In-ground spas, including those built inside a pool, are not recommended by Enhanced Pools for Idaho homeowners. If you lived in a climate that did not experience the freeze-thaw cycle every year, we would wholeheartedly recommend it. However, we cannot make that recommendation here.
We know how to do them, and if someone really wants one, we will do it, but we don’t recommend them for the following reasons:
1) You’ll never get a similar number of jets in an in-ground spa as you’d get in an above-ground manufactured spa. In fact, it won’t be close. Manufactured spas use patented technology to provide many jets. They also have a greater capacity within the spa’s body to deliver jets to their intended locations.
2) There is no insulation around an in-ground spa. Above-ground spas add insulation to the spa structure to improve energy efficiency. A stand-alone in-ground spa can use a spa cover to retain some heat, but there is no insulation in the ground to help it retain heat. A manufactured spa features insulation and a thick cover to retain heat, making it more energy-efficient.
3) A spa that is built inside the perimeter of the pool with an auto cover requires it to be retracted enough to “open” the spa. Most pools in Idaho are winterized (shut down) for the winter, which can create issues when removing the pool cover to access the spa. For example, a pool cover can freeze to the track, preventing removal until the ambient temperature rises. People don’t open their automatic pool covers after their pools have been winterized.
After learning these facts, most people decide to either skip the spa or buy a manufactured spa. Some still prefer an in-ground spa because a raised spa enhances the pool design, or they have always wanted an in-ground spa and are willing to accept the disadvantages.
If you know these things and you still want a spa, we would be more than happy to build one for you. We want to educate our customers so they can make informed decisions.