted remote control switch
- Drain valve for freeze protection
- Weather proof housing
- Safety shut-off for over-heating
- No jets, Outdoor use only
- Two year warranty
Specifications
- Dimensions: 17" high x 17" long x 10" wide
- Weight: 19-lbs.
- Stove Body: Powder coated steel
- Circulating Pipe Dimensions: 1 1/2-O.D.
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The Chofu Gas Heater is a high efficiency tub heater. This is our favorite for those who want simplicity. The Chofu requires no electricity, has no pump, drives no jets, makes no noise. It heats water quietly by natural convection. This heater is ideal for backyard tubs or remote cabins.
It is available in a propane (LPG) or natural gas model.
The Chofu is simple to install since it has no moving parts and requires no electricity. It is designed for outdoor use only, with a durable powder coated steel outer casing and a stainless steel exhaust cowling.
Inside the Chofu is an elaborate network of copper tubes with heat collecting fins, that are heated by six stainless steel burners. The configuration of the copper tubes is designed to create thermosiphon circulation by allowing the heated water inside the heater to rise up and flow into the tub.
Operation
The Chofu heats water on-demand, the day it is needed. (It does not have a thermostat.) The heater is operated manually with an automatic ignition switch, however, it uses a spring wound timer to control the duration of heating and to automatically turn off the heater. The main control switch for the heater is designed to be mounted on the side of the tub, for easy access in or out of the tub. If water in the tub looses too much heat while it's being used, it can quickly be brought up to temperature without having to step out of the tub.
Gas Consumption
The Chofu gas heater burns approximately 1/2 gallon of gas per hour.
Heating Schedule
The Chofu is a 50,000 BTU heater. A 300-gallon tub can be heated at approx. 20°F per hour.
Example heat times to heat water from 80 °F to 105°F
- 200 gallons: 1 hour
- 300 gallons: 1.25 hours
- 400 gallons: 2 hours
More information available in the Documentation section.
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SmarTouch Digital 1000 Electric Heater
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Features:
- State of the art heater with digital controller for tubs with jets
- 5.5 kilowatt electric heat (up to 11 kilowatt available)
- Digital touch control panel accessible from tub side
- Integrated Ground Fault Interrupt circuit for safety
- 1.0 horsepower Syllent pump - NEW - adds 20% more heat to the tub by capturing the heat from the pump motor.
- Very quiet operation! No more listening to the droning hum of the typical spa pump!
- Heater, controller and pump pre-plumbed, wired and mounted on 15" x 26" skid
- Programmable features: temperature,four filtration cycles, time out, freeze protection, temperature calibration
- Digital touch control from tub side
- Stainless steel waterproof cabinet available for exposed installation
- Indoor or outdoor use
- Complete installation instructions and owners manual
- Two year warranty
Specifications
- Dimensions 15 x 26 x 16 inches
- 220 volt 40 amp circuit required
- GFI included on unit
- remote touchpad with 15' cord
- 1.5" NPT pipe union pipe connections
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Now with the super quiet and efficient SYLLENT pump! The SmarTouch Digital 1000 is a fully automatic modern digital tub control system. In this configuration it operates as an all-electric system using a 5.5 kilowatt heater (up to 11kW available.) Includes the Syllent 1.0 horsepower pump. This pump actually adds the equivalent of 1 kW additional heating to the tub by capturing the heat from the pump motor! So in effect you are getting a 6.5kW heater!
The digital controller allows the user to program the temperature, 4 separate filtration periods, quiet-time black-out periods, timeout to turn off jets after use, automatic freeze protection, time of day clock, and temperature calibration. A digital touchpad allows the heater to be controlled from the tub. This heater is UL listed for safety and compliance with all building codes. It features top quality components that provide automatic temperature control, heating and filtration cycles, automatic water sanitation, dependable operation, and easy installation.
The SmarTouch Digital 1000 is the highest quality tub controller on the market and comes with a one year warranty. It is designed to be owner-installed except for the electrical connection which must be done by a qualified electrician.
The controller, heater and pump are pre-plumbed, wired and mounted on a 26 " x 15 " skid. For exposed installations a stainless steel cabinet is available for weather protection - 28" L x 16" W x 18" H.
SmarTouch Digital 1000 Electric Heater: $900
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Stainless Steel Weatherproof cabinet for SmarTouch 1000 $450
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More information available in the Documentation section.
Stainless Steel Weatherproof cabinet for SmarTouch 1000
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Chofu Wood Heater
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Features
- High grade stainless steel stove body
- 1/8-inch steel stove front
- Heavy cast iron door and grates
- Hot Tub Connection kit (see photo)
- Generous size firebox, 18"L x 14"W x 10"H
- Vented smoke-outlet for secondary combustion.
- 3/4-inch drain for freeze protection.
- An ash drawer for easy removal of ashes.
- A long handled ash rake
- No jets
Specifications
- Dimensions: 16" wide x 23" long x 18" high
- Weight: 59-lbs.
- Stove body: Grade 316 stainless steel, inner wall 20-gauge, outer wall 22-gauge
- Stove Front: 1/8-inch steel
- Firebox door and grates: cast iron
- Firebox dimensions: 18"L x 14"W x 14"H
- Heat exchange surface area: 9 sq. ft.
- Smoke outlet: 4 5/8-inch (reduced to 4-inch)
- Circulating pipes: 1 3/4-inch O.D.
- Drain: 3/4-inch I.D.
