Cold plunge tubs in Langley

A cold plunge tub is a small, insulated tub with a chiller that holds the water at the cold temperature you set, plus filtration so the water stays clean between changes. You can see cold plunge tubs at our Langley showroom and talk through where one would go, what power it needs and how it fits next to a hot tub.

Why a chiller instead of ice

A tub filled with ice works for an occasional plunge, but it's a lot of ice and effort for a few minutes in the water, and the water warms up again. A plunge tub with a chiller holds its temperature day after day. Its filter and sanitizer keep the water clean for weeks, and a cover keeps out leaves and rain.

Our guide to cold plunge tubs at home compares chiller tubs with ice baths, barrel tubs and the other options people try.

Choosing a cold plunge tub

Size and shape

Some plunge tubs are upright, so you sit with your knees bent. Others are long enough to lie back. A larger tub holds more water, which takes longer to chill. Try sitting in one if you can, especially if you're tall.

How cold it gets

Chillers vary in how much cooling they can do. The real test is a hot summer day, when the chiller is working against warm air and the sun. Ask how cold a tub can hold the water in warm weather, not just the lowest number on the dial. In winter here, a tub outdoors may need very little chilling at all.

Keeping the water clean

Look for a proper filter and a sanitizing system, such as ozone or UV, plus a sanitizer you add. Water that's cold and still can still grow bacteria, especially with people getting in and out. A plunge tub you can drain and clean easily makes life simpler.

Insulation and a cover

An insulated tub and a fitted cover keep the chiller from running constantly, especially in summer sun. Outdoors, the cover also keeps rain and debris out.

Indoor or outdoor

Plunge tubs work in a garage, a basement gym or outside on a patio. Indoors, think about the floor (it has to carry the weight of the water and you), drainage, and spills. Outdoors, think about shade, a level base and how the tub handles rain and frost. Ask about noise if it will sit near a bedroom window.

Power

Many cold plunge tubs run on a standard 120-volt outlet, but some need a dedicated circuit, and any outdoor outlet must be GFCI-protected. Check the model's requirements before you buy, and if a new outlet or circuit is needed, that's electrical work with a permit. See hot tub electrical.

Hot and cold together

Many people pair a plunge tub with a hot tub and go back and forth between the two. If you're planning both, it's worth placing them close together on the same base or patio, and planning the electrical for both at once.

Looking after a plunge tub

Keep the filter clean, test the sanitizer regularly and keep the cover on between uses. Rinsing off before you get in keeps the water cleaner for longer. Drain and refill on the schedule the manufacturer recommends, or sooner with heavy use. Test strips, sanitizer and filters are on our chemicals and supplies page.

Safety and your health

Cold water causes a strong shock response: a gasp and a jump in heart rate and breathing. Talk to your doctor before you start cold plunging, especially if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure. Never plunge alone, after drinking or with young children unsupervised, and keep the cover secured when the tub isn't in use.