More homeowners across Staffordshire and Cheshire are choosing to bring the sauna or steam room experience home, rather than relying on the odd trip to a leisure centre or spa day. If you’re considering adding one to your own home, here’s what makes them such a worthwhile investment.
Relaxation and Stress Relief
The most obvious draw of a sauna or steam room is simply how good it feels. The heat helps muscles relax, eases tension built up from work or exercise, and gives you a dedicated space to properly switch off, without needing to leave the house.
Potential Wellness Benefits
Regular sauna and steam use is widely associated with a range of wellness benefits, from improved circulation and skin health to easier breathing, particularly with a steam room’s warm, humid air. Many people also find that a sauna session helps them sleep better afterwards.
Sauna or Steam Room: What’s the Difference?
A traditional sauna uses dry heat, often from a wood or electric stove, and typically runs at a higher temperature. A steam room instead uses a generator to fill the room with warm, moist steam at a gentler temperature. Saunas suit those who enjoy intense, dry heat, while steam rooms are often preferred for respiratory benefits and a softer overall experience.
Adding One to Your Staffordshire Home
Whether you have space for a freestanding barrel sauna in the garden, room for a compact indoor sauna, or you’re planning a bathroom renovation with a tiled steam room built in, there’s an option to suit most homes and budgets. Working with an experienced local installer means the design, plumbing, and electrics are all handled properly from the start.
At Hot Tubs Staffordshire, we design and install bespoke saunas and steam rooms across Staffordshire and Cheshire, working with the Finnish Sauna Company to bring genuine Nordic-quality wellness to your home. Take a look at our Saunas and Steam Rooms range, or if you’re based in the city, our dedicated Sauna & Steam Room Installer Stoke-on-Trent page has more on how we can help. Get in touch to talk through your project.
When the UK is basking in a rare heatwave, a steaming hot tub is probably the last thing on your mind. Between fans, paddling pools and iced drinks, your spa can start to feel like an odd fit for the weather. But here at Hot Tubs Staffordshire, we think that’s a shame — because with a few simple adjustments, your hot tub can go from a winter warmer to a summer cool-down spot, without costing you a penny extra to run.
Here’s everything you need to know about looking after your hot tub, and yourself, during a heatwave.
Turn the Temperature Down, Not Off
The instinct in hot weather is to switch your hot tub off completely, but that’s not necessarily the best move. Instead, try dialling the temperature right down to somewhere between 27°C and 30°C.
At this lower setting, the water feels refreshing rather than hot, but it’s not so cold that your body works against you. Plunging into ice-cold water actually triggers your body to try to warm itself back up — the opposite of what you’re after on a scorching afternoon. A gently cool tub, on the other hand, helps bring your core temperature down while still letting you enjoy the massage jets, buoyancy and general relaxation a spa is built for.
It’s a great way to get more use out of your investment all year round, rather than having it sit idle for the two or three weeks a year the UK actually gets properly hot.
Your Running Costs Will Actually Drop
One silver lining of a heatwave is that your energy bills for the hot tub should fall, not rise. With the sun doing a lot of the heavy lifting, your heater barely needs to kick in to hold a lower temperature, and the pump and filtration system carry on doing their job as normal — keeping the water clean, circulating and ready to use.
If you know you won’t be using the tub for a few days while you’re away or the weather is at its peak, dropping the set temperature even further (down to around 20°C) will ease the load on your equipment and save a bit more on running costs. It’ll heat back up quickly once you’re ready to use it again.
Keep an Eye on Water Chemistry
Warm weather changes the chemistry inside your tub faster than you might expect, so it’s worth paying a little extra attention during a hot spell:
Test more often. Sanitiser (chlorine or bromine) burns off more quickly in strong sunlight and warmer water, so test every day or two rather than your usual weekly check.
Watch your pH. Heat tends to push pH upward, which makes your sanitiser less effective even if your levels look fine on paper. Aim to keep it in the recommended range for your system.
Shock the water regularly. Suncream, sweat and body oils build up faster when the tub is being used more often in summer, so a weekly shock treatment helps keep the water clear and your sanitiser working efficiently.
Top up the water level. Evaporation speeds up in hot weather, particularly if the cover is left off for long periods. Keep the level topped up so your pump isn’t left running dry.
