mw83
Ohio,#2Consumer Comment
Thu, January 06, 2011
This article and response from the employee is very helpful. I am currently in the market for a hot tub myself. I have been wondering why the hot tubs I have looked at only go up to 104. The employee that commented answered that question for me. On the other hand I have found that I will not be shopping at Litehouse for my hot tub. I think it is horrible that after spending 6000 dollars on something and you aren't satisfied with it the company wouldn't take it back.
I really hopes this company changes their policies otherwise they will not be having customers for very much longer.
Chris C.
Strongsville,#3UPDATE Employee
Tue, February 03, 2009
Regarding this complaint, spa manufacturers use the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission release #79-071 as a guideline to protect consumers from possible health risks associated with high water temperatures. Please see the attached pages for additional information regarding the release and the position of UL relating to this topic. Consumers can contact the CPSC directly for more information. This release was created 12/31/1979 so it is not new information and we do not recommend the use of any spa or hot tub where temperatures exceed the recommended maximum temperature of 104 degrees. Also, since this is the maximum recommended temperature, the spa is designed to not exceed this temperature. The heater will shut off slightly below this temperature by design as depending upon the place the temperature is measured by the customer and the accuracy of the device being used to measure the temperature, there may be some slight variations. We cannot make adjustments to the spa that would allow the temperature to possibly exceed 104 degrees. Also, we would strongly recommend that you consult with your child's physician or other medical professional prior to allowing the use of any hot tub. It is recommended that children under the age of 14 do not use hot tubs, especially at high temperatures. Reference: (((Redacted))) Many people question why their spa will only heat to 104 F. Throughout history public bathing was done at higher temperatures. Even today, in Japan, many public bath houses have water up to 115 F. In the United States and Canada (as well as most other parts of the world), spas are regulated to obtain a maximum temperature of 104 F. Prior to 1980 this was not the case, however on Dec 31, 1979, the Consumer Products Safety Commision (CSPC) released advisory #79-071, which warned of heat strokes caused by 106 F water. This advisory recommended 104F as the maximum temperature for a spa. Underwriters Laboratory (UL) adopted this advisory and lists it in their controlling document for home spas, #UL 1563 (Electric Spas, Equipment Assemblies, and Associated Equipment) The relevant portion of this document is section 32; Temperature Regulating Controls... 32.1 A unit shall be provided with a water temperature regulating control that has a maximum set point of 40 C (104 F) in the tub. 32.2 The temperature regulating control shall be adjustable and shall have marked settings, but it shall not have any settings marked hotter than 40 C (104 F). 32.3 A digital temperature regulating control that displays the selected temperature, but no higher than 40 C (104 F), may additionally display the actual temperature of the water. UL has advised that any spa manufacturer that produces a control (or modifies a standard control) to exceed 104 F is in violation of their UL listing and can have their listing pulled by UL. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Warns Of Hot Tub Temperatures Release # 79-071 December 31, 1979 WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 31, 1979) -- Safety officials frequently warn the public about the dangers of drinking and driving. Now the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is cautioning that drinking and hot tubing do not mix well either. According to CPSC staffers, the use of hot tubs at water temperatures above the normal body temperatures can cause drowsiness which may lead to unconsciousness and subsequently result in drowning. The risk of drowning is significantly heightened if individuals consume alcoholic beverages while, or prior to, soaking in hot water, CPSC staff warns. The Commission has been informed of 10 deaths recorded so far in 1979, three of which involved alcohol-related drowning in hot tubs heated to approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Even if no alcohol is consumed, extremely hot water during hot tub use can threaten life, CPSC reports. Soaking in a hot tub with water heated to 106 degrees Fahrenheit, for example, can raise human