Everything you need to know about spa blowers - how they work, costs and how to install
One of the relaxing elements in a spa is the gentle massage that your spa water jets and air jets can provide. In this article we’ll describe how a spa blower creates this effect in your spa water - and some things you should know about spa blowers.
In this article, we answer these questions:
And more!
A blower uses a fan to force air through tubing that runs through your spa and out through your spa jets. It essentially operates like a large hair dryer. Blowers can be connected to air jets which are often installed in the base of seating areas and provide air massage to soft tissue areas (like your backside!)
The air created by a blower can also be injected into your spa water to create a much more powerful force to your spa jets, enabling you to enjoy more intense hydrotherapy massage!
A spa blower is usually cylindrical shaped - around 6 to 8 inches in diameter and about 10 to 12 inches long. It will have a power cable connected to it and a large air outlet, usually between 40 - 50mm in diameter.
Yes your spa can operate just fine without a blower. You may not get the same benefits of the extra force coming out of your jets that a blower can provide, but your spa can certainly run without the blower.
In most modern spas, the blower control is located on your spa’s touchpad and you can turn your blower on, just by tapping the appropriate button.
Turn on Spa blower on SpaNet controller
In older spas, your spa blower may be controlled by its own button somewhere on the spa. Consult your owners manual if you're unsure.
As a general rule, standard 700W - 800W spa blowers cost between $300 - $400, depending on the model and output power capacity. Larger blowers or models with heaters may cost more.
If you suspect your spa blower has stopped working, here are some things you can do to test it.
To test your spa blower, you can open up your spa cabinetry and disconnect the air hose and check valve that comes out of your spa blower. Leave the check valve in place on the air line so it will remain closed and stop water coming back up your airline.
With the air hose disconnected, turn your blower on, using your touch pad or blower control button.
Gently place your hand over the air outlet of the blower to determine if you feel airflow. If you feel strong airflow, that will indicate that the blower is probably OK and the issue may lie in your air line or in the jets themselves.
If you don’t feel any airflow, then most likely you will need to replace your blower. Because blowers are relatively affordable, it is not cost effective to repair them, so we recommend that you replace a faulty blower with a new one.
Lower air pressure can be caused by a number of factors. The first reason that your air pressure may be low is that your blower is beginning to fail. You can use the steps above to test the air output from your blower.
The other thing that can cause reduced air pressure is if your jets are beginning to fail. Jets do not last for ever. Over time they can deteriorate and develop calcium deposits which reduce their flow.
The obvious thing to check is if your jets are in fact in the open position. Jets can be manually opened or closed by either rotating them or pulling them in/out. Consult your spa owners manual to ensure that your air jets are properly opened for optimal air flow.
The size of the blower you need in your spa will depend on the number of air jets that are in your spa, the distance that your airline runs and the water depth. A smaller number of jets and shorter line run distance will require a smaller blower and a larger number of jets will require a larger blower.
One of the best spa blowers available is the SpaNet® SA-10 Spa Air Blower. With a powerful 750W (1.0HP) output, it has plenty of power for most portable spas and swim spas in the Australian market.
It has a 40mm output which is compatible with many spa systems. With a max RPM of 2850RPM, it has quiet operation while still outputting plenty of air.
Another excellent spa blower is the LX APR800, which is a suitable replacement for almost all spa blowers. It comes with an AMP cord connection - meaning it will connect into many standard spa controller units.
The APR800 also has a 180W heater element in it, adding some additional heat to the airlines. It comes with a 1.5" / 40mm threaded union which will suit most spa systems.
If your old spa blower has failed, or you didn’t have a blower in your spa, you can follow the steps below to install a new blower.
Disconnect the main power cord from your spa, or turn off the circuit breaker that feeds power to your spa.
Disconnect the power cable that runs from the existing blower to your spa controller or to a power source. Remove the air line that connects to the outlet of the existing blower.
Place the new blower into its location and fix it securely in place with mounting bolts. If you’re replacing another blower, it’s best to put it in the same place as the one you are replacing to avoid having to change any plumbing.
The power cable on the blower will often have an AMP connection on the end of it (like the image below), which is designed to connect into your spa controller. If your controller requires a different connection, you can cut the AMP plug off and attach a different connector. *
A check valve stops water from running back up the airline and entering the blower. The blower in your spa does not have a ‘wet end’ which means it is not designed to have water flowing through it, unlike your circulation or boost pump. The check valve is essential to keep water flowing back up the airlines and entering the blower.
Install the check valve in the correct direction so that it opens with the force of air from the blower, but closes with any water flowing back up the line. There is usually a directional arrow on the check valve to show you the correct way to connect it.
Connect the air line to the end of the check valve.
Once you have connected everything it’s time to close up the side panels on your spa again.
The last step is to reconnect the power or turn your main circuit breaker back on.
Have questions about spa blowers or the installation process?
We can help you select the right blower for your spa and recommend a technician in your area if you need help.
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