Look After Your Cover and Filter
Your cover isn’t just for keeping debris out — in summer, it also helps regulate how much heat the water picks up from direct sunlight. Popping it back on between uses will stop the water creeping above your set temperature on a baking hot day.
Your filter will also be working harder if you’re using the tub more often. A quick rinse every few days, plus a deeper clean every couple of weeks during busy periods, will keep water flow strong and prevent unnecessary strain on the pump.
A Few Safety Reminders for Hot Weather
Even with the water running cooler, a hot tub is still warmer than the air on most days, so it’s worth taking a couple of sensible precautions:
Stay hydrated — keep a cold drink to hand and sip regularly while you soak.
Keep soak times shorter than usual, especially in the middle of the day.
Avoid the tub during peak UV hours if you can, and use sun protection if you are using it midday.
Keep an eye on children, who can overheat much faster than adults.
If you’re already feeling the effects of the heat, it’s best to cool down and rehydrate before getting in.
Don’t Forget — Hot Tubs Aren’t Just for Summer
Of course, British heatwaves never last long, and before you know it the temperature will have dropped back down again. The great thing about owning a hot tub is that it works just as hard for you in October as it does in July — offering warmth, relaxation and hydrotherapy benefits whatever the season.
If you’re thinking about adding a hot tub, swim spa or sauna to your home, or you need help getting the most from the one you already own, the team at Hot Tubs Staffordshire is on hand. Based in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, we’ve been supplying and supporting spas across Staffordshire and Cheshire for over 50 years.
Get in touch with our friendly team today, or pop into our showroom to see our full range of hot tubs, swim spas and wellness products.
If you’re weighing up your options for a new hot tub, two of the most popular ranges we supply here at Hot Tubs Staffordshire are Platinum Spas and Arctic Spas. Both are excellent, well-established brands, but they’re built with slightly different priorities in mind. Here’s how they compare, so you can work out which is the better fit for your home.
Platinum Spas: Luxury, Design and Hydrotherapy
Platinum Spas is all about combining striking design with serious hydrotherapy performance. The range offers the widest choice of award-winning hot tubs and swim spas in the Superior Wellness portfolio, with models ranging from compact two-seaters to large entertaining tubs.
If you want a hot tub that looks as good as it feels, with sleek styling, mood lighting, and a strong choice of jet configurations and seating layouts, Platinum Spas is a fantastic place to start. It’s a range built for homeowners who see their hot tub as a genuine design feature as much as a wellness investment.
Arctic Spas: Built to Last, Whatever the Weather
Arctic Spas takes a different approach, with durability and insulation at its core. Designed originally to withstand the extreme climates of Canada, these hot tubs bring a ‘Forever Hot Tub’ build quality and a FreeHeat system that recycles heat from the pump and motor to keep running costs down, even through a British winter.
If low running costs, robust construction, and genuine year-round reliability matter more to you than having the widest range of styling options, Arctic Spas is likely to be the better fit, particularly if your hot tub will see heavy use across all seasons.
Which Should You Choose?
There’s no single right answer — it depends on what matters most to you. If design, choice, and a touch of luxury are top priorities, take a look at our full Platinum Spas range. If you want a hot tub that’s built to withstand anything the seasons throw at it while keeping energy bills sensible, our Arctic Spas range is well worth a look.
Still not sure? That’s exactly what our showroom in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent is for. Come and see both ranges side by side, sit in a few models, and let our team talk you through the differences in person. Get in touch to arrange a visit.
We have some genuinely exciting news to share. At E.J. Payne Leisure, we’re always looking for the finest products to bring to our customers, we are thrilled to announce that we are now proud suppliers of NIVEKO pools. This is a range that truly sets a new standard in luxury swimming pool design, and we can’t wait to introduce it to homeowners across Staffordshire and the wider region.
Whether you’re been dreaming of a sleek infinity edge pool stretching into the horizon, or a beautifully understated skimmer pool that sits perfectly in your garden, NIVEKO has a design that will take your breath away.
Who Are NIVEKO?
NIVEKO is a European manufacturer with years of experience and an unwavering commitment to quality, precision, and sustainability. Their philosophy is built on three core principles: responsibility, personal touch, and shared experience. Every pool they produce is the result of combining cutting-edge technology with meticulous craftsmanship, all fine-tuned to the last detail to satisfy even the most discerning customers.
