To Winterize or Not? A Step-By-Step Guide. | Hot Spring of Kansas City

To Winterize or Not? A Step-By-Step Guide.

Kansas City winters are no joke! Icy temperatures, snow, and wind can make you wonder what to do with your hot tub. Should you drain it and shut it down, or keep it running through the cold months?

At Hot Spring Spas of Kansas City, we typically do not recommend full winterization. In most cases, keeping water in your spa and running it year-round is the best way to protect your investment. A properly maintained hot tub stays warm, insulated, and ready to use even on the coldest days, and you’ll avoid the potential risks that come with leaving it empty.

That said, there are some situations where winterizing may still make sense. Let’s explore both sides.

Why Keeping Water in Your Hot Tub Is Beneficial

Water Helps Protect Internal Components
When your hot tub is full and properly heated, the water acts as insulation for your plumbing and equipment. It helps regulate temperature and prevents freezing. If you drain the spa and a cold snap hits, residual moisture can freeze and expand, leading to cracked plumbing, pump damage, or broken heater assemblies.

2. Modern Hot Tubs Are Designed for Cold Weather
Models like the Hot Spring® Highlife® and Limelight® Collections feature advanced insulation and energy-efficient heaters designed for year-round operation. These systems handle extreme conditions, especially when paired with a tight-sealing insulated cover.

3. Continuous Operation Is More Energy Efficient
It may sound counterintuitive, but maintaining a consistent temperature is more efficient than reheating. A full, covered spa loses heat slowly, keeping your energy bills predictable.

4. Year-Round Wellness and Comfort
Winter is one of the best times to enjoy your hot tub. Keeping your spa open offers warm hydrotherapy and stress relief even on cold nights.

When You Might Need to Winterize

While keeping your spa running is ideal, certain situations may warrant temporary winterization:

Extended Travel or Seasonal Vacancies — If you’ll be away for weeks and can’t monitor your spa, winterization may be safer.
Power Loss Risks — In areas with frequent or extended outages, winterizing prevents freeze damage.
Major Renovations or Relocation — If moving or remodeling, draining may be necessary, but should be done carefully.

Why Professional Winterization Matters

Improper DIY winterization often causes the very problems people are trying to prevent. Even small amounts of trapped water can freeze and crack internal plumbing or damage pumps.

If you must winterize, always hire professionals. The team at Hot Spring Spas of Kansas City:

Safely drains and clears plumbing lines
Cleans and stores filters properly
Inspects for leaks, insulation gaps, and wear
Protects the spa with a weather-rated cover

Schedule your winterization service through our Hot Tub Services page to ensure your spa is protected the right way.

How to Maintain Your Spa Through the Cold Months

If you plan to keep your spa filled and running (which we recommend), follow these tips:

Check water chemistry weekly using SpaGuard or SpaPure products.
Inspect and clean your cover to keep it sealed and insulated.
Run circulation cycles daily.
Gently remove snow and ice from the cover.
Maintain a stable temperature to prevent freeze-thaw stress.

The Bottom Line

In most Kansas City homes, the best winter plan is to keep your hot tub filled, heated, and circulating. Draining it completely introduces more risk than reward.

However, if you’ll be away for an extended time or lack a reliable power source, professional winterization is a smart precaution.

At Hot Spring Spas of Kansas City, our experts can help you decide what’s best for your situation and handle every step if winterization is needed.

Not sure if you should winterize your hot tub?

Visit our Services page or stop by our KC showroom. We’ll help you keep your spa safe, efficient, and ready for the perfect soak all year long.