Nothing lasts forever and hot tub pumps are no exception. If it's time to replace your hot tub pump, you're in the right place! In this article, we show you how to easily find a replacement hot tub pump that will work just as well as the one that it came with.

Why Not Buy Just Any Hot Tub Pump?

Buying a replacement hot tub pump from a hot tub manufacturer can be expensive. This has led many people to look to aftermarket hot tub pumps when their pumps die. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with this, you can't just buy any hot tub pump. You need to ensure that you buy the correct replacement pump for your hot tub. Why?

Different manufacturers configure their hot tubs differently. Buying a replacement hot tub pump with different specifications from the original pump can cause a lot of potential problems, from impacting the performance of the hot tub, to causing damage to the new pump and other hot tub components.

How To Choose The Right Replacement Hot Tub Pump

So how do you know which replacement hot tub pump to buy? Start by finding your current pump's info tag. A hot tub pump's info tag is a white or light grey sticker that is attached to the motor of the pump. It gives you the majority of the info that you need to be able to choose the correct replacement pump.

Frame Size

The first thing you need to look for is the "frame size" of the pump. Frame size is a measurement of the actual size of the pump and will help you ensure that you're buying a pump that is the same size as the one you currently have. Your pump will likely be either 56 frame or 48 frame.

Amperage

Next, look at the amp rating of the pump. This is the measurement of how much electricity the pump requires. This should exactly match the amp rating of your current hot tub pump.

Speed

Hot tub pumps are generally either 1 speed or 2 speed. A one speed pump is one that is either on or off where a 2 speed pump has both a low speed and high speed setting. In order for your hot tub to run and filter properly, it's very important that the replacement pump match your current pump.

If the replacement hot tub pump doesn't mention whether it is 1 speed or 2 speed you can easily tell by looking at the amp rating of the pump. If two numbers are given (16.4/4.8) then the pump is a two speed pump. The numbers given represent the pump's electrical draw at high speed and low speed, respectively.

Voltage

While the majority of hot tubs run on a 240V service, there are some that can also run at 120V. Before purchasing your replacement hot tub pump, make sure that the voltage rating is the same on both pumps.

Note: Some pump manufacturers list will 240V pumps as 230V and 120V as 115V. There is no practical difference between them and either can be used.

Plumbing Size & Configuration

There is one more thing you ned to consider after looking at the pump sticker; the plumbing. Hot tub pumps typically have either 1-1/2" or 2" fittings. While buying a pump with the wrong sized fittings isn't the end of the world, it can make for a ton of extra plumbing work when it comes time to install the new pump. 

When measuring your fittings, be sure to measure the “inside diameter” fo the fittings.

Before purchasing a replacement pump, you should take the time to quickly measure the plumbing fittings on your current pump to ensure that the replacement hot tub pump will fit in easily.

You'll also want to note which way the plumbing "discharges". Depending on the plumbing layout, hot tub pumps can discharge water from the centre (left below) of the pump, or on the side (right below). To save yourself some plumbing work during install time, make sure that both pumps match before buying your replacement. 

Horsepower

The horsepower rating of hot tub pumps can be misleading as there are 2 ways to measure it and the way that it is measured is rarely disclosed on the pump. For this reason, you don't really need to worry about the horsepower rating of the old hot tub pump vs your new pump. If you ensure that they both have the same frame size and same amperage then they will both have the same power; regardless of their respective horsepower ratings.

Wrapping Up

Choosing the right replacement hot tub pump can seem challenging at first but if you know what to look for it is actually quite straightforward. If it's time to replace your hot tub pump, following this guide will ensure that you get an aftermarket hot tub pump that will work just as good as the one that came with the hot tub, for much less than one sold by the manufacturer!