Can You Have a Hot Tub in Conservatory or Garden Room

Many people opt to have a hot tub outside in their backyard, perhaps on a terrace, a deck, maybe out in the garden under a gazebo or some other structure. But there is a lot to be said in favor of having a hot tub inside, particularly in an area with a very cold or rainy winter climate.

Often the most logical place to put a hot tub inside is in a conservatory or garden room.

But is that possible or even sensible? Can you actually have a hot tub in a conservatory or garden room? What about having a hot tub in a garage?

What is a conservatory or garden room?

First, let’s define what a conservatory and a garden room are.

• A conservatory is a structure with a glass or transparent roof and walls, typically attached to a house, used as a sunroom or greenhouse.
• A garden room, on the other hand, is a freestanding structure that is separate from the house and used for leisure or as an additional living space.

Both conservatories and garden rooms are meant to bring the outdoors in and provide a space to enjoy nature and the elements.

Things to consider before installing a hot tub in a conservatory

So, can you have a hot tub in a conservatory or garden room? The short answer is yes, but there are some considerations to keep in mind.

Hot tub weight

First and foremost, weight is an important factor to consider when installing a hot tub in any structure, including a conservatory or garden room. Hot tubs can be quite heavy, with some models weighing over 1,000 pounds.

It’s important to ensure that the floor of the conservatory or garden room is sturdy enough to support the weight of the hot tub and any additional people who may be using it. If the floor is not strong enough, it could potentially collapse, causing serious injury or damage.

My wife and I had a conservatory built onto our home when we were living in the UK 20 years or so years ago and had the floor specially strengthened during the build to ensure it could handle the weight.

Hot tub size

Another consideration is the size of the hot tub and the size of the conservatory or garden room. You’ll need to make sure that the hot tub fits comfortably in the space and that there is enough room around it for people to move around and access it safely.

It’s also important to consider the height of the ceiling and whether or not the hot tub will fit under it. And don’t forget to ensure that you can get the hot tub through the doors to install it. You can move it on its side which may make it fit easier.

Hot tub electrics and plumbing

In addition to weight and size, there are also electrical and plumbing considerations to keep in mind. A hot tub will need to be connected to a dedicated power source (unless it is a plug-in inflatable hot tub).

If you’re planning to install a hot tub in a conservatory or garden room, it’s important to make sure that the electrical systems are capable of handling the additional demand. This will require the services of a qualified electrician.

A hot tub does not need to be plumbed in. It can be filled with a hose pipe and emptied with a submersible pump.

As my rear garden sloped away from the conservatory I normally just used a hose as a siphon to empty my hot tub.

Ventilation

Another important factor to consider is ventilation. Hot tubs generate a lot of heat and moisture, which can be problematic in a conservatory or garden room if not properly ventilated.

It’s important to ensure that the space has adequate ventilation to prevent excess heat and moisture from building up, which can lead to damage to the structure and create an uncomfortable environment for users.

We never had a problem with this in our conservatory hot tub. When the hot tub cover was on there was little or no condensation. When the hot tub was in use we simply opened a few windows which kept the condensation at bay.

Benefits of a hot tub in a conservatory

One of the great things about having a hot tub indoors in a conservatory is that you can use it all year. Sure, if it is outdoors you may be brave enough to use it in the winter when there is snow on the ground or there is a howling cold northerly wind but how likely are you to do that?

I am sure that my wife and I would not have used ours at all in the winter if it wasn’t in our conservatory but we used it at least 3-4 times per week normally as it was so enjoyable.

Even in the summer, it was almost as though it was outside as we had double doors out into the garden right by the hot tub that we could open.

We used to love sitting in the hot tub at night looking out at the garden covered in snow and watching the foxes and other wildlife eating the food we had put out for them.

If your hot tub is inside, rather than outside, during cold weather you will save money on electricity as the hot tub’s heater won’t have to work so hard to keep the water temperature at the desired level.

Can you put a hot tub in a garage?

Particularly if you have an inflatable hot tub and only use it in the winter then having a hot tub in garage space is a great idea.

It means you can use it without freezing to death by having it outside, plus it will mean the heater doesn’t have to work so hard to keep the temperature up to the desired level. That will reduce your electricity costs too.

In conclusion, it is possible to have a hot tub in a conservatory or garden room, but there are several important considerations to keep in mind.

Weight, size, electrical and plumbing requirements, ventilation, and weather all play a role in determining whether or not a hot tub is a viable option for a conservatory or garden room.

If you have just bought a hot tub you may want to know how much chlorine to add to hot tub so click on the link to find out.