What makes NIVEKO stand apart from the crowd is their dedication to designing pools that feel like a natural extension of the spaces they inhabit — whether installed outdoors in an expansive garden or inside as a dramatic architectural feature of a home.
“Leave the everyday hustle and bustle behind and enjoy water as an element in its purest form.” — The NIVEKO philosophy that drives every pool they create.
The NIVEKO Range — Five Stunning Designs
NIVEKO offer a portfolio of custom-built monopools across two categories: overflow pools and skimmer pools. Each design is exceptional in its own way, giving you the freedom to choose a style that perfectly matches your home, garden, and lifestyle.
Advance
Boldly stand out from the crowd with the distinctive lines of the Advance overflow. The pure elegance of natural granite tastefully set around the pool gives it a distinctive look. It doesn’t matter whether it is installed outside or inside – the Overflow Advance is always an eye-catching feature.
Evolution
Achieve a timeless look with the elegant Overflow Evolution. The pool edge is just 20 mm thick, guaranteeing a smooth transition between the inside and outside of the pool. Let the water play the main role.
Infinity
An exceptional version of the popular Infinity overflow from the NIVEKO workshop. Ideal for outdoors, where it immediately dominates any setting and attracts attention. Enjoy the view of an endless water horizon stretching into the distance.
Underflow
The Overflow Underflow boasts stylish design and outstanding practicality. The overflow channel is hidden under the surrounding terrace – this saves water and gives the pool that high-tech touch.
Invisible
The best choice for a high-end skimmer pool developed exclusively by NIVEKO. The clean design of the Skimmer Invisible keeps the water level at the highest possible level. A unique concept for the high demanding customers.
Smart Technology Built In
NIVEKO pools aren’t just beautiful — they’re intelligent. Every pool can be paired with the nPooL Control mobile app, which puts full control of your pool right in the palm of your hand. Monitor, manage, and adjust your pool’s settings from anywhere, bringing a whole new level of convenience and comfort to pool ownership.
Full pool control from your smartphone via the nPooL Control app
State-of-the-art filtration and water management technology
Custom-built to your exact specifications and space
Available in overflow and skimmer configurations
Suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations
Exceptional build quality designed to last for decades
Why Choose E.J. Payne Leisure for Your NIVEKO Pool?
As one of Staffordshire’s most trusted leisure specialists, we’ve spent years helping families and homeowners create outdoor spaces they truly love. With over 100 positive Google reviews and a reputation built on honest advice and expert knowledge, we’re perfectly placed to guide you through every step of your NIVEKO journey — from first conversation to final splash.
We’re not just a stockist. We’re a partner. Our team will work with you to understand your space, your vision, and your budget, ensuring the NIVEKO pool we recommend is exactly right for you.
Ready to Explore the NIVEKO Range?
Visit our dedicated NIVEKO page to discover the full collection and get in touch with our expert team. Your dream pool is closer than you think.
Whenever the temperature climbs, we get the same question from customers across Staffordshire and Cheshire: “Should I just turn the hot tub off until it cools down?” It’s an understandable thought — nobody wants to sit in a bubbling hot bath when it’s already 28°C outside. But the truth is, a hot tub doesn’t have to sit idle all summer. Used the right way, it’s just as enjoyable in a heatwave as it is on a frosty January evening.
Here’s why the “hot tubs are just for winter” myth doesn’t hold up, and how to get the most from yours when the sun’s out.
Myth: A Hot Tub Is Only Good for Cold Weather
It’s easy to assume a hot tub is a strictly seasonal luxury, but that’s simply not how they’re designed to work. Every spa has a fully adjustable thermostat, which means you’re never locked into a piping hot soak. Turn the temperature down to a cooler, more refreshing setting and the whole experience changes — the water becomes a pleasant place to cool off rather than warm up, while you still get the benefit of the jets, the buoyancy and the general sense of relaxation a hot tub provides.
In other words, the “hot” in hot tub is a setting, not a rule.
Myth: Running It in Summer Costs More
Another common assumption is that running a hot tub through a heatwave will send energy bills soaring. Actually, the opposite tends to be true. Warmer air and stronger sunshine mean your heater has far less work to do to maintain a lower temperature, so it runs less often than it would in the depths of winter. The pump and filtration system tick along exactly as normal, keeping the water clean and ready whenever you fancy a dip.
