The Spa Doctor was the first to convert an electric portable spa to gas back in 2003 when we realised the features of the new electronic controllers were great but the electric heaters orthough being 100% efficient,had down falls like:

1. Took up to 10 hours to heat from cold.(with a hard cover ON)

2. In alot of cases couldnt maintain the heat whilst the spa blower was on.Hence the reason why some portable spas with small electric heaters dont have blowers!!

3. The fact you have to keep it hot the whole time even when your not using it, unless you want to wait hours for it to heat up every time.

4.The cost of electricity v's gas.

Can Every Portable Spa Be Converted To Gas?

Conversion Criteria

1.Your portable spa has a circulation/filtration/heater pump that can produce enough litres per minute to pump through the gas heater fast enough not to kettle or boil.
ie: a laing circulation pump does not have the required litres per minute flow rate. However it can be replaced with a larger circulation pump and the suction line may have to be enlarged also.Most 2 speed and single speed pumps with 40mm or 50mm suction lines are perfect.

2.You can locate a gas heater close enough (3 metres max) to the spa but having 500mm clearance around it or compliance to heater clearance regs and have a gas line connected to it.

Cost To Convert Spa Heater From Electric To Gas

1.Cost of the Spa Gas Heater

example: A 70megajule spa heater $1550
(heat up time for 2000 litres with a hard cover on) approx 1-1.5Hr.
A 120megajule fan forced wall mounted spa heater $2100
(heat up time for 2000 litres with a hardcover on) approx .5-1Hr.

2.Cost of the gas connection

Cost of connection of gas line from house gas or gas meter.This cost can only be determined by a licenced gas plumber with a site inspection.We work in conjunction with lincenced gas plumbers and can assist with obtaining the quote for you.

3.Cost of connection of plumbing and electronics from spa to heater

These costs vary also but on average around $250-$500 depending spa plumbing electronic controller type etc..

Summary

In total, alot of the conversions we have done have been around $2500 - $3000. The cost savings in your electricity bill and the reduced chemical usage due to not having to keep your spa hot the whole time, will pay itself off withen 1-1.5 years,(based on $500 a quater cost of electric heater from client reports. Not to mention the quick heat up time and a spa that will never go cold no matter how long your in it!