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This Chofu model is a precision built wood-burning water heater designed specifically for hot tubs. It circulates water using the principal of thermosiphon (the pumping action created by rising hot water), eliminating the need for a circulating pump or electricity. This heater is a simple solution to the problem of heating a natural soaking tub. It is ideal for those who want to heat with wood and works well with small or medium sized tubs. Great for remote cabins!
The stove body of the Chofu is made with high quality stainless steel, grade (316), so it can be used outside, without worry. And since the firebox is also made of stainless steel, it will withstand years of service without danger of burning-out. The smoke outlet on the Chofu features a unique vented collar that provides secondary combustion of unburned gases, for reducing smoke emissions and chimney sparks.
The Chofu utilizes a sophisticated heat exchange design for efficient water heating. The stainless steel stove body surrounding the firebox is a double-walled water-jacket with a 1-inch space between, making the entire firebox (except the front) a heat-transferring surface. Additional heat transfer takes place in a water-filled baffle plate that runs horizontally through the firebox. The baffle deflects the path of the fire, so it gives up more heat into the water jacket before going up the chimney.
Operation
The Chofu operates like a conventional wood stove, achieving its fastest heating rate from dry hardwoods. It uses 17-inch wood with an 18-inch x 14-inch x 14-inch firebox. The most efficient heating comes from using small pieces of wood, loaded at 45 min. intervals.
The Chofu has a high and low speed draft control to regulate the heating rate. It operates with the draft wide open for fast heating, and closed down to maintain temperature once the water is hot.
Heating Rate Information
Although the heating rate is variable depending on dryness of wood, frequency of loading, etc., the average heat output of the wood heater is 32,000 BTUs. A 200-gallon tub can be heated at approx. 20°F per hour.
Note: The heat output of the Chofu increases after an initial 30-min. warm-up period that heats the stove body and establishes a bed of coals. For a typical tub a couple of armloads of wood will heat the water to temperature.
Heating Schedule
80
°F to 105°F
- 200 Gallons: 1.25 hours
- 300 Gallons: 1.5 hours
- 400 Gallons: 2.2 hours
Chimney Kit (5 lengths of stainless stove pipe and cap): $155
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More information available in the Documentation section.
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SmarTouch Digital 1000 Gas Heater
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Features
- MiniMax 100,000 BTU heater available in Natural Gas or Propane
- State of the art SmarTouch digital tub controller
- Digital touch control panel accessible from tub side
- Integrated Ground Fault Interrupt circuit for safety
- 1.0 horsepower Syllent pump - NEW - adds 20% more heat to the tub by capturing the heat from the pump motor.
- Very quiet operation! No more listening to the droning hum of the typical spa pump!
- Controller and pump pre-plumbed, wired and mounted on 15" x 26" skid
- Programmable features: temperature,four filtration cycles, time out, freeze protection, temperature calibration
- Digital touch control from tub side
- Stainless steel waterproof cabinet available for exposed installation
- Complete installation instructions and owners manual
- One year warranty
Specifications
- 100,000 BTU; natural gas or liquid propane
Required flow rate: 20-80 GPM
Dimensions: 25 1/2 x 19 1/2 x 15 1/2 inches
- User-friendly control panel
- Stainless steel burners for long, corrosion-free life
- Integrated vent top for efficient combustion and exhaust
- Bronze headers
- Ignition System -DirectSpark electronic ignition system
- Combustion Chamber - High-tech ceramic fiber tile
- Cabinet - Maintenance free, metal construction, provided by a weatherproof powder-coated finish over top of an anodized aluminum exterior.
- Installation - The MiniMax 100 comes pre-wired for use with spa automatic controls
- Easy-to-install 1-1/2" NPT connections
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Now with the super quiet and efficient SYLLENT pump! The SmarTouch Digital 1000 Gas Heater is a fully automatic modern digital tub control system. In this configuration it operates a 100,000 BTU gas heater (larger heaters available.) This is our most powerful heating system and it is a good choice for those who prefer to heat with gas and have the automatic features of a modern tub.
Gas heater is the MiniMax 100 by Pentair - the premier manufacturer of spa systems, and a world leader in water technology. MiniMax 100 gas heaters will effortlessly raise your spa to 104 degrees, generate a rapid heat-up, plus ensure a constant temperature regardless of weather conditions.
The MiniMax 100 units require little to no maintenance, and typically last ten years or more.
This system includes the New Syllent Pump. This pump actually acts like a 1.0 kw heater by capturing the waste heat from the pump motor. The digital control allows the user to program the temperature, 4 separate filtration periods, quiet-time black-out periods, timeout to turn off jets after use, automatic freeze protection, time of day clock, and temperature calibration. A digital touchpad allows the heater to be controlled from the tub.
This heater is UL listed for safety and compliance with all building codes. It features top quality components that provide automatic temperature control, heating and filtration cycles, automatic water sanitation, dependable operation, and easy installation.
The SmarTouch Digital 1000 is the highest quality tub controller on the market and comes with a one year warranty. It is designed to be owner-installed except for the gas and electrical connections which must be done by a qualified service.
The controller, heater and pump are pre-plumbed, wired and mounted on a 26 " x 15 " skid. For exposed installations a stainless steel cabinet is available for weather protection. - 28" L x 16" W x 18" H.
SmarTouch Digital 1000 Gas Heater NG (Natural Gas): $1900
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SmarTouch Digital 1000 Gas Heater LP (Propane Gas): $1900
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Stainless Steel Weatherproof cabinet for SmarTouch 1000 $450
Order Now »
More information available in the Documentation section. |
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