If you know you won’t be using the tub for a stretch of hot days, dropping the temperature down further still will ease the load on the equipment even more, and it’ll come back up to your preferred setting quickly whenever you’re ready to use it again.
What You Should Keep an Eye On
Using your hot tub through a heatwave is absolutely fine, but there are a few extra things worth checking during hot, sunny spells:
Sanitiser levels. Sunshine and warmer water both use up chlorine or bromine faster, so test a little more frequently than you would the rest of the year.
pH balance. Heat can nudge pH upward, which reduces how effectively your sanitiser works even when levels look okay.
Water level. Evaporation speeds up in the heat, especially with the cover off, so top up regularly to protect your pump.
The cover. Keeping it on between uses stops the water heating up further in direct sun and helps hold your chosen temperature.
A Cooler Soak, Sensibly Done
If you’re using the tub specifically to cool down, a little common sense goes a long way. Keep soak times shorter than you might in winter, stay hydrated throughout, and try to avoid the hottest part of the day if you’re particularly sensitive to the sun. Children especially should be supervised closely and encouraged to drink plenty of water, since they overheat much faster than adults.
So, Yes — Fire It Up (Or Rather, Turn It Down)
A heatwave isn’t a reason to switch your hot tub off and wait for autumn. With the temperature adjusted, it becomes a genuinely refreshing spot to unwind on even the warmest days, and you’ll likely find it costs you less to run than usual too.
If you’d like advice on getting the temperature and water chemistry right for your particular spa, or you’re considering adding a hot tub, swim spa or sauna to your home, the team at Hot Tubs Staffordshire is always happy to help. Based in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, we’ve been supplying and supporting spas across Staffordshire and Cheshire for over 50 years.
Get in touch with our friendly team today, or visit our showroom to see our full range of hot tubs, swim spas and wellness products.
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We had Mark service our hot tub recently and he did a great job. Have used the company previously and would definitely recommend
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D B
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After waiting 2 days for the supplier of my hot tub to get back to me I was recommended these guys, I can honestly say the best service I have received in a very long time, I rang sent a video and he diagnosed the issue, it was sorted within 30 minutes, all up and running, I will definitely be using these guys again for my yearly shutdown/ service and any other issues which may arise also any recommendations I will be sending them their way
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David Roberts
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Great service ,identified a problem I had with my hot tub ,sorted it and did a full service . Engineer was on time and v polite ,would recommend
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Allan Whittle
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Really good company , professional , efficient and last but not least , very honourable and friendly people to deal with !
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Julia Parkes
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I recently had my hot tub serviced by Nathan, and I couldn't be more pleased with the experience. Nathan was incredibly helpful and professional from start to finish. His deep understanding and knowledge of hot tubs were evident, and he provided excellent advice throughout the process. He worked efficiently, with no fuss, and was both polite and friendly, making the whole experience smooth and stress-free. The quality of his work was outstanding—my hot tub now feels as good as new!
The service was also extremely good value for money. The office staff were polite, honest, and went above and beyond to find the parts I needed at great prices. Their helpfulness and dedication made a real difference. I highly recommend this company for any hot tub service needs!
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Sarah Elphick
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Excellent customer service, knowledgeable team and nothing was too much trouble. They supported me every step of the way when I bought my hot tub. Install team also very polite and told me all the information I needed to know. Highly recommend if you are looking for a hot tub!
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laura Greaves
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Great service and products. We love our new hot tub and were really happy with the fast, friendly and professional service that we received. Maintenance was fully explained to us but it's great to know that they are only a phonecall away if we need any further assistance.
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Jason Taft
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Great service from showroom to installation
Nothing too much trouble for these guys
Not our first time using this company
Highly recommend to any one thinking of buying a hot tub or needing accessories
Very knowledgeable family owned and run business
We would Highly recommend them !
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Andrew Sutton
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We purchased a Hot Tub from EY Payne a couple of years ago, their communication from the moment we walked into their show room, right through to delivery was fantastic. We recently had a young lad called Nathan our to service and "winterize" the tub, it was a miserable day, but he was polite, efficient and generally very impressive. Would really recommend this company if you are considering a tub or pool!
